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BRIEF HISTORY

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.

Botswana is a member of ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

GEOGRAPHY

Border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km.

CLIMATE

Semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

TERRAIN

Predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver.

POPULATION

1,639,833

ETHNIC GROUPS

Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%.

LANGUAGES

Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)

COUNTRY NAME

Conventional long form: Republic of Botswana
Conventional short form: Botswana
Local long form: Republic of Botswana
Local short form: Botswana
Former: Bechuanaland

GOVERNMENT TYPE

Parliamentary republic

CAPITAL CITY

Gaborone

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast, Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern.

INDEPENDENCE

30 September 1966 (from UK)

NATIONAL HOLIDAY

Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966).

CONSTITUTION

March 1965, effective 30 September 1966

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008) and Vice President Lt. General Mompati Merafhe (since 1 April 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008) and Vice President  Lt. General Mompati Merafhe (since 1 April 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held in 2009); vice president appointed by the president
election results: Festus G. MOGAE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 52%

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body with 8 permanent members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3 members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (63 seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 are appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney-General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms)
elections: National Assembly elections last held 30 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 51.7%, BNF 26.1%, BCP 16.6%, other 5%; seats by party - BDP 44, BNF 12, BCP 1

JUDICIAL BRANCH

High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district)

ECONOMY BRIEF

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 $10,000 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.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts

INDUSTRIES

Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles

EXPORT COMMODITIES

Diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles

IMPORT COMMODITIES

Foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products.

CURRENCY CODE

Pula (BWP)

INTERNET COUNTRY CODE

.bw

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