{ "meta": { "country": "Botswana", "slug": "botswana", "generated": "2026-10-20", "count": 64, "note": "'Did you know' facts for the Botswana history site. Each fact starts with 'Did you know that', is sourced from English Wikipedia (first source) and is sorted by year with timeless facts last. Facts about 2024-2026 reflect sources checked up to October 2026." }, "facts": [ { "id": "botswana-fact-001", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says rock art in Botswana begins about 30,000 years ago, and UNESCO says Tsodilo alone holds over 4,500 paintings in about 10 square kilometres of the Kalahari, one of the highest concentrations of rock art in the world.", "hook": "Botswana's rock art goes back about 30,000 years.", "category": "Heritage", "year": -30000, "yearDisplay": "c. 30,000 years ago", "era": "PREHISTORY, SAN HERDERS & EARLY STATES", "eraIndex": 0, "relatedEventTitle": "Rock Art Tradition of the Tsodilo Hills", "location": "Tsodilo Hills, Botswana", "lat": -18.75, "lon": 21.7333, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsodilo", "https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1021/" ], "themes": [ "rock art", "Tsodilo", "San" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-002", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the Kalanga were the first Bantu people to settle in present-day Botswana, around 200 CE, and that the ancestors of the Tswana followed roughly two centuries later.", "hook": "The Kalanga were Botswana's first Bantu settlers.", "category": "Heritage", "year": 200, "yearDisplay": "c. 200 CE", "era": "PREHISTORY, SAN HERDERS & EARLY STATES", "eraIndex": 0, "relatedEventTitle": "Kalanga-Speaking Farmers Settle the Shashe-Limpopo Region", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tswana_people" ], "themes": [ "Kalanga", "Bantu migration" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-003", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the Zhizo moved west to settle Toutswe around 1000, that Mapungubwe traded locally with Toutswe in Botswana, and that Mapungubwe's gold likely came from the Tati goldfields in modern Botswana.", "hook": "Mapungubwe's gold likely came from Botswana.", "category": "Heritage", "year": 1000, "yearDisplay": "c. 1000", "era": "PREHISTORY, SAN HERDERS & EARLY STATES", "eraIndex": 0, "relatedEventTitle": "Toutswe Cattle Chiefdom at Toutswemogala", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Mapungubwe", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Toutswe", "Mapungubwe", "gold" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-004", "text": "Did you know that a gold-foil-covered wooden rhinoceros was found in the original gold burial at Mapungubwe, a kingdom near today's borders with Botswana, which Wikipedia says peaked at about 5,000 people by 1250 and was abandoned around 1300.", "hook": "A golden rhinoceros was found near Botswana's border.", "category": "Heritage", "year": 1220, "yearDisplay": "c. 1220", "era": "PREHISTORY, SAN HERDERS & EARLY STATES", "eraIndex": 0, "relatedEventTitle": "Mapungubwe Hill Becomes a Royal Centre", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Mapungubwe", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Mapungubwe", "golden rhinoceros" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-005", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Kwena leader Sechele I met David Livingstone in 1847 and was baptised in 1848 after divorcing four of his five wives, and that he reportedly learned the alphabet in two days.", "hook": "Sechele I learned the alphabet in two days.", "category": "Culture", "year": 1848, "yearDisplay": "1847 to 1848", "era": "TSWANA CHIEFDOMS, MFECANE & MISSIONARIES", "eraIndex": 1, "relatedEventTitle": "Livingstone Begins Mission Work among the Tswana", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sechele_I", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Sechele I", "Livingstone", "Kwena" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-006", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the Tswana already had a concept of private property by the mid-19th century, and that both married men and married women could hold land rights.", "hook": "Tswana women could hold land rights by the 1800s.", "category": "Society", "year": 1850, "yearDisplay": "mid-19th century", "era": "TSWANA CHIEFDOMS, MFECANE & MISSIONARIES", "eraIndex": 1, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tswana_people" ], "themes": [ "land rights", "Tswana society" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-007", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says that in 1852 Boers from the Transvaal destroyed Livingstone's Kolobeng mission and attacked the Kwena, but a combined Batswana force defeated them, which ended Boer westward expansion.", "hook": "Batswana forces stopped Boer expansion in 1852.", "category": "Heritage", "year": 1852, "yearDisplay": "1852", "era": "TSWANA CHIEFDOMS, MFECANE & MISSIONARIES", "eraIndex": 1, "relatedEventTitle": "Battle of Dimawe", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sechele_I", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Dimawe", "Boers", "Kwena" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-008", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Setswana's first complete Bible translation was published by Robert Moffat in 1857, after he had earlier issued a spelling book and a catechism in 1826.", "hook": "Setswana had a printed Bible by 1857.", "category": "Language", "year": 1857, "yearDisplay": "1857", "era": "TSWANA CHIEFDOMS, MFECANE & MISSIONARIES", "eraIndex": 1, "relatedEventTitle": "Setswana Bible Printed", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tswana_language", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Setswana", "Robert Moffat", "Bible" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-009", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says gold found near the Tati River sparked southern Africa's first gold rush in the late 1860s, which the Francistown article credits to Karl Mauch's 1867 publicity and gold found in 1869.", "hook": "Gold in the 1860s started a regional rush.", "category": "Economy", "year": 1868, "yearDisplay": "late 1860s", "era": "TSWANA CHIEFDOMS, MFECANE & MISSIONARIES", "eraIndex": 1, "relatedEventTitle": "Gold Found at the Tati River", "location": "Francistown, Botswana", "lat": -21.17361, "lon": 27.5125, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francistown" ], "themes": [ "Tati goldfields", "gold rush" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-010", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Colonel Charles Warren announced the Bechuanaland Protectorate on 31 March 1885, and that Mafeking, outside the territory, served as its capital until Gaborone took over in 1965.", "hook": "The protectorate's capital lay outside Bechuanaland.", "category": "Heritage", "year": 1885, "yearDisplay": "31 March 1885", "era": "BECHUANALAND PROTECTORATE", "eraIndex": 2, "relatedEventTitle": "Declaration of the Bechuanaland Protectorate", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechuanaland_Protectorate", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Bechuanaland Protectorate", "Mafeking" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-011", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the protectorate's boundary was extended on 30 June 1890 to include Ngamiland, and that Germany recognised this the next day in the Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty.", "hook": "A treaty about Zanzibar also fixed Ngamiland.", "category": "Geography", "year": 1890, "yearDisplay": "30 June 1890", "era": "BECHUANALAND PROTECTORATE", "eraIndex": 2, "relatedEventTitle": "Northern Boundary Extended to Ngamiland", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechuanaland_Protectorate", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Ngamiland", "Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-012", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says that in 1895 Khama III, Sebele I and Bathoen I travelled to Britain, where they blocked a deal that would have absorbed their territory into the British South Africa Company.", "hook": "Three chiefs travelled to Britain in 1895.", "category": "Heritage", "year": 1895, "yearDisplay": "1895", "era": "BECHUANALAND PROTECTORATE", "eraIndex": 2, "relatedEventTitle": "The Three Chiefs' Journey to Britain", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khama_III", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Three Chiefs", "Khama III", "Sebele I", "Bathoen I" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-013", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the present town of Francistown was founded in 1897 near the Monarch mine and named after Daniel Francis, an English prospector from Liverpool.", "hook": "Francistown is named for a Liverpool prospector.", "category": "Heritage", "year": 1897, "yearDisplay": "1897", "era": "BECHUANALAND PROTECTORATE", "eraIndex": 2, "relatedEventTitle": "Founding of Francistown", "location": "Francistown, Botswana", "lat": -21.17361, "lon": 27.5125, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francistown", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Francistown", "Daniel Francis", "gold" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-014", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Ruth Williams met Seretse Khama at a London Missionary Society dance at Nutford House in June 1947, and that the two shared a love of jazz.", "hook": "Seretse and Ruth bonded over jazz.", "category": "Culture", "year": 1947, "yearDisplay": "June 1947", "era": "POSTWAR, THE SERETSE KHAMA CRISIS & SELF-GOVERNMENT", "eraIndex": 3, "relatedEventTitle": "Seretse Khama Meets Ruth Williams", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Williams_Khama", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seretse_Khama" ], "themes": [ "Seretse Khama", "Ruth Williams", "jazz" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-015", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Seretse Khama and Ruth Williams married at Kensington Register Office on 29 September 1948 because no church would marry them.", "hook": "No church would marry Seretse and Ruth.", "category": "Society", "year": 1948, "yearDisplay": "29 September 1948", "era": "POSTWAR, THE SERETSE KHAMA CRISIS & SELF-GOVERNMENT", "eraIndex": 3, "relatedEventTitle": "Marriage of Seretse Khama and Ruth Williams", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Williams_Khama", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seretse_Khama" ], "themes": [ "marriage", "Seretse Khama" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-016", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Ruth Williams Khama arrived in Bechuanaland in 1949 during unusually good rains, and that Bamangwato women greeted her with the words \"You are the mother of us all\", according to the page.", "hook": "Ruth arrived in unusually good rains.", "category": "Culture", "year": 1949, "yearDisplay": "1949", "era": "POSTWAR, THE SERETSE KHAMA CRISIS & SELF-GOVERNMENT", "eraIndex": 3, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Williams_Khama", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seretse_Khama" ], "themes": [ "Ruth Williams Khama", "Bamangwato", "rain" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-017", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says that in 1951 the House of Commons voted 308 to 286 to keep Seretse and Ruth Khama in exile, and that they lived in Croydon until returning home in 1956 as private citizens.", "hook": "Parliament voted 308 to 286 on the Khamas' exile.", "category": "Society", "year": 1951, "yearDisplay": "1951", "era": "POSTWAR, THE SERETSE KHAMA CRISIS & SELF-GOVERNMENT", "eraIndex": 3, "relatedEventTitle": "Exile of the Khamas in Britain", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Williams_Khama", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seretse_Khama" ], "themes": [ "exile", "Seretse Khama", "Croydon" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-018", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the Bechuanaland Protectorate Federal Party, formed in 1959, was the territory's first political party, and that the tribes formed a legislative council two years later.", "hook": "The first Botswana party formed in 1959.", "category": "Firsts", "year": 1959, "yearDisplay": "1959", "era": "POSTWAR, THE SERETSE KHAMA CRISIS & SELF-GOVERNMENT", "eraIndex": 3, "relatedEventTitle": "Bechuanaland Protectorate Federal Party Formed", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechuanaland_Protectorate" ], "themes": [ "political parties", "legislative council" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-019", "text": "Did you know that the Central Kalahari Game Reserve was established in 1961 and covers about 52,800 square kilometres, which Wikipedia says is larger than the Netherlands and close to 10 percent of Botswana.", "hook": "One reserve is bigger than the Netherlands.", "category": "Records", "year": 1961, "yearDisplay": "1961", "era": "POSTWAR, THE SERETSE KHAMA CRISIS & SELF-GOVERNMENT", "eraIndex": 3, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": "Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana", "lat": -21.8895, "lon": 23.7565, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Kalahari_Game_Reserve", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Central Kalahari", "game reserve" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-020", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Moremi Game Reserve was proclaimed in 1963 and named after Chief Moremi III of the Batawana, whose widow Elizabeth Pulane Moremi was ruling the area and took steps to conserve wildlife.", "hook": "A chief's widow helped create Moremi Game Reserve.", "category": "Heritage", "year": 1963, "yearDisplay": "1963", "era": "POSTWAR, THE SERETSE KHAMA CRISIS & SELF-GOVERNMENT", "eraIndex": 3, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moremi_Game_Reserve", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okavango_Delta" ], "themes": [ "Moremi", "Batawana", "conservation" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-021", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the modern town of Gaborone was founded in 1964, was planned for about 20,000 people, and had grown to 138,000 by 1992, making it once one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.", "hook": "Gaborone was planned for only 20,000 people.", "category": "Society", "year": 1964, "yearDisplay": "1964", "era": "POSTWAR, THE SERETSE KHAMA CRISIS & SELF-GOVERNMENT", "eraIndex": 3, "relatedEventTitle": "Construction of Gaborone Begins", "location": "Gaborone, Botswana", "lat": -24.6583, "lon": 25.9083, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaborone", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Gaborone", "urban growth" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-022", "text": "Did you know that Bessie Head left South Africa in 1964, sought asylum in the Bechuanaland Protectorate and settled in Serowe, where Wikipedia says she wrote When Rain Clouds Gather (1968), Maru (1971) and A Question of Power (1973).", "hook": "A South African writer made Serowe her home.", "category": "Culture", "year": 1964, "yearDisplay": "1964", "era": "POSTWAR, THE SERETSE KHAMA CRISIS & SELF-GOVERNMENT", "eraIndex": 3, "relatedEventTitle": "Bessie Head Publishes When Rain Clouds Gather", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_Head", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Bessie Head", "Serowe", "literature" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-023", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Botswana's first general election was held on 1 March 1965, and that Seretse Khama of the Botswana Democratic Party took office as head of government two days later on 3 March.", "hook": "Botswana's first general election was 1 March 1965.", "category": "Firsts", "year": 1965, "yearDisplay": "1 March 1965", "era": "POSTWAR, THE SERETSE KHAMA CRISIS & SELF-GOVERNMENT", "eraIndex": 3, "relatedEventTitle": "1965 General Election under Universal Suffrage", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechuanaland_Protectorate", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seretse_Khama" ], "themes": [ "1965 election", "Seretse Khama" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-024", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Bechuanaland became the independent Republic of Botswana on 30 September 1966, and that the country's name translates as \"Land of the Tswana\".", "hook": "The name Botswana means \"Land of the Tswana\".", "category": "Language", "year": 1966, "yearDisplay": "30 September 1966", "era": "INDEPENDENCE, DIAMONDS & SERETSE KHAMA", "eraIndex": 4, "relatedEventTitle": "Botswana Becomes Independent from Britain", "location": "Gaborone, Botswana", "lat": -24.6583, "lon": 25.9083, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechuanaland_Protectorate" ], "themes": [ "independence", "name" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-025", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Elizabeth II appointed Seretse Khama a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire about ten days before independence, and that he served as Botswana's first president until 13 July 1980.", "hook": "Seretse was knighted days before independence.", "category": "Firsts", "year": 1966, "yearDisplay": "September 1966", "era": "INDEPENDENCE, DIAMONDS & SERETSE KHAMA", "eraIndex": 4, "relatedEventTitle": "Botswana Becomes Independent from Britain", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seretse_Khama", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Seretse Khama", "knighthood", "first president" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-026", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says De Beers geologists led by Dr Gavin Lamont discovered Orapa on 1 March 1967, a year after independence, and that its pit covers about 118 hectares, making it the world's largest diamond mine by area.", "hook": "Orapa was found a year after independence.", "category": "Records", "year": 1967, "yearDisplay": "1 March 1967", "era": "INDEPENDENCE, DIAMONDS & SERETSE KHAMA", "eraIndex": 4, "relatedEventTitle": "Diamonds Discovered at Orapa", "location": "Orapa, Botswana", "lat": -21.3083, "lon": 25.3694, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orapa_diamond_mine", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Orapa", "De Beers", "diamonds" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-027", "text": "Did you know that the Chobe National Park, Botswana's first national park, covers about 11,700 square kilometres and, according to Wikipedia, holds about 50,000 elephants, which the main Botswana article calls the world's largest concentration of African elephants.", "hook": "Chobe holds the world's largest elephant concentration.", "category": "Nature", "year": 1968, "yearDisplay": "1968", "era": "INDEPENDENCE, DIAMONDS & SERETSE KHAMA", "eraIndex": 4, "relatedEventTitle": "Chobe National Park Declared", "location": "Chobe National Park, Botswana", "lat": -18.65, "lon": 24.4, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chobe_National_Park", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Chobe", "elephants", "national park" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-028", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the Jwaneng deposit was identified in February 1973, and that the mine, which opened in 1982, produced 13.3 million carats in 2023 and is called the richest diamond mine in the world.", "hook": "Jwaneng is called the world's richest diamond mine.", "category": "Economy", "year": 1973, "yearDisplay": "February 1973", "era": "INDEPENDENCE, DIAMONDS & SERETSE KHAMA", "eraIndex": 4, "relatedEventTitle": "Jwaneng Kimberlite Discovered", "location": "Jwaneng, Botswana", "lat": -24.52306, "lon": 24.70194, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jwaneng_diamond_mine", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Jwaneng", "Debswana", "diamonds" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-029", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the pula replaced the South African rand at par on 23 August 1976, a date known as Pula Day, and that the rand stopped being legal tender in Botswana 100 days later.", "hook": "Pula Day marks a currency launched in 1976.", "category": "Economy", "year": 1976, "yearDisplay": "23 August 1976", "era": "INDEPENDENCE, DIAMONDS & SERETSE KHAMA", "eraIndex": 4, "relatedEventTitle": "The Pula Replaces the Rand", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana_pula", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "pula", "Pula Day", "currency" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-030", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Quett Masire became acting president on 13 July 1980, was elected on 18 July, and served until 31 March 1998, the longest tenure of any Botswana president.", "hook": "Masire served longer than any other Botswana president.", "category": "Records", "year": 1980, "yearDisplay": "1980 to 1998", "era": "INDEPENDENCE, DIAMONDS & SERETSE KHAMA", "eraIndex": 4, "relatedEventTitle": "Quett Masire Succeeds as President", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quett_Masire", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Quett Masire", "presidency" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-031", "text": "Did you know that Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, which Wikipedia says opened in 1984 north of Gaborone, has a 4,000 metre runway and handled 407,813 passengers in 2024, replacing the earlier Gaborones Airport.", "hook": "The main airport is named after the first president.", "category": "Records", "year": 1984, "yearDisplay": "1984", "era": "MASIRE, MOGAE & THE AIDS CRISIS", "eraIndex": 5, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": "Gaborone, Botswana", "lat": -24.5553, "lon": 25.9183, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Seretse_Khama_International_Airport", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seretse_Khama" ], "themes": [ "airport", "Seretse Khama", "Gaborone" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-032", "text": "Did you know that the first four white rhinos arrived at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary in 1992, and Wikipedia says a black rhino was reintroduced in 2002 on the roughly 8,585 hectare community-based reserve near Serowe.", "hook": "Serowe's rhino sanctuary began with four rhinos.", "category": "Nature", "year": 1992, "yearDisplay": "1992", "era": "MASIRE, MOGAE & THE AIDS CRISIS", "eraIndex": 5, "relatedEventTitle": "Khama Rhino Sanctuary Founded near Serowe", "location": "Khama Rhino Sanctuary, near Serowe", "lat": -22.23472, "lon": 26.72, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khama_Rhino_Sanctuary", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "rhinos", "Serowe", "conservation" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-033", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency was first published in 1998 and set in Gaborone, where Precious Ramotswe is Botswana's first female private investigator.", "hook": "A famous detective novel is set in Gaborone.", "category": "Culture", "year": 1998, "yearDisplay": "1998", "era": "MASIRE, MOGAE & THE AIDS CRISIS", "eraIndex": 5, "relatedEventTitle": "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Published", "location": "Gaborone, Botswana", "lat": -24.6583, "lon": 25.9083, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_No._1_Ladies%27_Detective_Agency", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaborone" ], "themes": [ "Alexander McCall Smith", "Gaborone", "detective fiction" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-034", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park was formally launched in 2000 as Southern Africa's first peace park, covering about 38,000 square kilometres, with roughly three-quarters of it in Botswana.", "hook": "Southern Africa's first peace park launched in 2000.", "category": "Nature", "year": 2000, "yearDisplay": "2000", "era": "MASIRE, MOGAE & THE AIDS CRISIS", "eraIndex": 5, "relatedEventTitle": "Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Opens", "location": "Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park", "lat": -25.767, "lon": 20.383, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kgalagadi_Transfrontier_Park", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Kgalagadi", "peace park" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-035", "text": "Did you know that Tsodilo was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001, and UNESCO says its archaeological record spans at least 100,000 years and that it has been called the \"Louvre of the Desert\".", "hook": "Tsodilo was nicknamed the Louvre of the Desert.", "category": "Heritage", "year": 2001, "yearDisplay": "2001", "era": "MASIRE, MOGAE & THE AIDS CRISIS", "eraIndex": 5, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": "Tsodilo Hills, Botswana", "lat": -18.75, "lon": 21.7333, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsodilo", "https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1021/" ], "themes": [ "Tsodilo", "UNESCO", "Louvre of the Desert" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-036", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Festus Mogae received the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership in 2008, and that his government ran a free antiretroviral therapy campaign against HIV/AIDS.", "hook": "Mogae won the Mo Ibrahim Prize in 2008.", "category": "Firsts", "year": 2008, "yearDisplay": "2008", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": "Masa Antiretroviral Programme Launched", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festus_Mogae", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Festus Mogae", "Mo Ibrahim Prize", "HIV/AIDS" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-037", "text": "Did you know that Botswana qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations by beating Tunisia home and away, and Wikipedia says the Zebras, called Dipitse in Tswana, reached their best FIFA ranking of 53rd in December 2010.", "hook": "The Zebras qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup.", "category": "Sport", "year": 2012, "yearDisplay": "2012", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana_national_football_team", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "football", "Zebras", "AFCON" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-038", "text": "Did you know that Nijel Amos won 800 m silver at London 2012 in 1:41.73, which Wikipedia says was a world junior record and Botswana's first-ever Olympic medal.", "hook": "Nijel Amos won Botswana's first Olympic medal.", "category": "Firsts", "year": 2012, "yearDisplay": "9 August 2012", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nijel_Amos", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana_at_the_Olympics" ], "themes": [ "Nijel Amos", "800 m", "Olympics" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-039", "text": "Did you know that the Okavango Delta was inscribed in 2014 as the 1,000th site on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which Wikipedia says makes Botswana's inland delta a milestone entry.", "hook": "The Okavango Delta was UNESCO's 1,000th site.", "category": "Heritage", "year": 2014, "yearDisplay": "2014", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": "Okavango Delta inscribed as a World Heritage Site", "location": "Okavango Delta, Botswana", "lat": -19.4, "lon": 22.9, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okavango_Delta", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Okavango Delta", "UNESCO" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-040", "text": "Did you know that the Lesedi La Rona, found at the Karowe Mine on 16 November 2015, weighed 1,111 carats when recovered, and Wikipedia says it is the fifth-largest diamond ever found and third-largest of gem quality.", "hook": "Karowe produced a 1,111 carat diamond.", "category": "Records", "year": 2015, "yearDisplay": "16 November 2015", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": "Lesedi La Rona diamond found at Karowe", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesedi_La_Rona", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Lesedi La Rona", "Karowe", "Lucara" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-041", "text": "Did you know that the 2016 film A United Kingdom, directed by Amma Asante, starred David Oyelowo as Seretse Khama and Rosamund Pike as Ruth Williams, according to Wikipedia.", "hook": "A film tells the Khama love story.", "category": "Culture", "year": 2016, "yearDisplay": "2016", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seretse_Khama", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Williams_Khama" ], "themes": [ "A United Kingdom", "Seretse Khama", "film" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-042", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the Lesedi La Rona failed to sell at Sotheby's in June 2016, when the top bid was $61 million, and was sold in September 2017 to Graff for $53 million, then cut in 2019.", "hook": "The huge diamond sold for less than a bid.", "category": "Economy", "year": 2017, "yearDisplay": "September 2017", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesedi_La_Rona", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Lesedi La Rona", "Graff", "auction" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-043", "text": "Did you know that the Kazungula Bridge linking Botswana and Zambia over the Zambezi opened on 10 May 2021, and Wikipedia says it is 923 metres long, cost US$259.3 million and replaced the Kazungula Ferry.", "hook": "A bridge replaced the Zambezi ferry in 2021.", "category": "Economy", "year": 2021, "yearDisplay": "10 May 2021", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": "Kazungula Bridge opens", "location": "Kazungula, Botswana", "lat": -17.79111, "lon": 25.2625, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazungula_Bridge", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Kazungula Bridge", "Zambezi", "Zambia" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-044", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the first confirmed Omicron specimens were collected in Botswana on 9 November 2021, and that South Africa reported the variant to the WHO on 24 November, two days before it was named a variant of concern.", "hook": "Omicron's first confirmed samples came from Botswana.", "category": "Science", "year": 2021, "yearDisplay": "9 November 2021", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": "Omicron variant first documented in Botswana", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SARS-CoV-2_Omicron_variant", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Omicron", "COVID-19", "genomic surveillance" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-045", "text": "Did you know that Botswana's 2022 census counted 2,359,609 people, and Wikipedia says that gives about 4.1 people per square kilometre, with Gaborone at 246,325 and Francistown, the second-largest city, at 103,417.", "hook": "Botswana has about 4.1 people per square kilometre.", "category": "Society", "year": 2022, "yearDisplay": "2022", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": "2022 Population and Housing Census", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaborone", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francistown" ], "themes": [ "census", "population density" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-046", "text": "Did you know that Letsile Tebogo won the 100 m at the 2022 World U20 Championships in 9.91 seconds, which Wikipedia lists as a world U20 record, and took 200 m silver at the same meeting.", "hook": "A Botswana teenager set a world U20 record.", "category": "Sport", "year": 2022, "yearDisplay": "2022", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letsile_Tebogo", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Letsile Tebogo", "100 m", "World U20" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-047", "text": "Did you know that Letsile Tebogo won the men's 200 m at the Paris Olympics on 8 August 2024 in 19.46 seconds, which Wikipedia lists as an African record and Botswana's first-ever Olympic gold medal.", "hook": "Letsile Tebogo won Botswana's first Olympic gold.", "category": "Firsts", "year": 2024, "yearDisplay": "8 August 2024", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": "Letsile Tebogo wins Botswana's first Olympic gold", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letsile_Tebogo", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana_at_the_Olympics" ], "themes": [ "Letsile Tebogo", "200 m", "Paris 2024" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-048", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Botswana has won four Olympic medals, one gold, two silver and one bronze, with the 2024 men's 4 x 400 m relay team of Kebinatshipi, Ndori, Pesela and Tebogo taking silver in Paris.", "hook": "Botswana's four Olympic medals all came in athletics.", "category": "Sport", "year": 2024, "yearDisplay": "1980 to 2024", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": "Collen Kebinatshipi wins world 400 metres gold", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana_at_the_Olympics", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letsile_Tebogo" ], "themes": [ "Olympics", "relay", "medals" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-049", "text": "Did you know that in the 30 October 2024 election, Wikipedia says the Umbrella for Democratic Change won 36 of 61 elected seats, ending the BDP's time in government since independence, and Duma Boko was sworn in as president on 1 November.", "hook": "Botswana's 2024 election changed the governing party.", "category": "Society", "year": 2024, "yearDisplay": "30 October 2024", "era": "IAN KHAMA, MASISI & THE 2024 TRANSITION", "eraIndex": 6, "relatedEventTitle": "2024 Botswana general election", "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Botswana_general_election", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "2024 election", "Duma Boko" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-050", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Botswana covers about 581,730 square kilometres, roughly the size of France, and that the Kalahari Desert covers up to about 70 percent of its land surface.", "hook": "The Kalahari covers up to 70 percent of Botswana.", "category": "Geography", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Kalahari_Game_Reserve" ], "themes": [ "Kalahari", "area" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-051", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the pula is the national currency and also means \"rain\", which is the national motto, while its subunit, the thebe, means \"shield\".", "hook": "The pula currency is named after rain.", "category": "Language", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana_pula" ], "themes": [ "pula", "thebe", "rain" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-052", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says a kgotla is a village meeting, council and traditional court where decisions are reached by consensus, everyone may speak fully and no one may interrupt another speaker.", "hook": "Kgotla meetings let everyone speak without interruption.", "category": "Culture", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kgotla", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tswana_people" ], "themes": [ "kgotla", "consensus", "democracy" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-053", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia's Tswana people article records the proverb \"Mmualebe o a bo a bua la gagwe\", meaning even the one who speaks badly must be allowed to speak, as a summary of how a kgotla works.", "hook": "A Tswana proverb protects even poor speakers.", "category": "Language", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tswana_people", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kgotla" ], "themes": [ "proverb", "kgotla", "Setswana" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-054", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Tswana has three click consonants, used mostly in interjections by older speakers, and that the verb go bua can mean either \"to speak\" or \"to skin an animal\" depending on tone.", "hook": "Tswana words can change meaning by tone alone.", "category": "Language", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tswana_language", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Tswana", "tones", "clicks" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-055", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says cattle were central to Tswana wealth and political organisation, and that bridewealth, called bogadi, is typically paid in cattle, which legitimised marriages and established alliances.", "hook": "Cattle sealed marriages and alliances among the Tswana.", "category": "Culture", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tswana_people", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Botswana" ], "themes": [ "cattle", "bogadi", "marriage" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-056", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the Makgadikgadi Pans are what remains of Lake Makgadikgadi, once larger than Switzerland, and that together the pans cover about 16,000 square kilometres of the Kalahari Basin.", "hook": "A vanished lake once exceeded Switzerland in size.", "category": "Nature", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": "Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana", "lat": -20.8, "lon": 25.3333, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makgadikgadi_Pan", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Makgadikgadi", "ancient lake", "salt pans" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-057", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Soa Pan hosts one of only two greater flamingo breeding populations in southern Africa, the other being in Etosha, Namibia, and that Kubu Island in Sua Pan has baobab trees.", "hook": "Only two southern African sites breed greater flamingos.", "category": "Nature", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": "Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana", "lat": -20.8, "lon": 25.3333, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makgadikgadi_Pan", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "flamingos", "Soa Pan", "Kubu Island" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-058", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the Okavango River splits into channels near Mohembo, and that 96 to 98 percent of the water entering the delta is lost to evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge and evaporation.", "hook": "Almost all Okavango floodwater never leaves the delta.", "category": "Nature", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": "Okavango Delta, Botswana", "lat": -19.4, "lon": 22.9, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okavango_Delta", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Okavango Delta", "evaporation", "inland delta" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-059", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the San see Tsodilo's hills as a resting place for spirits of the dead and as the birthplace of all life, and a natural spring near Female Hill is used for cleansing and protection.", "hook": "Tsodilo is regarded as the birthplace of life.", "category": "Myth or fact", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": "Tsodilo Hills, Botswana", "lat": -18.75, "lon": 21.7333, "confidence": "high", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsodilo", "https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1021/" ], "themes": [ "Tsodilo", "San beliefs", "sacred site" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-060", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Deception Valley, one of four fossilised rivers meandering through the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, began forming around 16,000 years ago.", "hook": "A fossil river runs through the Central Kalahari.", "category": "Nature", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": "Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana", "lat": -21.8895, "lon": 23.7565, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Kalahari_Game_Reserve", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Deception Valley", "fossil river", "Kalahari" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-061", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the Kalahari elephants of Chobe form the largest herds of any known elephant population, with brittle ivory and short tusks that may result from calcium deficiency in the soil.", "hook": "Chobe's elephants may have brittle ivory.", "category": "Science", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": "Chobe National Park, Botswana", "lat": -18.65, "lon": 24.4, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chobe_National_Park", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Kalahari elephants", "ivory", "Chobe" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-062", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the Orapa kimberlite sits beneath preserved Late Cretaceous lake sediments that form an important site for fossil insects.", "hook": "Orapa's pit sits near a fossil insect site.", "category": "Science", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": "Orapa, Botswana", "lat": -21.3083, "lon": 25.3694, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orapa_diamond_mine", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Orapa", "fossil insects", "Cretaceous" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-063", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says the name Orapa is said to mean \"resting place for lions\", and that the mine inspired a board game, Orapa Mine, which is popular in Ivory Coast.", "hook": "A mining town inspired a board game.", "category": "Culture", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": "Orapa, Botswana", "lat": -21.3083, "lon": 25.3694, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orapa_diamond_mine", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Orapa", "board game", "lions" ] }, { "id": "botswana-fact-064", "text": "Did you know that Wikipedia says Gaborone is nicknamed GC from Government Camp, the colonial headquarters, and that the Gaborone Dam, Botswana's second-largest, bans swimming because of crocodiles and bilharzia.", "hook": "Gaborone's nickname comes from Government Camp.", "category": "Society", "year": null, "yearDisplay": null, "era": null, "eraIndex": null, "relatedEventTitle": null, "location": "Gaborone, Botswana", "lat": -24.6583, "lon": 25.9083, "confidence": "medium", "sources": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaborone", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana" ], "themes": [ "Gaborone", "GC", "Gaborone Dam" ] } ] }