Botswana is located in Southern Africa, north of South Africa.
Botswana has borders with Namibia for 1360km, South Africa for 1840km and Zimbabwe for 813km.
Land in Botswana is predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest.
Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) land covers an area of 600370 square kilometers which is slightly smaller than Texas
As for the Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) climate; semiarid; warm winters and hot summers.
Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) speak Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census).
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(BC02) (BC07) Botswana (general) Central Ghanzi Kgalagadi Kgatleng | Kweneng North East North West South East Southern |
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 has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966. 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 $10,000 in 2005. 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 is 23.8%, 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.
Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) natural resources include diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver
landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country
Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) religion is Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census).
Natural hazards in Botswana include periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility.