Botswana 140

     In 1975 Botswana issued a set of three stamps to mark the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, which became Botswana, in 1885. One of the stamps has a map of the Protectorate, with an obvious error. It includes within the territory of the Protectorate the former Crown Colony of Bechuanaland which was created at the same time. The Colony was later transferred to the Cape Colony (South Africa).
      The area in question is south of the Molopo River, north of the Cape Colony and west of the Transvaal.
     Also, in 1885 the northern boundary was at 22°S latitude. That was extended to about 19°S in 1890.

     The Bechuanaland Protectorate was administered as a High Commission Territory from 1891 until August 1, 1964 when the Commission was dissolved. The Protectorate became self-governing on March 1, 1965. In 1966 the Republic of Botswana became independent.