| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Africa |
| Geographical Location |
22° 00' South Latitude
24° 00' East Longitude |
| Surface Area |
600,370 sq km |
| Climate |
Semiarid; warm winters and hot summers |
| Natural Resources |
Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver |
|
| Political Information |
 |
|
| Country Name |
Republic of Botswana |
| Capital City |
Gaborone |
| Government Type |
Parliamentary republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northwest,
Northeast, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern |
| Independence Day |
30 September 1966 (from UK) |
|
| Demographical Information |
|
|
| Population |
1,640,115 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) |
| Ethnic Groups |
Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7% |
| Religion |
Indigenous beliefs 85%, Christian 15% |
| Languages |
English (official), Setswana |
| Population Growth Rate |
0% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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|
| Currency |
Pula (BWP) |
| Industries |
Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles |
| Labor Force |
264,000 formal sector employees (2000) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
NA |
| Agriculture Products |
Livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts |
| Export Commodities |
Diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles |
| Export Partners |
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 87%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 7%, Zimbabwe 4% (2000) |
| Import Commodities |
Foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products |
| Import Partners |
Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 74%, EFTA 17%, Zimbabwe 4% (2000) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
888 km |
| Highways |
10,217 km |
| Pipelines |
- |
| Airports |
85 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
- |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+267 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.bw |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
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. |
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