Gaborone

Gaborone is a big city in Botswana.

It sits near some hills. The city is also near a river.

It is the capital of the land. This means it is a very important place. Many people live there now.

The weather is often very sunny. It can be very hot in the summer.

There are many shops in the city. People also go to a museum to see art. It is a busy place!

Gaborone is the capital city of Botswana.

It sits in the southeast corner of the country. The city is near the South African border. It lies between Kgale Hill and Oodi Hill. Two rivers, the Notwane and Segoditshane, flow near the city.

Gaborone is a very important place. It is the political and economic center of Botswana. Many big companies are based here. The city is also home to the Botswana Stock Exchange.

The city was planned in the mid-1960s. It was built to be the new capital. People chose this spot because of the fresh water. The city was named after Chief Gaborone. He was a leader of the Tlokwa people.

Most of the year is very sunny. Summers are usually hot. Nights can be cool.

Many people live in Gaborone. About 246,325 people live in the city. This is about 10% of all people in Botswana. The city is growing very fast. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.

Gaborone is the capital city of Botswana.

It is a very important place for the whole country. This city serves as the main center for politics and business. Many of the largest companies in Botswana are located here. The Botswana Stock Exchange also sits within the city. It is the headquarters for the Southern African Development Community. Because so many things happen here, it is a busy place.

The city sits in the southeastern corner of Botswana. It is located near the border with South Africa. You can find it nestled between Kgale Hill and Oodi Hill.

Two rivers, the Notwane and the Segoditshane, flow near the city. This location was chosen because of the fresh water nearby. The city is also close to a railway that leads to Pretoria. Travelers can reach the city using the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.

History shows that people lived near the Notwane River for a long time. The Tlokwa people settled in this area around 1880. They called their settlement Moshaweng. The city is named after Chief Gaborone of the Tlokwa people.

Early European colonizers called the area Gaberones. This was a short name for "Gaborone's Village." In 1890, Cecil John Rhodes chose the area for a colonial fort. The name was officially changed to Gaborone in 1969.

Building for the modern city began in mid-1964. The leaders wanted a new capital for the nation. They chose this spot because it was central to many tribes.

The city was planned using "Garden city" ideas. This means there are many open spaces and paths for walking. The layout looks a bit like a brandy glass. The government offices sit at the base of the glass. A long strip called the Main Mall holds the businesses.

Gaborone is growing very quickly today. In 1964, only 3,855 people lived there. By 2022, the population reached 246,325 people.

This growth has created a need for more houses. Some people live in settlements called Naledi. The weather is mostly sunny and hot in the summer.

During the winter, the days stay warm but the nights get cold. The city remains a lively place for many different people.

Gaborone is the capital and largest city of Botswana.

It serves as the nation's primary political and economic hub. The city hosts the Botswana Stock Exchange and many large companies. It also acts as the headquarters for the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Because of these roles, Gaborone is a vital center for the entire region.

The city is located in the southeastern corner of Botswana. It sits near the border with South Africa. Gaborone is nestled between Kgale Hill and Oodi Hill.

The city is positioned near the confluence of the Notwane and Segoditshane rivers. This location was chosen because of the proximity to fresh water. It also sits near a railway line that leads to Pretoria. Travelers can access the city via the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.

The history of the area involves many different groups over many centuries. Evidence shows inhabitants lived along the Notwane River for a long time. Around 1880, the Tlokwa people settled near the area. They called their settlement Moshaweng. The city is named after Chief Gaborone of the Tlokwa people.

Early European colonizers called the area Gaberones. This was a shortening of "Gaborone's Village." In 1890, Cecil John Rhodes chose the area for a colonial fort. The name officially changed from Gaberones to Gaborone in 1969.

Modern Gaborone was founded in 1964 to serve as a new capital. Previously, the capital of the Bechuanaland Protectorate was Mafeking. Lobatse was the first choice for the new capital of Botswana. However, leaders felt Lobatse was too limited for the nation's needs. They planned Gaborone using "Garden city" principles. This design includes many open spaces and pedestrian walkways. The chairman, Geoffrey Cornish, described the layout as a "brandy glass." The government offices sit in the base of the glass. A strip of businesses called the "Main Mall" extends from that base.

The city has experienced massive population growth since its founding. In 1964, the population was only 3,855 citizens. By 1971, the population reached almost 18,000 residents. By 1992, the number grew to 138,000 people. According to the 2022 census, the population reached 246,325.

The metropolitan area is even larger, with 534,842 inhabitants. This rapid growth has caused significant housing challenges. Many people moved to illegal settlements like Naledi. The name Naledi can mean "the star" or "under the open sky." In 1975, President Sir Seretse Khama rezoned Naledi to help provide low-income housing.

Gaborone has a hot semi-arid climate. This means the weather is mostly sunny and very hot in summer. The nights are often cool. Most rainfall occurs between October and April. The city has faced three notable floods since 1995. These occurred in 2000, 2001, and 2006. One flood in 2001 caused damage worth 5,000,000 Botswana pula. The weather can be erratic, with scanty precipitation. The highest humidity occurs in June, while the lowest is in September.

Today, Gaborone is a diverse and busy metropolitan center. Many different languages are spoken, including Setswana, English, Kalanga, and Kgalagadi. The city contains various places of worship, such as Christian churches and Hindu temples.

It also features the National Museum and Art Gallery. This museum opened in 1968 and displays local art and traditional crafts. The city continues to grow at a rate of 3.4% per year. This growth is driven by people moving to the city for better infrastructure. Gaborone remains a central part of life in Botswana.