Botswana is one of Africa's success stories, with a stable and functioning multiparty, democratic government. Freedom of speech, the press and religion are constitutionally guaranteed. On September 30, 1966 the country became the independent Republic of Botswana with Sir Seretse Khama as its first President.

Botswana has enjoyed uninterrupted economic growth and soaring per capita incomes in most years since diamond mining began in 1971. The diamond industry transformed Botswana from an agricultural-based economy to one in which diamonds account for 80 percent of exports and 50 percent of government revenue. By value, Botswana is the largest diamond producer in the world with an annual output of well over 17 million carats.

Facts and Figures

Name Botswana
(long form) Republic of Botswana

Population 1,700,000

Capital City Gaborone (186,007)
languages Setswana, English and others

National Day September 30

Official Currency Pula (BWP)

Religions Christian (75%), Badimo, and others

Geographic Coordinates

Relative Location Located south of the Equator and dissected by the Tropic of Capricorn, Botswana is in both the eastern and southern hemispheres. This landlocked country is positioned in southern Africa, and bordered by the countries of Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Land Statistics

Coastline 0 (landlocked)

Land Area 569,582 sq km (219,916 sq miles)

Landforms The flat southern African plateau covers much of the country, with an average elevation of 3,300 ft. The Kalahari Desert blankets the southwest.

To the north, the Okavango Delta provides a thriving oasis, while numerous salt lakes and pans attract an array of migrant waterfowl, including Flamingos.

Additional landforms include savanna grasslands in the east, and a dry shrub along the western border with Namibia.

Significant rivers include the Limpopo, Okavango, Chobe and Shashe.

Botswana tourism