Page 105 - (DK) Complete Flags of the World

Africa

Botswana

Ratio: 2:3 Adopted: September 30, 1966 Usage: National and Civil

Black and white Blue represents both
symbolize the water and life
harmony of the
people

Africa
IMBABWE
:IM Botswana, originally known as British
.AMIBIA
"/437!.!
"/437 !.! Bechuanaland, is now known by its Setswana
3 !FRICA name. Independence was achieved in 1966.
3
Unusually for Africa, the national stripe fimbriated with white in
flag of Botswana is not derived the center of the flag represents the
from that of the dominant political idea of the African and European
party. Neither does it use the populations of Botswana living
pan-African colors. together in harmony.

PULA—LIFE-GIVING RAIN ARMS OF BOTSWANA
Instead, it is based on the idea of The coat of arms which appears on
life-giving rain, an essential element the President’s Flag was adopted in
in the drought-prone country. This 1966. The African shield depicts
is also reflected in the Setswana three cog-wheels and a bull’s head
word pula, which forms the national separated by three wavy bars of
motto. This means not only “water” water. The supporters are two
and “rain” but also the life that is zebra, holding an elephant tusk
derived from it. and a sorghum plant, the country’s
The two horizontal blue stripes staple crop. Some also interpret
represent rain and water. The the zebra, with their black and
importance of water is also a feature white stripes, as being symbolic
on the flag of Lesotho. The black of racial integration.

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