Factbook
Histoire de Botswana — Chronologie
Dates clés de l'histoire de Botswana, d'après le Factbook Magna et l'Encyclopédie universelle.
1852In 1852, Tswana forces halted the expansion of white Afrikaner settlers who were seeking to expand their territory northwards into what is now Botswana.
1885In 1885, Great Britain claimed territory that roughly corresponds with modern day Botswana as a protectorate called Bechuanaland.
1966Independence: 30 September 1966 (from the UK).
1966Upon independence in 1966, the British protectorate of Bechuanaland adopted the new name of Botswana, which means "land of the Tswana." More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created an enduring democracy and upper-middle-income economy.
2011Languages: Setswana 77.3%, Sekalanga 7.4%, Shekgalagadi 3.4%, English (official) 2.8%, Zezuru/Shona 2%, Sesarwa 1.7%, Sembukushu 1.6%, Ndebele 1%, other 2.8% (2011 est.) Religions: Christian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, other 1.4% (includes Baha'i, Hindu, Muslim, Rastafarian), none 15.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.) Urban population: 72.9% of total population (2023).
2018Major urban areas: 269,000 GABORONE (capital) (2018) good economic governance and financial management; diamond-driven growth model declining; rapid poverty reductions; high unemployment, particularly among youth; COVID-19 sharply contracted the economy and recovery is slow; public sector wages have posed fiscal challenges Inflation: 2.8% (2024 est.).
2018The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won every national election since independence; President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe MASISI assumed the presidency in 2018 after the retirement of former President Ian KHAMA due to constitutional term limits.
2019MASISI won his first election as president in 2019, and he is Botswana’s fifth president since independence.
2023Generation mix — fossil fuels: 99.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) Energy use: 32.443 million Btu/person (2023 est.).
2023Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; beef processing; textiles Agriculture: root vegetables, beef, vegetables, sorghum, maize, game meat, milk, watermelons, goat milk, sunflower seeds (2023) Electricity access: 75.9% (2022 est.).
2024Military spending: 3% of GDP (2024 est.).
