Botswana has a long history of tribal people. Originating with the Bushmen and then the Bantu. When the British governed it as a protectorate, it became Bechuanaland in 1886. This stopped the Boers (Of Dutch Decent) and Germans advancement on Botswana. In 1966 it became an independent country. Copper, nickel, diamond mining, and cattle-raising are the chief components of the economy. @