2011 Edition

Background

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.

Area

581,730 sq km 566,730 sq km 15,000 sq km

total

581,730 sq km

water

15,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Texas

Climate

semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m

highest point

Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m

lowest point

junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m

Environment - current issues

overgrazing; desertification; limited freshwater resources

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.19 cu km/yr (41%/18%/41%) 107 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

107 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.19 cu km/yr (41%/18%/41%)

Geographic coordinates

22 00 S, 24 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country

Irrigated land

20 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

4,013 km Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km

border countries

Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km

total

4,013 km

Land use

0.65% 0.01% 99.34% (2005)

arable land

0.65%

other

99.34% (2005)

permanent crops

0.01%

Location

Southern Africa, north of South Africa

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility

Natural resources

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver

Terrain

predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest

Total renewable water resources

14.7 cu km (2001)

Age structure

33.9% (male 356,346/female 343,452) 62.2% (male 649,931/female 634,998) 3.9% (male 32,542/female 48,129) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

33.9% (male 356,346/female 343,452)

15-64 years

62.2% (male 649,931/female 634,998)

65 years and over

3.9% (male 32,542/female 48,129) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

22.31 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

10.7% (2000)

Death rate

10.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 99% of population rural: 90% of population total: 95% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 10% of population total: 5% of population (2008)

rural

10% of population

total

5% of population (2008)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

8.9% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

10.3% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

24.8% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

5,800 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

320,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.81 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

11.14 deaths/1,000 live births 11.76 deaths/1,000 live births 10.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

10.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

11.14 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

58.05 years 58.78 years 57.3 years (2011 est.)

female

57.3 years (2011 est.)

total population

58.05 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 81.2% 80.4% 81.8% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

81.8% (2003 est.)

male

80.4%

total population

81.2%

Major cities - population

GABORONE (capital) 196,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria (2009)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

190 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

22.3 years 22.2 years 22.4 years (2011 est.)

female

22.4 years (2011 est.)

male

22.2 years

total

22.3 years

Nationality

Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

adjective

Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

noun

Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

Net migration rate

4.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.336 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

2,065,398 (July 2011 est.) 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population growth rate

1.656% (2011 est.)

Religions

Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 74% of population rural: 39% of population total: 60% of population urban: 26% of population rural: 61% of population total: 40% of population (2008)

rural

61% of population

total

40% of population (2008)

urban

26% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 12 years 12 years (2007)

female

12 years (2007)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.68 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.68 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.5 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

61% of total population (2010) 2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

61% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Gaborone 24 45 S, 25 55 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

24 45 S, 25 55 E

name

Gaborone

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

March 1965; effective 30 September 1966

Country name

Republic of Botswana Botswana Republic of Botswana Botswana Bechuanaland

conventional long form

Republic of Botswana

conventional short form

Botswana

former

Bechuanaland

local long form

Republic of Botswana

local short form

Botswana

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Michelle D. GAVIN Embassy Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone [267] 395-3982 [267] 395-6947

chief of mission

Ambassador Michelle D. GAVIN

embassy

Embassy Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone

FAX

[267] 395-6947

mailing address

Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone

telephone

[267] 395-3982

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Tabelelo Mazile SERETSE 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 244-4990 [1] (202) 244-4164

chancery

1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Tabelelo Mazile SERETSE

FAX

[1] (202) 244-4164

telephone

[1] (202) 244-4990

Executive branch

President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008) Cabinet appointed by the president president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); vice president appointed by the president Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA

elections

president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); vice president appointed by the president

head of government

President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008)

Flag description

light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center; the blue symbolizes water in the form of rain, while the black and white bands represent racial harmony

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

30 September 1966 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

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

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model and also customary and common law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 35-member body with 8 ex-officio members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 27 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, of which 22 are indirectly elected with the remaining 5 appointed by the President) and the National Assembly (63 seats; 57 members directly elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms) National Assembly elections last held on 16 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014) percent of vote by party - BDP 53.3%, BNF 21.9%, BCP 19.2%, 2.3%, other 3.3%; seats by party - BDP 45, BNF 6, BCP 4, BAM 1, other 1

election results

percent of vote by party - BDP 53.3%, BNF 21.9%, BCP 19.2%, 2.3%, other 3.3%; seats by party - BDP 45, BNF 6, BCP 4, BAM 1, other 1

elections

National Assembly elections last held on 16 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

National anthem

"Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land) Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE adopted 1966

lyrics/music

Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE

name

"Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land)

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

zebra

Political parties and leaders

Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Gilson SALESHANDO]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Daniel KWELAGOBE]; Botswana Movement for Democracy or BMD [Gomolemo MOTSWALEDI]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Bernard BALIKANI]; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS [Themba JOINA]; New Democratic Front or NDF [Dick BAYFORD] a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites) diamond mining companies

other

diamond mining companies

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts

Budget

$4.656 billion $5.638 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$5.638 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$4.656 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 10% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.46% (31 December 2010 est.) 13.76% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$340.2 million (2010 est.) -$543 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$2.499 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.617 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

63 (1993)

Economy - overview

Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966, though growth fell below 5% in 2007-08, and turned sharply negative in 2009, with industry falling nearly 30%. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $13,100 in 2010. 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, 70-80% of export earnings, and about half of the government's revenues. Botswana's heavy reliance on a single luxury export was a critical factor in the sharp economic contraction of 2009. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. Although unemployment was 7.5% in 2007 according to official reports, unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is second highest in the world and threatens Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond mining production within the next two decades overshadows long-term prospects.

Electricity - consumption

2.85 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.959 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

593 million kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

pulas (BWP) per US dollar - 6.7413 (2010) 7.1551 (2009) 6.7907 (2008) 6.2035 (2007) 5.8447 (2006)

Exports

$4.591 billion (2010 est.) $3.435 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles

GDP - composition by sector

2.1% 45.8% 52% (2009 est.)

agriculture

2.1%

industry

45.8%

services

52% (2009 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,000 (2010 est.) $13,200 (2009 est.) $14,000 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

8.6% (2010 est.) -3.7% (2009 est.) 3.1% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$14.03 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$28.49 billion (2010 est.) $26.24 billion (2009 est.) $27.24 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$4.767 billion (2010 est.) $3.998 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Industrial production growth rate

7.9% (2010 est.)

Industries

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; livestock processing; textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7% (2010 est.) 8.1% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

1.225 million formal sector employees (2009 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.076 billion (31 December 2010) $3.991 billion (31 December 2009) $3.556 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

15,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

15,590 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

30.3% (2003)

Public debt

19.9% of GDP (2010 est.) 17.6% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.885 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $8.704 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$6.654 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.802 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.466 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $122.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.438 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.065 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.5% (2007 est.)

Broadcast media

2 TV stations - 1 state-owned and 1 privately-owned; privately-owned satellite TV subscription service is available; 2 state-owned national radio stations; 3 privately-owned radio stations broadcast locally (2007)

Internet country code

.bw

Internet hosts

2,739 (2010)

Internet users

120,000 (2009)

Telephone system

Botswana is participating in regional development efforts; expanding fully digital system with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east as well as a system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relays links, and radiotelephone communication stations fixed-line teledensity has declined in recent years and now stands at roughly 7 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity now exceeds 100 telephones per 100 persons country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2010)

domestic

fixed-line teledensity has declined in recent years and now stands at roughly 7 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity now exceeds 100 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

Botswana is participating in regional development efforts; expanding fully digital system with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east as well as a system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relays links, and radiotelephone communication stations

international

country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

137,400 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.363 million (2010)

Airports

78 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2010)

total

9

Airports - with unpaved runways

13 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

52

total

69

under 914 m

13 (2010)

Railways

888 km 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2010)

total

888 km

Roadways

25,798 km 8,410 km 17,388 km (2005)

total

25,798 km

unpaved

17,388 km (2005)

Manpower available for military service

557,647 531,095 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

531,095 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

557,647

Manpower fit for military service

340,949 302,332 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

302,332 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

340,949

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

23,649 23,063 (2010 est.)

female

23,063 (2010 est.)

male

23,649

Military branches

Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Arm Command, Defense Logistics Command, Special Forces Group (2011)

Botswana Defense Force (BDF)

Ground Forces Command, Air Arm Command, Defense Logistics Command, Special Forces Group (2011)

Military expenditures

3.3% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; official minimum age is unknown (2001)

Disputes - international

none