World Facts Index
 Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966.
Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and
significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa.
Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though
tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive
nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS
infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for
dealing with the disease.
Geography of Botswana
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Location:
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Southern Africa, north of
South Africa |
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Coordinates:
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22 00 S, 24 00 E |
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Area:
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total: 600,370 sq km
water: 15,000 sq km
land: 585,370 sq km |
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Area comparative:
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slightly smaller than Texas |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 4,013 km
border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km,
Zimbabwe 813 km |
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked) |
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Climate:
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semiarid; warm winters and
hot summers |
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Terrain:
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predominantly flat to
gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m |
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Natural resources:
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diamonds, copper, nickel,
salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver |
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Natural hazards:
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periodic droughts; seasonal
August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the
country, which can obscure visibility |
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Environment - current issues:
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overgrazing;
desertification; limited fresh water resources |
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Geography - note:
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landlocked; population
concentrated in eastern part of the country
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Population of Botswana
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Population:
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1,842,323 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 38.3% (male 319,531/female 309,074)
15-64 years: 57.9% (male 460,692/female 488,577)
65 years and over: 3.8% (male 23,374/female 38,585) |
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Median age:
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21.2 years |
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Infant mortality:
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53.7 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 50.16 years
male: 51.28 years
female: 49.02 years |
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Total fertility rate:
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2.79 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana
(plural)
adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) |
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Ethnic groups:
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Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%,
Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7% |
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Religions:
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indigenous beliefs 85%, Christian 15% |
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Languages:
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English (official), Setswana |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read
and write
total population: 79.8%
male: 76.9%
female: 82.4%
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Government
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of
Botswana
former: Bechuanaland |
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Government type:
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parliamentary republic |
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Capital:
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Gaborone |
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Administrative divisions:
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9 districts and four town councils*;
Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*,
Northwest, Northeast, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern |
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Independence:
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30 September 1966 (from UK) |
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National holiday:
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Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30
September (1966) |
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Constitution:
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March 1965, effective 30 September 1966 |
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Legal system:
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based on Roman-Dutch law and local
customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian
KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice
President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a
second term); election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held in October
2009); vice president appointed by the president
election results: Festus G. MOGAE elected president; percent of National
Assembly vote - 52% |
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a
largely advisory 15-member body with 8 permanent members consisting of the chiefs of the
principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, consisting of 4
elected subchiefs and 3 members selected by the other 12 members) and the National
Assembly (63 seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 are appointed by
the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney-General, serve as ex-officio
members; members serve five-year terms) |
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Judicial branch:
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High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates'
Courts (one in each district) |
Economy
Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates
since independence in 1966, though growth slowed to 4.7% annually in 2006-07.
Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed
itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income
country with a per capita GDP of nearly $15,000 in 2007. Two major investment
services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has
fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of
GDP and for 70-80% of export earnings. Tourism, financial services,
subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. On the
downside, the government must deal with high rates of unemployment and
poverty. Unemployment officially was 23.8% in 2004, but unofficial estimates
place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the second highest in the
world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling
off in diamond mining production overshadows long-term prospects.
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GDP:
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$26.04 billion (2007 est.) |
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GDP growth rate:
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4.5% |
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GDP per capita:
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$10,500 |
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GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 2.4%
industry: 46.9% (including 36% mining)
services: 50.7% |
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Population below poverty line:
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30.3% |
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Inflation rate:
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8.6% |
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Labor force:
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288,400 formal sector employees |
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Unemployment:
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23.8% |
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Budget:
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revenues: $3.766 billion
expenditures: $3.767 billion |
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Electricity production by source:
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fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0%
nuclear: 0% |
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Industries:
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diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash,
potash; livestock processing; textiles |
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Agriculture:
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livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans,
sunflowers, groundnuts |
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Exports:
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diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat,
textiles |
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Export partners:
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European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 87%, Southern
African Customs Union (SACU) 7%, Zimbabwe 4% |
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Imports:
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foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport
equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal
products |
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Import partners:
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Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 74%, EFTA 17%,
Zimbabwe 4% |
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Currency:
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pula (BWP) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |