Official Name: Republic of Botswana
Currency: Botswana pula
Current Exchange Rate: |
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Hemisphere: Southern
Continent: Africa
Location: In Southern Africa. Neighbors: Namibia on N and W, South Africa on S. Zimbabwe on NE, Botswana claims border with Zambia on N.
Area: 224,848 sq mi, 582,356 sq km
Form of Government: Multiparty republic with a one legislative body
(National Assembly 63)
Population: (2007) 1,882,000
Population Density: (2007) persons per sq mi 8.4, persons per sq km 3.2
Principal Language(s): Setswana, Kalanga, English (official)
Religions: Christian 72%, Badimo 5%, none 21%
Capital: Gaborone
Capital Population: 199,600
Capital Average Temperature: Maximum: 28.3 degrees Celsius, 82.9 degrees Fahrenheit
Major Cities: Francistown 89,100, Molepolole 58,600, Selebi-Pikwe 53,500,
Maun 47,000
Topography: The Kalahari Desert, supporting nomadic Bushmen and wildlife, spreads over SW; there are swamplands and farming areas in N, and rolling plains in E where livestock are grazed.
Economy: G.D.P. $ 24.14 billion
G.D.P. per Capita: $ 14,700
Vital Statistics: Birth rate per 1,000 population (2005): 25.5 (world avg. 20.3). Death rate per 1,000 population (2005); 15.2 (world avg. 8.6) Total fertility rate (avg. births per childbearing woman 2005) 3.04. Life expectancy at birth (2005) male 48.1 years; female 49.0 years
Government Website: www.gov.bw
Reference Sources: The World Almanac 2009, The New York Times Almanac 2009, Time Almanac 2009, World Climate website.
