Botswana, 1966-present Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new n

Botswana, 1966-present

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Namibia to the west, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. Its border with Zambia in the north is at most is a few hundred metres long.

The light blue represents water, specifically, in its form of rain, as it is a precious resource in Botswana, which suffers from frequent droughts. Black and white symbolize the harmony and cooperation between the people of different races, as well as the racial diversity. Furthermore, they represent the zebra, the national animal of Botswana.

The flag, adopted with Botswana’s independence from Britain in 1966, is one of the few African flags that utilizes neither the colours of the Pan-Africanist movement nor the colours of the country’s leading political party.