Botswana: From Bechuanaland Protectorate to Southern Africa's 'Peaceful Nation'
With a population of 2.5 million, Botswana is often referred to as "The Peaceful Nation" for its success in steering clear of regional disputes. It is thought that modern humans emerged in this area approximately 200,000 years ago, alongside the discovery of stone tools that date back two million years. The KhoiSan peoples were among the earliest residents, and today, the San (Basarwa) represent 2.8% of the population. By 1600, the Tswana had settled in the region, and the first Europeans arrived in 1816. In 1885, Botswana became the Bechuanaland Protectorate, gaining independence on September 30, 1966, with Seretse Khama as its inaugural president. The discovery of diamonds in 1967 spurred significant economic growth, but in 2024, the Umbrella for Democratic Change took power from the BDP.
Key facts
- Botswana is home to around 2.5 million people and is nicknamed "The Peaceful Nation"
- One theory suggests the region was the birthplace of modern humans around 200,000 years ago, with stone tools dating back two million years
- The San, known locally as the Basarwa, make up around 2.8 percent of Botswana's population today
- Toutswe societies flourished east of the Kalahari from around AD 700 to AD 1300
- The first Europeans arrived in the Botswana area in 1816; David Livingstone arrived in 1841 and established the first school
- A Tswana coalition led by Sechele I defeated the Boers at the Battle of Dimawe in 1852, with an agreement reached in 1860
- The Bechuanaland Protectorate was declared in 1885, with borders extended north in 1890 by agreement with Germany
- Botswana gained independence on September 30, 1966, with Seretse Khama as first president; diamonds were discovered in 1967
- Botswana had the fastest-growing economy in the world from 1960 to 1980
- The BDP lost the 2024 election to the Umbrella for Democratic Change
Entities
Artists
- David Livingstone
- Sechele I
- Bathoen I
- Khama III
- Sebele I
- Cecil John Rhodes
- Seretse Khama
- Ruth Williams Khama
- Cyril Ramaphosa
- Duma Boko
- G. S. Smithard
- J. R. Skelton
- Diego Delso
- AoneMokwena
- Cloudcounter
- Mopane Game Safaris
Institutions
- London Missionary Society
- British South Africa Company
- Bechuanaland Democratic Party
- Botswana National Front
- Umbrella for Democratic Change
- African National Congress
- World Economic Forum
- The Collector
- BBC
- Wikimedia Commons
- Kutlwano Magazine
Locations
- Botswana
- Southern Africa
- Kalahari
- Okavango Delta
- Gaborone
- Francistown
- Mafeking
- South Africa
- Zimbabwe
- Namibia
- Angola
- South West Africa
- Rhodesia
- Cape Province
- Kimberley
- Mapungubwe
- Great Zimbabwe
- Butua Kingdom
- Bechuanaland
- London
- England
- Germany
- United Kingdom