Francistown - City of Botswana

Francistown is the second largest city in Botswana and often described as the "Capital of the North". It is located in eastern Botswana, about 400 kilometres north-northeast from the capital, Gaborone. Francistown is located at the confluence of the Tati and Inchwe rivers, and near the Shashe River and 90 kilometres from the international border with Zimbabwe. Francistown was the center of southern Africa's first gold rush, and is still surrounded by old and abandoned mines.

Although evidence of habitation by humans goes back around 80,000 years, written evidence is more recent. The Ndebele came through the area in the 1820s on their way to Bulawayo, bringing their culture and influence to the Kalanga area of north-eastern Botswana. Reportedly, Nyangabgwe was the nearest village to Francistown to have been visited by Europeans, when it was visited by Robert Moffat.

The current city was founded in 1897, as a settlement near the Monarch mine. The city is named after Daniel Francis, an English prospector who acquired prospecting licenses in the region in 1869. Francis was a director of the Tati Concessions Company, who owned all the land in the settlement. The centre of the new town was formed when the company sold off 300 lots in August of that year. The Monarch mine was not the only mine in operation at that time, and it was widely believed that Francistown would grow rapidly.

In the beginning, the town comprised one street east of, and parallel to the railway line. This street featured a several companies, including a hotel, retail and wholesale shops and three banks. Behind these were the houses of the few white settlers. Segregated areas were made for coloured and black people in the satellite township and between the railway and the river respectively. After Botswana gained its independence in 1966, Francistown was no longer segregated.

The Bakalanga, the second largest ethnic group in Botswana are traditionally centred around the town and the surrounding area. Recently, the city has seen a large influx of illegal immigrants from neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Francistown is home to the Supa Ngwao Museum, with exhibits related to the area's history and heritage.A new nature reserve, Tachila, has been established 5km from central francistown on an old Tati Company Farm, Lady Mary. Construction of a lodge and accommodation is underway as of 2008.

The Francistown Teacher Training College became one of the campii of the University of Botswana in 1973.

Francistown Senior Secondary School opened in 1978.