Border history · 1886–2023

Botswana borders over time

CShapes records 3 changes to the borders of Botswana between 1886 and 2023. It has been independent since September 30, 1966. Its territory covers 578,322 km², more than the 308,337 km² it covered in 1886. The largest single change came on July 1, 1890, when it gained about 268,168 km².

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Border changes
3
Area today
578,322 km²
Largest change
+268,168 km² (1890)
Status
Independent since 1966
September 30, 1966 – presentChoose a period to see its borders. The dashed line is the period before.

Timeline of Botswana's borders

Each period is one border version in CShapes, with its area and the change from the period before.

  1. January 1, 1886 – June 30, 1890

    308,337 km²First recorded versionRuled by United KingdomWorld map in 1886

  2. July 1, 1890 – November 15, 1895

    576,505 km²+268,168 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1890

  3. November 16, 1895 – September 29, 1966

    578,322 km²+1,817 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1896

  4. September 30, 1966 – present

    578,322 km²±0 km²IndependentWorld map in 1967

What changed

Independence, transfers between rulers, and border changes recorded for this country.

  1. Botswana gains about 268,168 km² of territory.
  2. Botswana gains about 1,817 km² of territory.
  3. Botswana becomes independent from United Kingdom.