The dominant ethnic identity in Botswana is Tswana. The nation's whole population is characterized as Batswana whatever their ethnic origin. Though no attempt to count population by ethnic origin has been made since 1946, likely less than half the population is ethnic Tswana by origin. There are far greater numbers of ethnic Tswana in South Africa. Tswana ethnic dominance in Botswana can be dated to the eight Tswana states which governed most of the area in the 19th century. Under British colonial rule, the populations of these states were given the official status of tribes, a term still used officially today.