Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
In the early 1800s, multiple political entities in what is now Botswana were destabilized or destroyed by a series of conflicts and population movements in southern Africa. By the end of this period, the Tswana ethnic group, who also live across the border in South Africa, had become the most prominent group in the area. In 1852, Tswana forces halted the expansion of white Afrikaner settlers who were seeking to expand their territory northwards into what is now Botswana. In 1885, Great Britain claimed territory that roughly corresponds with modern day Botswana as a protectorate called Bechuanaland.
- Capital
- Gaborone
- Government
- parliamentary republic
- Population
- 2,521,534
- Area
- 581,730 sq km
- Location
- Southern Africa, north of South Africa
- Climate
- semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
- Natural resources
- diamonds; copper; nickel; salt; soda ash; potash…
- Languages
- Setswana 77.3%; Sekalanga 7.4%; Shekgalagadi 3.4%; English (official) 2.8%…
- Religions
- Christian 79.1%; Badimo 4.1%; other 1.4% (includes Baha'i; Hindu…
- Independence
- 30 September 1966 (from the UK)
- Administrative divisions
- 10 districts and 6 town councils*; Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kwene…
- Currency
- pulas (BWP)
- Export partners
- UAE 27%; India 17%; Belgium 16%; South Africa 8%…
- Import partners
- South Africa 65%; Namibia 8%; Canada 5%; China 3%…
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain