bechuanaland Definition

region of southern Africa north of the Orange River and including the Kalahari Desert and Okavango Swamps —a formerly used name

former British colony in the region south of the Molopo River that became part of the Union of South Africa in 1895

landlocked country in southern Africa north of the Molopo River; an independent republic since 1966, formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland; capital Gaborone area 224,606 square miles (581,730 square kilometers), population 1,680,863