Botswana

Botswana Background

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.

Botswana Information

• Population: 1,561,973 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the d
• Nationality: noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
• Location:: Southern Africa, north of South Africa
• Religions:: indigenous beliefs 85%, Christian 15%
• Ethnic Groups:: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%
• Land Boundaries:: total: 4,013 km border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km
• Area: total: 600,370 sq km water: 15,000 sq km land: 585,370 sq km
• Coast Line: 0 km (landlocked)
• Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
• Terrain: predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
• Maritime Claims: none (landlocked)
• Land Use: arable land: 0.65% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.34% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources
• Natural Resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver
• Highways: total: 10,217 km paved: 5,619 km unpaved: 4,598 km (1999)
• Railways: total: 888 km narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2003)
• Ports & Harbours: none
• Airports: 85 (2003 est.)