Sub Saharan Africa

Botswana
Last updated: 31 December 2008

Country information

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Map of Botswana

Area: 581,730 sq km
Population: 1.842 million (2007 estimate)
Capital City: Gaborone, population 225,000 (2008 estimate)
People: Predominantly Bantu-speaking African (c. 90% of whom are Tswana), small San communities and white minorities
Languages: English and Setswana
Religion(s): Christianity and indigenous beliefs
Currency: Pula. 11.87 - £1 (Nov 08)
Political parties: Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Botswana National Front (BNF), Botswana Congress Party (BCP)
Head of State: President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama
Foreign Minister: The Hon Phandu Tombola Chaka Skelemani
Membership of international groupings/organisations: United Nations, Commonwealth, Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Botswana is also a member of the implementation committee of NEPAD.