Basic Facts

Basic Facts

(The Republic of Botswana)

Click on the Flag to go to a website where you can view the lyrics and listen to the National Athem! (Click on the flag when you get there to listen.)

Facts in Brief:

People:
The population of Botswana is 1,448,454, with the growth rate .76% and the population density is 6 people per square mile. There are four main ethnic groups- Batswana (95%), Kalanga, Basarwa, and Kgalagadi. The main languages spoken there are English, which is the official language, and Setswana. The two main religions are Indigenous and Christian, both 50% each. The average life span of the total population is only 39.27 years. In 2000, the average for births by an African woman was 3.8. 69.8% of the total population can read and write, which is pretty good compared to other countries.

Figures out of 1,000 People

  • Birth Rate: 29.63 births
  • Death Rate: 22.08 deaths
  • Infant Mortality Rate: 61.68 deaths




  • Geography Facts
  • Area- 224,607 sq miles
  • Neighbors- Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe
  • Capital: Gaborone (182,000)


    Economy
    Farming is what 80% of the people do in Botswana, but it only supplies 50% of the food. Cattle raising and mining have helped the economy grow.
    The official currency in Botswana is Pula. Their main industries are livestock processing, mining, and tourism.
  • Per Capita GDP: $3,100
  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $4.6 billion
  • Minerals: Copper, coal, nickel, diamonds, salt, silver
  • Chief Crops: Maize, sorghum, millet, pulses, and beans


    Government
    Botswana became completely independent on September 30, 1966. Botswana's government is Parliamentary republic, and the Head of State is President Festus Mogae, who was born on August 21, 1934, and became president on April 1, 1998. The National Holiday is Independence Day, on September 30.
    Botswana participates in many international organizations, such as: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, and WTrO.




    My Resources

    1. "http://www.emulateme.com". Date of Access: April 24, 2001.
    2. "http://www.iconbazaar.com". Date of Access: April 24, 2001.
    3. The 1999 World Almanac and Book of Facts. By Primedia Reference, Inc. Copyright 1998.
    4. "http://www.3dflags.com" Date of Access: April 25, 2001.
    5.
    "http://www.thenationalanthems.com" Date of Access: April 24, 2001
    6. "http://www.travelocity.com" Date of Access: April 25, 2001
    7. "http://www.classicsafaris.com" Date of Access: April 25, 2001

    Click on the Map to Go to the Top

    Intro Page Botswana's Culture
    By Adam Y.
    Botswana's Geography and Climate
    By: Aaron N.
    Botswana's History
    By: Alex R.

    Return to the Africa Page
    Created By: Jessa S.