Gaborone is situated between Kgale Hill and Oodi Hill, near the confluence of the Notwane River and Segoditshane River in the south-eastern corner of Botswana, 15 kilometres 9. It is an administrative district in its own right, but is the capital of the surrounding South-East District.
The city of Gaborone is named after Chief Gaborone of the Tlokwa people, who once controlled land nearby. Gaborone was once one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, and this has created problems with housing and illegal settlements.
The city has also dealt with conflicts spilling into the country from Zimbabwe and South Africa during the s. Gaborone is the political and economic capital of Botswana, home to its largest companies and the Botswana Stock Exchange. Evidence shows that there have been inhabitants along the Notwane River for centuries.
In more recent history, the Tlokwa left the Magaliesberg ranges to settle in the area around , and called the settlement Moshaweng. The word "Gaborone" literally means "it does not fit badly" or "it is not unbecoming". The nickname, "GC", comes from the name "Government Camp". The modern town was only founded in , after a decision was taken to establish a capital for Botswana, which became a self governing territory in , before becoming a fully independent republic on 30 September In , the capital of the Bechuanaland Protectorate moved from Mafeking to Gaberones.
The city was planned under Garden city principles with numerous pedestrian walkways and open spaces. During the city's construction, the chairman of Gaberones Township Authority, Geoffrey Cornish, likened the layout of the city to a "brandy glass" with the government offices in the base of the glass and businesses in the "mall", a strip of land extending from the base.
