Country Profile · No. 4

Botswana

Capital / Admin Capital

GaboronePopulation: ~2.5MIndependence: 1966 (September 30)

First President

Seretse Khama (1966–1980)Current President: Mokgweetsi Masisi (serving since April 2018)

Geography & Borders

South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Landlocked country largely dominated by the Kalahari Desert.

Demographics & Language

Christianity (~70%+), traditional indigenous beliefs. Official: English language. National: Tswana language. Major groups: Tswana / Setswana people (~79%), Kalanga (~11%), Basarwa / San (~3%).

Economy & GDP

Diamond mining, eco-tourism, beef cattle ranching, copper/nickel mining.

Global Diaspora

1. South Africa (~50k), 2. United Kingdom (~15k), 3. Zimbabwe (~10k). U.S. Hubs (States / Cities): Washington D.C., Texas (Houston), California (San Francisco).

Major Conflicts

Batswana resistance against Boer expansion (19th century), Bechuanaland Protectorate border skirmishes during the South African Border War (1966–1989), cross-border raids by Rhodesian and South African security forces during the apartheid era.

3 Must-See Sites

1. Okavango Delta (A lush, unique inland delta system that floods annually, creating a thriving wildlife haven in the Kalahari), 2. Chobe National Park (World-famous park boasting massive herds of elephants and Cape buffalo along the Chobe River), 3. Tsodilo Hills (Sacred rock art site featuring over 4,500 ancient San rock paintings, known as the "Louvre of the Desert").

Quick Facts

Celebrated for having one of Africa's oldest continuous multi-party democracies and lowest corruption rates; home to the world's largest concentration of African elephants.