Botswana

Capital: Gaborone Population: 2,029,307 Official Languages: English, Setswana Time Zone: +2 Dialing Code: +267

Government: Parliamentary republic Area: 581,730 km2 largest city: Gaborone Currency : Pula (BWP) ISO 3166 code: BW

Basic Info

Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana, is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens refer to themselves as "Batswana" (singular: Motswana), but many English-language sources use "Botswanan" instead. Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966. It has held free and fair democratic elections since independence.

Geography

At 581,730 km2 (224,607 sq mi) Botswana is the world's 48th-largest country (after Madagascar). It is comparable in size to Madagascar, and is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Texas or the Canadian province of Manitoba. It lies between latitudes 17° and 27°S, and longitudes 20° and 30°E.

Climate

Botswana is semi-arid, due to the short rain season. However, the relatively high altitude of the country and its continental situation gives it a subtropical climate. The country is remote from moisture-laden air flows for most of the year. The dry season lasts from April to October in the south and to November in the north where, however, rainfall totals are higher. The south of the country is most exposed to cold winds during the winter period (early May to late August) when average temperatures are around 14 °C (57.2 °F). The whole country has hot summers with average temperatures around 26 °C (78.8 °F). Sunshine totals are high all year round although winter is the sunniest period. The whole country is windy and dusty during the dry season.

Religion

According to the 2001 census, the country has around 5,000 muslims, 3,000 Hindus and 700 Baha'is, all mainly from South africa. Approximately 20% of citizens espouse no religion. Religious services are well attended in both rural and urban areas

Administrative divisions

Botswana is divided into 9 districts.

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