About
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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Source: The World Factbook
Population: 1,640,115
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 distribution
of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2005 est.)
Capital: Gaborone
Languages: Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001
census)
Religions: Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census)
Government: parliamentary republic
Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
Terrain: predominantly flat to
gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
Geography: landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country
Ethnic groups: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%,
other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%
Economy: 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 $10,100 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 overshadow long-term
prospects.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,100 (2005 est.)
GDP real growth: 4.5% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 23.8% (2004)
Internet country code: .bw
Dial code: +267
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Local currency is the Botswanan Pula
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