Flag of Botswana
Sub-Saharan Africa · BW · Vector source, 4:3 aspect ratio
- RegionSub-Saharan Africa
- ISO codeBW
- Source formatSVG (infinitely scalable)
- Available downloadsSVG · PNG · JPG · WEBP · ICO · PDF
Download the flag of Botswana as SVG, PNG, JPG, WEBP, ICO or PDF in any resolution you need.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Botswana |
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| Country | Botswana |
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| Official Name | Republic of Botswana |
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| Capital | Gaborone |
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| Continent | Africa |
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| Region | Southern Africa |
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| ISO Code | BW / BWA |
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| Internet Domain | .bw |
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| Calling Code | +267 |
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| Currency | Botswana pula (BWP) |
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| Official Language(s) | English, Tswana |
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| Demonym | Motswana |
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| Area | 582,000 km² |
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| Population | 2,254,126 (approx.) |
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| Coastline | Landlocked — no sea coast |
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| United Nations Member | Yes |
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Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Botswana |
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| Current Version Adopted | 30 September 1966 |
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| Design First Used | 1966 |
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| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
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| Flag Shape | Rectangular |
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| Number of Colours | 3 |
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| Main Colours | Light Blue, Black, White |
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| Designer | Government design committee |
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| Design Type | Horizontal bands with a black stripe fimbriated in white |
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| Nickname | No widely used nickname |
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| Official Status | Official national flag |
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| Governing Authority | Government of Botswana |
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Flag Colour Information
| Colour | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK | Pantone |
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| Light Blue | | #75AADB | 117, 170, 219 | 47, 22, 0, 14 | No official Pantone reference |
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| Black | | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | No official Pantone reference |
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| White | | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | No official Pantone reference |
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Flag Design and Symbolism
| Black and white bands | Deliberately chosen for racial harmony, in contrast with the apartheid state on the border at the time of independence |
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| Light Blue | Stands for water and rain, the country’s scarcest resource, from the motto Pula. |
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| Black | Stands for the people of Botswana, side by side with white. |
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| White | Stands for racial harmony, set against the black. |
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Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
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| 30 September 1966 | Raised at independence from the United Kingdom |
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| Present | The flag remains in official use |
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Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio (height : width) | 2:3 |
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| Hoist (height) | 2 units |
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| Fly (width) | 3 units |
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| Layout | Horizontal bands with a black stripe fimbriated in white |
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| Band / Stripe Construction | The black band is one fifth of the height, with white fimbriations one thirtieth |
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| Construction Sheet Available | Yes |
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| Governing Specification | Botswana National Flag Regulations |
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How the Flag of Botswana Is Used
| Setting | Flown | Notes |
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| Government buildings | Yes | Flown on official premises |
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| Schools and public institutions | Yes | Common in daily and ceremonial use |
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| Private and civil use | Yes | May be flown by members of the public |
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| Public holidays and commemorations | Yes | Displayed on national days of remembrance |
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| Armed forces | No | No separate military flag is in use |
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| Naval ensign | No | Landlocked — no seagoing navy |
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| Embassies and consulates | Yes | Flown at diplomatic missions abroad |
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| International sport | Yes | Used at the Olympic Games and world championships |
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| United Nations building | Yes | Flown in the row of member states |
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Other Official Flags of Botswana
| Flag Type | Purpose | In Use |
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| National flag | The primary flag shown on this page | Yes |
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| Civil flag | Flown by private citizens and organisations | Yes |
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| War flag | Carried by the armed forces on land | No |
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| Naval ensign | Flown at sea by naval and merchant vessels | No |
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| Air force ensign | Used by the air force | No |
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| Presidential standard | Marks the presence of the head of state | Yes |
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| Royal standard | Marks the presence of the monarch | No |
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| Historical flags | Earlier designs no longer in official use | Not documented |
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Quick Facts About the Flag
| Years in Use (current design) | 60 years |
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| Adoption Date | 30 September 1966 |
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| Earliest Recorded Use | 1966 |
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| Designer | Government design committee |
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| Nickname | No widely used nickname |
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| Dominant Colour | Light Blue |
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| Flags It Resembles | No close relatives among national flags |
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| Notable Feature | Horizontal bands with a black stripe fimbriated in white |
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