Botswana
Republic of Botswana
parliamentary republicIndependence 30 September 1966 (from UK)
Botswana as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 81 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Southern Africa, north of South Africa
15 fieldsLand useshare of 600,370 sq km
International disputes
- short section of boundary with Namibia is indefinite;
- quadripoint with Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement;
- dispute with Namibia over uninhabited Kasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River remained unresolved in January 1996 and the parties have agreed to refer the matter to the ICJ
Terrain
predominately flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
- lowest point:
- junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
- highest point:
- Tsodilo Hill 1,489 m
Environment
- current issues:
- overgrazing, primarily as a result of the expansion of the cattle population;
- desertification;
- limited natural fresh water resources
- natural hazards:
- periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility
- international agreements:
- party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection;
- signed, but not ratified - Desertification
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1996 est.)
Male · female(1996 est.)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 42% (male 317,254; female 309,617)
- 15-64 years:
- 54% (male 374,572; female 419,991)
- 65 years and over:
- 4% (male 22,314; female 33,882) (July 1996 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.02 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.89 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.66 male(s)/female
- all ages:
- 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Nationality
- noun:
- Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
- adjective:
- Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
Government
Parliamentary republic
22 fieldsLegislature, 40 seatsone dot, one seat
Name of country
- conventional long form:
- Republic of Botswana
- conventional short form:
- Botswana
- former:
- Bechuanaland
Administrative divisions
10 districts and four town councils*; Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*,Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Ngamiland, North-East, Selebi-Phikwe*, South-East, Southern,
Legal system
- based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law;
- judicial review limited to matters of interpretation;
- has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive branch
- chief of state and head of government:
- President Sir Ketumile MASIRE (since 13 July 1980) was elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly;
- election last held 15 October 1994 (next to be held October 1999);
- Vice President Festus MOGAE (since 9 March 1992) was appointed by the president
- cabinet:
- Cabinet was appointed by the president
House of Chiefs
is a largely advisory 15-member body consisting of the chiefs of the eight principal tribes, four elected subchiefs, and three members selected by the other 12
National Assembly
- elections last held 15 October 1994 (next to be held October 1999);
- results - percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (44 total, 40 elected and 4 appointed by the majority party) BDP 27, BNF 13
Political parties and leaders
- Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Sir Ketumile MASIRE;
- Botswana National Front (BNF), Kenneth KOMA;
- Botswana People's Party (BPP), Knight MARIPE;
- Botswana Independence Party (BIP), Motsamai MPHO
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Archibald MOGWE
- chancery:
- Suite 7M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 244-4990, 4991
US diplomatic representation
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Howard F. JETER
- embassy:
- address NA, Gaborone
- mailing address:
- P. O. Box 90, Gaborone
- telephone:
- [267] 353982
Economy
The economy has historically been based on | cattle raising and crops.
20 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 220,000 kW
Economic overview
The economy has historically been based on cattle raising and crops. Agriculture today provides a livelihood for more than 80% of the population but supplies only about 50% of food needs and accounts for only 5% of GDP. Subsistence farming and cattle raising predominate. The sector is plagued by erratic rainfall and poor soils.
The driving force behind the rapid economic growth of the 1970s and 1980s has been the mining industry. This sector, mostly on the strength of diamonds, has gone from generating 25% of GDP in 1980 to 39% in 1994. The unemployment rate remains a problem at 21%. Hampered by a still sluggish diamond market in 1994 and 1995, GDP grew by only 1% in both years.
Labor force
428,000 (1992)
- by occupation:
- 220,000 formal sector employees;
- 14,300 are employed in various mines in South Africa;
- most others are engaged in cattle raising and subsistence agriculture (1992 est.)
Agriculture
sorghum, maize, millet, pulses, groundnuts (peanuts), beans, cowpeas, sunflower seed; livestock
Exports
$1.8 billion (f.o.b. 1994)
- commodities:
- diamonds 78%, copper and nickel 6%, meat 5%
- partners:
- Switzerland, UK, Southern African Customs Union (SACU),
Imports
$1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
- commodities:
- foodstuffs, vehicles and transport equipment, textiles, petroleum products
- partners:
- Switzerland, Southern African Customs Union (SACU), UK, US
Exchange rates
pula (P) per US$1 - 2.8305 (January 1996), 2.7716 (1995), 2.6831 (1994), 2.4190 (1993), 2.1327 (1992), 2.0173 (1991)
Communications
Botswana Defense Force (includes Army and Air Wing), | Botswana National Police
9 fieldsTelephone system
sparse system
- domestic:
- small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations
- international:
- microwave radio relay links to Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Manpower availability
- males age 15-49:
- 334,177
- males fit for military service:
- 175,471
- males reach military age (18) annually:
- 17,088 (1996 est.)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Botswana.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/botswana/1996.