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| Botswana | Plants and Animal | Back to Top |
Botswana has ratified international agreements protecting endangered species and the ozone layer. The nation has also signed treaties limiting trade in endangered animal species.
| Botswana | Communications | Back to Top |
sparse system
Domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations.
International: two international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat.
| Botswana | Culture | Back to Top |
Western dress has been general among people in Botswana, except at the poorest level. Families in rural villages live in orthodox compounds, usually with two or three small houses of cylindrical clay walls and conical thatch roofs, set around an open fireplace and surrounded by low clay walls. Most recent houses are square with metal roofs, while many houses in the northwest are made of reed.
| Botswana | Defence | Back to Top |
Military branches: Botswana Defense Force (includes Army and Air Wing), Botswana National Police
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 380,152 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 199,995 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males
| Botswana | International Disputes | Back to Top |
None
| Botswana | Economy | Back to Top |
The economy of Botswana was formerly dependent on the export of live cattle and meat. Since the late 1960s the find and exploitation of mineral resources, notably diamonds, have assumed primary importance in export earnings. Income is also derived from the export of labor to South Africa. The around budget in 1997 included revenues of $2.2 billion and expenditures of $1.7 billion.
Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest growth rates since freedom 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 nation with a per capita GDP of $6,600 in 2000. Diamond mining has fueled much of Botswana's economic development and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for three-fourths of export earnings. Tourism, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. The government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially is 19%, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains.
Botswana has a free market economy with a strong tradition of central government planning to offer infrastructure for private investment. The economy has grown rapidly since the mid-1960s, with the per capita gross domestic product increasing from less than $50 to more than $1,000 by the mid-1980s.
| Botswana | Education | Back to Top |
In 2001 Botswana’s adult literacy rate neared 89 %. Most primary schools are supervised by the district councils and township authorities and are financed from local government revenues assisted by grants-in-aid from the central government. Virtually all primary school-aged children were listed in school in 1996, while 65 % of secondary school-aged children were listed. Specialized education was provided by teacher-training schools and vocational-training schools.
| Botswana | Government | Back to Top |
Botswana has a flourishing multiparty constitutional democracy. Each of the elections since freedom has been freely and fairly contested and has been held on schedule. The nation's small white minority and other minorities participate freely in the political process. There are two main rival parties and a number of smaller parties. In national elections in 1999, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) won 33 of 40 contested National Assembly seats, the Botswana National Front (BNF) won 6, and the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) won 1 seat. An additional 4 seats are held by individuals appointed by the President; all 4 are currently held by the ruling BDP. The opposition out-polled the ruling BDP in most urban areas. The openness of the nation's political system has been a remarkable factor in Botswana's stability and economic growth. General elections are held at least every 5 years.
The president has administrator power and is chosen by the National Assembly following nationwide legislative elections. The cabinet is selected by the president from the National Assembly; it consists of a vice president and a flexible number of ministers and assistant ministers, currently 13 and 4, respectively. The National Assembly has 40 elected and 4 appointed members; it is expanded following each census.
The roots of Botswana's democracy lie in Setswana traditions, exemplified by the Kgotla, or village council, in which the powers of orthodox leaders are limited by custom and law. Botswana's High Court has general civil and criminal jurisdiction. Judges are appointed by the president and may be removed only for cause and after a hearing. The constitution has a code of fundamental human rights enforced by the courts, and Botswana has a good human rights record.
Local government is administered by nine district councils and five town councils. District commissioners have administrator authority and are appointed by the central government and assisted by elected and nominated district councilors and district development committees.
| Botswana | History | Back to Top |
The Batswana, a term also used to denote all citizens of Botswana, refers to the nation's major ethnic group, which came into the area from South Africa during the Zulu wars of the early 1880s. Prior to European contact, the Batswana lived as herders and farmers under tribal rule.
In the late 19th century, hostilities broke out between the Batswana and Boer settlers from the Transvaal. After appeals by the Batswana for assistance, the British Government in 1885 put "Bechuanaland" under its protection. The northern territory remained under direct administration and is today's Botswana, while the southern territory became part of the Cape Colony and is now part of the northwest province of South Africa; the majority of Setswana-speaking people today live in South Africa.
In June 1964, Britain accepted proposals for democratic self-government in Botswana. The seat of government was moved from Mafikeng, in South Africa, to newly accomplished Gaborone in 1965. The 1965 constitution led to the first general elections and to freedom in September 1966. Seretse Khama, a leader in the freedom movement and the legitimate claimant to orthodox rule of the Batswana, was elected as the first president, re-elected twice, and died in office in 1980. The presidency passed to the sitting vice president, Ketumile Masire, who was elected in his own right in 1984 and re-elected in 1989 and 1994. Masire retired from office in 1998. The presidency passed to the sitting vice president, Festus Mogae, who was elected in his own right in 1999.
| Botswana | Introduction | Back to Top |
Republic of Botswana, formerly Bechuanaland, nation in the centre of southern Africa. It has an area of 566,730 sq km. The territory is roughly square around 600 miles from north to south and 600 miles from east to west with its eastern side protruding into a sharp point. Its eastern and southern borders are marked by river courses and an old wagon road. The capital is Gaborone.
Official Name- Republic of Botswana| Botswana | Land | Back to Top |
N/A
| Botswana | Languages | Back to Top |
English (official), and Setswana
| Botswana | Life | Back to Top |
The dominant ethnic identity in Botswana is Tswana. The nation's whole population is characterized as Batswana whatever their ethnic origin. Though no attempt to count population by ethnic origin has been made since 1946, likely less than half the population is ethnic Tswana by origin. There are far greater numbers of ethnic Tswana in South Africa. Tswana ethnic dominance in Botswana can be dated to the eight Tswana states which governed most of the area in the 19th century. Under British colonial rule, the populations of these states were given the official status of tribes, a term still used officially today.
| Botswana | organization | Back to Top |
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO.
| Botswana | People | Back to Top |
The Tawana state of northwestern Botswana can be seen as the least successful in incorporating other ethnic groups. Most of its population is Yei and Mbukushu by origin, related to riverine peoples in the Caprivi Strip, Angola, and Zambia to the north. Smaller numbers of Mbanderu and Herero have greater numbers of close relatives across the border in Namibia. The Subiya along the Chobe, closely related to people in the Caprivi Strip and Zambia, were excluded from the Tawana tribal reserve by the British.
| Botswana | Politics | Back to Top |
Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Festus MOGAE]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Kenneth KOMA]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Michael DINGAKE]; Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO] Main parties are: BDP, BNF, BCP; other minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim SETSHWAELO, chairman] but did not capture any parliamentary seats; the BAM parties are: the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO], the Botswana Peoples Party, the freedom Freedom Party [Motsamai MPHO], and the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE]
| Botswana | Provinces | Back to Top |
Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Ngamiland, North-East, Selebi-Pikwe*, South-East, Southern.
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| Botswana | Time | Back to Top |
| Botswana | Currency and General Information | Back to Top |
| Botswana Pulas | United States Dollars |
| 1.00 BWP | 0.149544 USD |
| 6.68700 BWP | 1 USD |
| Countries Currency Unit | USD/Unit | Units/USD | |
| DZD | Algeria Dinars | 0.0129554 | 77.1877 |
| USD | United States Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| ARS | Argentina Pesos | 0.341293 | 2.93004 |
| AUD | Australia Dollars | 0.533413 | 1.87472 |
| ATS | Austria Schillings ** | 0.0632609 | 15.8076 |
| BSD | Bahamas Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| BBD | Barbados Dollars | 0.502513 | 1.99000 |
| BEF | Belgium Francs ** | 0.0215788 | 46.3417 |
| BMD | Bermuda Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| BRL | Brazil Reals | 0.430318 | 2.32386 |
| GBP | United Kingdom Pounds | 1.42399 | 0.702251 |
| BGL | Bulgaria Leva | 0.447293 | 2.23567 |
| CAD | Canada Dollars | 0.627606 | 1.59336 |
| CLP | Chile Pesos | 0.00152392 | 656.202 |
| CNY | China Yuan Renminbi | 0.120813 | 8.27726 |
| CYP | Cyprus Pounds | 1.49883 | 0.667186 |
| CZK | Czech Republic Koruny | 0.0281883 | 35.4758 |
| DKK | Denmark Kroner | 0.117155 | 8.53568 |
| XCD | East Caribbean Dollars | 0.370370 | 2.70000 |
| EGP | Egypt Pounds | 0.217271 | 4.60255 |
| EUR | Euro | 0.870489 | 1.14878 |
| FJD | Fiji Dollars | 0.447227 | 2.23600 |
| FIM | Finland Markkaa ** | 0.146406 | 6.83034 |
| FRF | France Francs ** | 0.132705 | 7.53550 |
| DEM | Germany Deutsche Marks ** | 0.445074 | 2.24682 |
| XAU | Gold Ounces | 301.977 | 0.00331151 |
| GRD | Greece Drachmae ** | 0.00255463 | 391.447 |
| HKD | Hong Kong Dollars | 0.128215 | 7.79939 |
| HUF | Hungary Forint | 0.00358416 | 279.006 |
| ISK | Iceland Kronur | 0.00999868 | 100.013 |
| INR | India Rupees | 0.0205205 | 48.7319 |
| IDR | Indonesia Rupiahs | 0.000102055 | 9,798.61 |
| IEP | Ireland Pounds ** | 1.10529 | 0.904738 |
| ILS | Israel New Shekels | 0.212386 | 4.70841 |
| ITL | Italy Lire ** | 0.000449570 | 2,224.35 |
| JMD | Jamaica Dollars | 0.0210041 | 47.6099 |
| JPY | Japan Yen | 0.00754183 | 132.594 |
| JOD | Jordan Dinars | 1.41057 | 0.708931 |
| LBP | Lebanon Pounds | 0.000660937 | 1,513.00 |
| LUF | Luxembourg Francs ** | 0.0215788 | 46.3417 |
| MYR | Malaysia Ringgits | 0.263330 | 3.79751 |
| MXN | Mexico Pesos | 0.111007 | 9.00848 |
| NZD | New Zealand Dollars | 0.440474 | 2.27028 |
| NOK | Norway Kroner | 0.113022 | 8.84780 |
| NLG | Netherlands Guilders ** | 0.395011 | 2.53158 |
| PKR | Pakistan Rupees | 0.0166945 | 59.9000 |
| PHP | Philippines Pesos | 0.0196386 | 50.9202 |
| XPT | Platinum Ounces | 510.962 | 0.00195709 |
| PLN | Poland Zlotych | 0.243488 | 4.10699 |
| PTE | Portugal Escudos ** | 0.00434198 | 230.310 |
| ROL | Romania Lei | 0.0000303433 | 32,956.21 |
| RUR | Russia Rubles | 0.0321342 | 31.1195 |
| SAR | Saudi Arabia Riyals | 0.266668 | 3.74998 |
| XAG | Silver Ounces | 4.65692 | 0.214734 |
| SGD | Singapore Dollars | 0.542540 | 1.84318 |
| SKK | Slovakia Koruny | 0.0208441 | 47.9751 |
| ZAR | South Africa Rand | 0.0883340 | 11.3207 |
| KRW | South Korea Won | 0.000759354 | 1,316.91 |
| ESP | Spain Pesetas ** | 0.00523174 | 191.141 |
| XDR | IMF Special Drawing Rights | 1.24862 | 0.800882 |
| SDD | Sudan Dinars | 0.00384615 | 260.000 |
| SEK | Sweden Kronor | 0.0964189 | 10.3714 |
| CHF | Switzerland Francs | 0.593789 | 1.68410 |
| TWD | Taiwan New Dollars | 0.0286531 | 34.9002 |
| THB | Thailand Baht | 0.0230087 | 43.4619 |
| TTD | Trinidad and Tobago Dollars | 0.163399 | 6.12000 |
| TRL | Turkey Liras | 0.000000763622 | 1,309,549.07 |
| VEB | Venezuela Bolivares | 0.00108696 | 920.000 |
| ZMK | Zambia Kwacha | 0.000239866 | 4,169.00 |
| Botswana : Geographic coordinates | 22 00 S, 24 00 E |
| Botswana : Population growth rate | 0.47% |
| Botswana : Birth rate | 28.85 births/1,000 population |
| Botswana : Death rate | 24.18 deaths/1,000 population |
| Botswana : People living with HIV/AIDS | 290,000 |
| Botswana : Independence | 30 September 1966 |
| Botswana : National holiday | 30 September 1966 |
| Botswana : Constitution | 30 September 1966 |
| Botswana : GDP | purchasing power parity - $10.4 billion |
| Botswana : GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $6,600 |
| Botswana : Electricity - consumption | 1.517 billion kWh |
| Botswana : Exports | $2.6 billion diamonds, vehicles, copper, nickel, meat |
| Botswana : Imports | $2.2 billion foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, textiles, petroleum |
| Botswana : Telephones | 86,000 |
| Botswana : Mobile cellular | N/A |
| Botswana : Radio broadcast stations | AM 7, FM 15, shortwave 5 |
| Botswana : Radios | 237,000 |
| Botswana : Television broadcast stations | N/A |
| Botswana : Televisions | 31,000 |
| Botswana : Internet country code | .bw |
| Botswana : Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 3 |
| Botswana : Internet users | 12,000 |
| Botswana : Railways | 888 km |
| Botswana : Highways | 18,482 km |
| Botswana : Waterways | N/A |
| Botswana : Pipelines | N/A |
| Botswana : Ports and harbors | N/A |
| Botswana : Merchant marine | N/A |
| Botswana : Airports | 92 |
| Botswana : Heliports | N/A |
| Botswana : Military branches | Botswana Defense Force |
| Botswana : Military expenditures | $61 million |