Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
View Text Low Bandwidth Version Download Publication
Africa :: Botswana
page last updated on June 9, 2011
Flag of Botswana
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Botswana
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Botswana
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of Botswana
 
Navigation Arrow view 8 photos Opens in New Window
of Botswana
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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.
Back to Top
Geography ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Southern Africa, north of South Africa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
22 00 S, 24 00 E
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 581,730 sq km
country comparison to the world: 47
land: 566,730 sq km
water: 15,000 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly smaller than Texas
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 4,013 km
border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km (landlocked)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (landlocked)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 0.65%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 99.34% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20 sq km (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14.7 cu km (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 0.19 cu km/yr (41%/18%/41%)
per capita: 107 cu m/yr (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
overgrazing; desertification; limited freshwater resources
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country
Back to Top
People ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,065,398 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
note: 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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 22.3 years
male: 22.2 years
female: 22.4 years (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.656% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
22.31 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 19
note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 61% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
GABORONE (capital) 196,000 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 11.14 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 142
male: 11.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 58.05 years
country comparison to the world: 192
male: 58.78 years
female: 57.3 years (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.5 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
24.8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
320,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
improved:
urban: 99% of population
rural: 90% of population
total: 95% of population
unimproved:
urban: 1% of population
rural: 10% of population
total: 5% of population (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
improved:
urban: 74% of population
rural: 39% of population
total: 60% of population
unimproved:
urban: 26% of population
rural: 61% of population
total: 40% of population (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English (official) 2.1%, other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 81.2%
male: 80.4%
female: 81.8% (2003 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 8
Back to Top
Government ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Republic of Botswana
conventional short form: Botswana
local long form: Republic of Botswana
local short form: Botswana
former: Bechuanaland
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
parliamentary republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Gaborone
geographic coordinates: 24 45 S, 25 55 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast, Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
30 September 1966 (from the UK)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
March 1965; effective 30 September 1966
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model and also customary and common law
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
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
election results: Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body with 8 ex-officio 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 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)
elections: National Assembly elections last held on 16 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Gilson SALESHANDO]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Daniel KWELAGOBE]; 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]
note: 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]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites)
other: diamond mining companies
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Tabelelo Mazile SERETSE
chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen J. NOLAN
embassy: Embassy Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone
mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone
telephone: [267] 395-3982
FAX: [267] 395-6947
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: "Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land)
lyrics/music: Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE
note: adopted 1966
Back to Top
Economy ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$28.49 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
$26.24 billion (2009 est.)
$27.24 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$14.03 billion (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
-3.7% (2009 est.)
3.1% (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$14,000 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
$13,200 (2009 est.)
$14,000 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 2.3%
industry: 45.8%
services: 51.9% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
685,300 formal sector employees (2007)
country comparison to the world: 151
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
30.3% (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
63 (1993)
country comparison to the world: 4
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
28.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $4.165 billion
expenditures: $5.888 billion (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
22.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
18.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
8.1% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 18
15% (31 December 2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13.76% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
16.54% (31 December 2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.146 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
$939.1 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$6.679 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
$5.357 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.361 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
$2.06 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$3.991 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 88
$3.556 billion (31 December 2008)
$5.887 billion (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; livestock processing; textiles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.052 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.648 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.181 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15,180 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$-552 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
$-762 million (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$4.419 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
$3.385 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$4.518 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
$4.243 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$7.834 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
$8.704 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.222 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
$1.681 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
pulas (BWP) per US dollar -
6.7413 (2010)
7.1551 (2009)
6.7907 (2008)
6.2035 (2007)
5.8447 (2006)
Back to Top
Communications ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
144,200 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 134
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.874 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 136
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
domestic: fixed-line teledensity has declined in recent years and now stands at roughly 7 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is rapidly approaching a teledensity of 100 telephones per 100 persons
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) (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.bw
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,739 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 148
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
120,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 154
Back to Top
Transportation ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
78 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 71
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 9
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 69
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 52
under 914 m: 13 (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 888 km
country comparison to the world: 93
narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 25,798 km
country comparison to the world: 102
paved: 8,410 km
unpaved: 17,388 km (2005)
Back to Top
Military ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Arm Command, Logistics Command (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; official minimum age is unknown (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 557,647
females age 16-49: 531,095 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 340,949
females age 16-49: 302,332 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 23,649
female: 23,063 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 38
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.