The national flag of Botswana features a light blue field cut horizontally in the midpoint by a black stripe with a thin white border. Accepted in 1966 to substitute the Union Jack, Botswana Flag has been the flag of the Republic of Botswana meanwhile the country increased independence that year. It is one of the few African flags came up with its own design and framework.
Botswana's national flag landscapes light blue, black, and white horizontal bands of fluctuating thicknesses. Thick light blue bands are delimited at the top and bottom of the flag, trailed by thin white bands, and a black bank in the midpoint. Botswana expanded independence from the UK in 1966, and approved the new flag as a replacement for the Union Jack that had been imposed in order to demonstrate British colonial rule. Botswana is among a limited number of countries that did not comprise red, green, and yellow on its flag.
Botswana, which was known earlier as Bechuanaland gained freedom from Britain in 1966. Before the independence, Botswana did have its own colonial flag. The national flag of Botswana was created on 30 September 1966.
As mentioned, the nation Bechuanaland, which is Botswana now, was ruled by United Kingdom. During that period, the nation adopted the flag of the United Kingdom serving as the de facto flag of the protectorate. However, after the independence, the current flag was approved by the government. It was emblematically designed to contrast with the flag of South Africa. The black stripe with the white frame derived to epitomize the peace and accord between the people of African and European descent.
The colors of the flag transmit cultural, political, and regional meanings. The light blue signifies water, as it is a valuable resource in Botswana. Also, it relies on agriculture and grieves from frequent droughts due to the dry and arid climate. The blue also refers to the motto contained on the coat of arms of Botswana.
The black band with the white edge has two meanings; first, harmony and second, cooperation between the people of different races in Botswana. Also, they signify the stripes of the zebra, the national animal of Botswana. Botswana's national flag features significant symbolism. The flag represents the peace and concurrence between the blacks and whites residing in Botswana. Every color embedded in the flag has social, administrative and local significance. The coat of arms in the flag depicts the meaning "Let there be rain.”
The country, Botswana is situated in African continent. It is a landlocked country located in the south-west part of the continent. Botswana shares boundaries with four countries - South Africa to the south, Namibia to the west, Zimbabwe to the east, and north shares a tiny section of its border with Zambia in the northeast. The nation has 22.9 lakhs of population which marks population density (people per sq. km) at 3.9706 sq. Km. Botswana has Parliamentary Republic with parliamentary representative democracy with the capital city being Gaborone.
The official language of Botswana is English and Tswana and the currency is Botswana Pula. Botswana comprises of two letters Botswana code i.e. AL and its three letters Botswana code is ALB and in digits it is 072. The calling code is +267 and the UTC i.e. standard time followed in Botswana is UTC +2 hours. Being a parliamentary republic, Botswana comprises a total of four independent provinces. These include: Central District, Kgatleng District, Kweneng District, and South-East District.
| Country | Botswana |
|---|---|
| Continent | Africa |
| Official languages | English, Setswana |
| Capital | Gaborone |
| Currency | Botswana pula P (BWP) |
| CET | UTC+02:00 |
|---|---|
| CEST | UTC+02:00 |
| Internet TLD | BW |
|---|---|
| Three-letter country code | BWA |
| Three-digit country code | 072 |
| Calling code | +267 |