Botswana
Botswana is a state in South Africa and Namibia (Central and Southern Africa) that has existed since 1966 CE. Its people spoke Bantu languages (Kongo, Shona, Zulu, Swahili, Luba, Ganda).
Seretse Khama led Botswana to independence in 1966. Diamonds found in 1967 funded decades of steady growth, and the Botswana Democratic Party governed until it lost the 2024 election.
See Botswana on the interactive timeline
Facts
- Dates
- 1966 CE to the present
- Duration
- 59 years
- Type
- State
- Region
- South Africa and Namibia, Central and Southern Africa
- Language family
- Bantu
- Capital
- Gaborone
Came from
Events in Central and Southern Africa during its time
- Rwandan genocide
- Mandela elected president
Neighbours in Central and Southern Africa
- Republic of South Africa (apartheid era)
- South Africa
- Kingdom of Buganda
- Portuguese Mozambique
- Portuguese Angola
- Madagascar
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Kenya
Elsewhere in the world at the same time
- Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty)
- Portuguese Empire
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Haiti
- Commonwealth of Australia
- Indonesia
- Republic of India
- People's Republic of China
- Soviet Union
Questions
When did Botswana exist?
1966 CE to the present, about 59 years.
Where was Botswana?
South Africa and Namibia, in Central and Southern Africa. Its capital was Gaborone.
What language did Botswana speak?
Bantu. This family includes Kongo, Shona, Zulu, Swahili, Luba, Ganda.
What came before Botswana?
Bechuanaland Protectorate.