Official Name : The Republic of Botswana
Capital : Gaborone
Independence : September 30, 1966
Formerly known as : The Bechuanaland Protectorate, a protectorate under the British empire.
Government Type : Republic , Parliamentary democracy
President - Ian Khama
Vice President - Mompati S. Merafhe
Geography : The landlocked country spans
582,000 sq. km - about the size of Texas.
Climate : semi-arid
Population : 1.9 million (UN 2009)
Ethnic groups :
Tswana (majority group) - 79%
Kalanga -11%
Basarwa - 3%
Other, including whites - 7%
Languages : English (official) , Setswana, Kalanga
Natural Resources : Diamonds (one of the world's largest producer -in gem quality/value) , nickel, copper, soda ash , gold
Main Imports: food,electric goods, machinery, transport
*HDI : 0.694 - a .94% increase annually since 1980
Ranked 125th out of 182
Economy - Relies primarily on diamond mining industry, safari tourism and agriculture & cattle.
It's GDP has also grown significantly since independence , starting from being one of the poorest countries to a middle income country with a GDP of $14,100 (2008)
Economy - Relies primarily on diamond mining industry, safari tourism and agriculture & cattle.
It's GDP has also grown significantly since independence , starting from being one of the poorest countries to a middle income country with a GDP of $14,100 (2008)
* Diamond mining has played an especially large role in the great success of Botswana's incredible amount of economic success in such a short span of time.
Botswana and It's Neighbors
-Member of SADC, must comply with SADC member states and rules under the SADC organization.
- Main problems for Botswana are caused by neighboring nation of Zimbabwe, immigrants and refugees flee across the border from Zimbabwe to escape their own country's economic and political problems.
*Khama, however, has been very critical of Mugabe and declared that Botswana did not recognize his election. (The only SADC country to do so)
- Maintains a relatively good relationship in the United States.
*President Khama made visit to the White House in November 2009.
" (Botswana) has been a great partner to the US." - President Obama
-Member of SADC, must comply with SADC member states and rules under the SADC organization.
- Main problems for Botswana are caused by neighboring nation of Zimbabwe, immigrants and refugees flee across the border from Zimbabwe to escape their own country's economic and political problems.
*Khama, however, has been very critical of Mugabe and declared that Botswana did not recognize his election. (The only SADC country to do so)
- Maintains a relatively good relationship in the United States.
*President Khama made visit to the White House in November 2009.
" (Botswana) has been a great partner to the US." - President Obama
Current Events
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