History & Economy
Location: Southern Africa, between 20° and 30° east, and between 18° and 27° south
Size: 581,370km2
Climate: Subtropical. Summer: 19–33°C; winter: 5–23°C
Time: GMT +2
Electricity: 220 volts
Weights and measures: Metric
International telephone code: + 267
Status: Republic
GDP: $6,600 per capita (2000)
Currency: Pula (BWP)
Population: 1,586,119 (2001 estimate)
Population growth per year: 0.47% (2001 estimate)
Life expectancy at birth: Male 36 years, female 37 years
Infant mortality: 63.2/1,000 live births (2001 estimate)
Economy: Major earners: diamonds, copper, nickel
Capital: Gaborone; population 192,845 (1998)
Other main towns: Francistown, Lobatse, Selebi-Phikwe, Orapa
Language: English (official), Setswana (national), Shona, other local languages
Religion: Christianity; traditional beliefs
Flag: Broad, royal-blue horizontal stripes, divided by black central stripe bordered by narrow white stripes
National anthem: Fatshe leno la rona, which translates to 'Blessed be this noble land'
Public holidays: 1 January (New Year's Day), 2 January, Good Friday, Easter Monday, 1 May (Labour Day), 24 May (Ascension Day), 1 July (Sir Seretse Khama Day), 16 July (President Day), 17 July, 30 September (Botswana Day), 1 October, 25 December (Christmas Day)