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{{country

{{Country

|map=Bc-map.gif

|flag=Flag of Botswana.jpg

|map         =Botswana rel95.jpg

|capital=Gaborone

|map2          =Location of Botswana.png

|president=Festus Mogae

|flag         =Flag of Botswana.jpg

|capital =Gaborone

|president =Seretse Khama Ian Khama

}}

}}

'''Botswana''' is a nation of southern [[Africa]] bounded by [[South Africa]], [[Namibia]], and [[Zimbabwe]]; it is disputed whether Botswana shares a border with [[Zambia]]. It has an area of 224,468 square miles (581,370 sq km) and a population of 1.82 million (2007 est). The capital city is Gaberone.

'''Botswana''' is a nation of southern [[Africa]] bounded by [[South Africa]], [[Namibia]], and [[Zimbabwe]]; it is disputed whether Botswana shares a border with [[Zambia]]. It has an area of 224,468 square miles (581,370 sq km) and a population of 1.82 million (2007 est). The capital city is Gaberone.

==People==

==People==

The Batswana, a term also used to denote all citizens of Botswana, refers to the country's major ethnic group (the "Tswana" in South Africa), which came into the area from South Africa during the Zulu wars of the early 1800s. Prior to European contact, the Batswana lived as herders and farmers under tribal rule.  

The Batswana, a term also used to denote all citizens of Botswana, refers to the country's major ethnic group (the "Tswana" in South Africa), which came into the area from South Africa during the Zulu wars of the early 1800s. Prior to European contact, the Batswana lived as herders and farmers under tribal rule.  

*Population (2003): 1.76 million.

*Annual population growth rate (2002): 0.6%.

*Population (est.): 1.84 million.

*Annual population growth rate (2008): 1.434%.

*Ethnic groups: Tswana 79%; Kalanga 11%; Kgalagadi, Herero, Bayeyi, Hambukush, Basarwa ("San"), Khoi, whites 10%.

*Ethnic groups: Tswana 79%; Kalanga 11%; Kgalagadi, Herero, Bayeyi, Hambukush, Basarwa ("San"), Khoi, whites 10%.

*Religions: Christianity 70%, none 20%, indigenous beliefs 6%, other 4%.

*Religions: Christianity 70%, none 20%, indigenous beliefs 6%, other 4%.

*Languages: English (official), Setswana, Ikalanga.

*Languages: English (official), Setswana, Ikalanga.

*Education: Adult literacy--81%.

*Education: Adult literacy--81%.

*Health (2004): Life expectancy--33.9 years. Infant mortality rate--56/1,000.

*Health (2008): Life expectancy--50.6 years. Infant mortality rate--44.01/1,000.

*Work force (2003): 274,000.

*Work force (2005/2006 est.): 548,600 employed; total including unemployed, 651,500.

*HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 37.3% (2003 est.)

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===  

*President--Festus G. Mogae

*President--Lt. Gen. (ret.) Seretse Khama Ian Khama

*Vice President--Lt. Gen. (ret) Seretse Khama Ian Khama

*Vice President--Lt. Gen. (ret.) Mompati S. Merafhe

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

==Economy==

==Economy==

Since independence, Botswana has had the fastest growth in per capita income in the world. Economic growth averaged over 9% per year from 1967-97. The government has maintained a sound fiscal policy, despite three consecutive budget deficits in 2002-2004, and a negligible level of foreign debt. Foreign exchange reserves were $5 billion at the end of December 2005, equivalent to 22 months of imports of goods and services. Botswana's impressive economic record has been built on the foundation of wisely using revenue generated from diamond mining to fuel economic development through prudent fiscal policies and a cautious foreign policy. However, economic development spending was cut by 10% in 2002/2003 as a result of recurring budget deficits and rising expenditure on healthcare services. While development spending was budgeted to increase by 12.3% in the 2005/2006 fiscal year, the bulk of the money was to be spent on ongoing projects and maintenance rather than new infrastructure. Real GDP growth was expected to slow in 2005 to between 3% and 4% from its 5.7% growth rate in 2004. The government recognizes that HIV/AIDS will continue to affect the economy and is providing leadership and programs to combat the epidemic, including free anti-retroviral treatment and a nationwide Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission program.  

Since independence, Botswana has had the fastest growth in per capita income in the world. Economic growth averaged over 9% per year from 1967-97. The government has maintained a sound fiscal policy, despite three consecutive budget deficits in 2002-2004, and a negligible level of foreign debt. Foreign exchange reserves were $5 billion at the end of December 2005, equivalent to 22 months of imports of goods and services. Botswana's impressive economic record has been built on the foundation of wisely using revenue generated from diamond mining to fuel economic development through prudent fiscal policies and a cautious foreign policy. However, economic development spending was cut by 10% in 2002/2003 as a result of recurring budget deficits and rising expenditure on healthcare services. While development spending was budgeted to increase by 12.3% in the 2005/2006 fiscal year, the bulk of the money was to be spent on ongoing projects and maintenance rather than new infrastructure. Real GDP growth was expected to slow in 2005 to between 3% and 4% from its 5.7% growth rate in 2004. The government recognizes that HIV/AIDS will continue to affect the economy and is providing leadership and programs to combat the epidemic, including free anti-retroviral treatment and a nationwide Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission program.  

*Nominal GDP (2004/2005): $9.2 billion.

*Nominal GDP (2008): $14.025 billion.

*Real GDP growth rate (2004/2005): 5.1%

*Real GDP growth rate: 3.5%.

*Per capita nominal GDP (2004/2005): $5,336.

*Per capita nominal GDP (2008): $7,343.

*Natural resources: Diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, soda ash, salt, gold, potash.

*Natural resources: Diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, soda ash, salt, gold, potash.

*Agriculture (2.1% of GDP, 2004/2005): Products--livestock, sorghum, white maize, millet, cowpeas, beans.

*Agriculture (1.6% of real GDP, 2007/2008): Products--livestock, sorghum, white maize, millet, cowpeas, beans.

*Industry: Types--mining (38% of GDP): diamonds, copper, nickel, coal; tourism, textiles, construction, tourism, beef processing, chemical products production, food and beverage production.

*Industry: Types--mining (36% of real GDP, 2007/2008): diamonds, copper, nickel, coal; tourism, textiles, construction, tourism, beef processing, chemical products production, food and beverage production.

*Trade (2003/2004): Exports--$2.9 billion: diamonds, nickel, copper, meat products, textiles, hides, skins, and soda ash. Partners--EU, South Africa, Zimbabwe. Imports--$2.9 billion: machinery, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals, fuels. Major suppliers--South Africa, EU, and U.S.  

*Trade (2008): Exports--$5.127 billion f.o.b.: diamonds, nickel, copper, meat products, textiles, hides, skins, and soda ash. Partners--EU, South Africa. Imports--$3.931 billion f.o.b.: machinery, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals, fuels. Major suppliers--South Africa, EU, and U.S.  

====Mining====

====Mining====

Despite South African pressure, inhabitants of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, Basuotoland (now Lesotho), and Swaziland in 1909 asked for and received British assurances that they would not be included in the proposed Union of South Africa. An expansion of British central authority and the evolution of tribal government resulted in the 1920 establishment of two advisory councils representing Africans and Europeans. Proclamations in 1934 regularized tribal rule and powers. A European-African advisory council was formed in 1951, and the 1961 constitution established a consultative legislative council.  

Despite South African pressure, inhabitants of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, Basuotoland (now Lesotho), and Swaziland in 1909 asked for and received British assurances that they would not be included in the proposed Union of South Africa. An expansion of British central authority and the evolution of tribal government resulted in the 1920 establishment of two advisory councils representing Africans and Europeans. Proclamations in 1934 regularized tribal rule and powers. A European-African advisory council was formed in 1951, and the 1961 constitution established a consultative legislative council.  

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 established Gaborone in 1965. The 1965 constitution led to the first general elections and to independence in September 1966. Seretse Khama, a leader in the independence movement and the legitimate claimant to traditional rule of the Bamangwato, 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. Mogae won a second term in elections held October 30, 2004.  

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 established Gaborone in 1965. The 1965 constitution led to the first general elections and to independence in September 1966. Seretse Khama, a leader in the independence movement and the legitimate claimant to traditional rule of the Bamangwato, 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. Mogae won a second term in elections held October 30, 2004. Mogae won a second term in elections held October 30, 2004 and stepped down in accordance with national term limits on March 31, 2008. On April 1, 2008 former Vice President Ian Khama assumed the presidency. The next general election is expected in October 2009.

 

[[Category:African Countries]]

[[Category:African Countries]]

[[Category:Landlocked Countries]]

[[Category:Landlocked Countries]]