Independence Year : 1966
Population : 1622000
Life Expectancy : 39.3
Capital : 204
GNP : 4834.00
GNP Old : 4935.00
Local Name : Botswana
Government Form : Republic
Location : Southern Africa, north of South Africa
Terrain : Desert and savanna, predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
Climate : Mostly subtropical, warm winters and hot summers
Ethnic Group : Tswana (or Setswana) 79%; Kalanga 11%; Kgalagadi, Herero, Bayeyi, Himbukush, Basarwa ("Bushmen"), Khoi ("Hottentots"), whites 10%.
Religions : Christianity 60%, indigenous beliefs 40%.
Official Website :
www.gov.bw/
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General Information - Botswana
Background
Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. The economy, one of the most robust on the continent, is dominated by diamond mining.
Botswana has a flourishing multiparty constitutional democracy. Each of the elections since independence has been freely and fairly contested and has been held on schedule. The country's small white minority and other minorities participate freely in the political process.
Tourism is an increasingly important industry in Botswana, accounting for almost 12% of GDP. One of the world's unique ecosystems, the Okavango Delta, is located in Botswana. The country offers excellent game viewing and birding both in the Delta and in the Chobe Game Reserve--home to one of the largest herds of free-ranging elephants in the world. Botswana's Central Kalahari Game Reserve also offers good game viewing and some of the most remote and unspoiled wilderness in southern Africa.
(Source: various sources)
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