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The Republic of Botswana is a country situated in the South Africa. It has been a British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence on 30th September 1966. It is land locked by South Africa in the South and south east, in the west by Namibia, in the north by Zambia and towards the north east by Zimbabwe.
Land area: 226,012 Sq mi (585,371 sq km)
Total area: 231,803 sq mi (600,370 sq km)
Botswana is the 45th largest country of the world. Covered by the Kalahari Desert, that lies in the south west of the country and cover upto 70% of the land area. In the north east is the Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world. Towards the north lies the Makgadikgadi pan, which is a large salt pan. The terrain is predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland.
The climate is semiarid. Winters are warm and summers are hot. Botswana has to witness droughts periodically. Seasonal, August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility .
The Natural resources found in Botswana are principally diamond, which also dominates the economy; other resources are nickel, soda ash, salt, copper, iron ore, potash and silver.
One of he major concerns for Botswana is that it has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/ AIDS infection, although it has one of the most progressive and comprehensive programs to deal with the killer disease, in Africa.
Capital city: Gaborone |
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| People |
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The ethnic groups residing in Botswana are Tswana or Setswana with 79% of the population, Kalanga with 11% , Basarwa is only 3% and Others, that includes Kgalagadi and white 7%, it also consists of Indian or Asians of several generations from Kenya, Zambia, Mauritius, south Africa etc.
71.6% of the population follow Christianity, 6% are followers of Badimo religion. Major languages are Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4%.
Football is the most popular sport, other popular sports are volleyball, softball and athleticsa. Botswana is also an associate member of International cricket Council.
Literacy rate: 80% |
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| Economy |
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Botswana has one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966.It has diversified itself from being one of the poorest countries to a middle income country. The economy transformation is heavily dominated and generated by the diamond mining. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. Tourism plays a major role in the Botswana economy. A number of national parks and game reserves, with their bounteous wildlife and wetlands, are a top draw for tourists.
The industrial produce apart from diamonds are copper, nickel, potash, salt, soda ash, livestock processing, textiles.
The agricultural products to be found and grown in Botswana are livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts.
Monetary unit: Pula |
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| Politics |
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The government in Botswana is parliamentary republic. The framework is of a parliamentary representative democratic republic. The president is both the head of state and Government. The cabinet is appointed by the president. The elections are generally held after every five years of tenure, the vice president is appointed by the president. The executive powers are exercised by the government. Both the government and the parliament of Botswana exercise the legislative power. Botswana democratic party dominates the party system ever since independence.
President: Festus G. MOGAE
Vice president: Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA
Botswana is divided in to nine districts Central, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, kweneng, North-east, north-west, South east Southern. The main cities are Gaborone (also the capital city and Francistown. There are many towns and villages as well. |
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