A landlocked country in southern Africa, Botswana has a population of 2,155,784 (2014 estimate), with about 11% to 12% of the population living in Gaborone, the country’s capital, and remains one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. It was occupied by the British in 1885, gained independence in 1966, and has been a representative democracy and one of the most stable democracies in Africa, sharing borders with South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and a very small border with Zambia.

British rule began with the establishment of the Bechuanaland Protectorate on March 31, 1885. This occurred at a time when there was a war fought by the Tswana, who were facing incursions by the Ndebele people from the east. Bechuanaland remained at peace during the ...