Botswana - Republic of

The Republic of Botswana, is a landlocked nation in southern Africa. Formerly known as the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, it adopted the name Botswana upon its independence from Britain and admission to full membership within the Commonwealth on September 30, 1966.

The national flag of Botswana was adopted upon independence. It consists of a light blue field with a black horizontal band across the centre, with white fimbriation. The color blue symbolises water in the form of rain. It is taken from the motto of the Botswanian coat of arms, which states Pula, the Tswana word for "Let there be rain". The white and black bands symbolise racial harmony, and the zebra which support the nation's coat of arms.