Data at glance of Botswana - average on period

History

In the early 1800s, multiple political entities in what is now Botswana were destabilized or destroyed by a series of conflicts and population movements in southern Africa. By the end of this period, the Tswana ethnic group, who also live across the border in South Africa, had become the most prominent group in the area. In 1852, Tswana forces halted the expansion of white Afrikaner settlers who were seeking to expand their territory northwards into what is now Botswana. In 1885, Great Britain claimed territory that roughly corresponds with modern day Botswana as a protectorate called Bechuanaland. Upon independence in 1966, the British protectorate of Bechuanaland adopted the new name of Botswana, which means "land of the Tswana." More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created an enduring democracy and upper-middle-income economy. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won every national election since independence; President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe MASISI assumed the presidency in 2018 after the retirement of former President Ian KHAMA due to constitutional term limits. MASISI won his first election as president in 2019, and he is Botswana’s fifth president since independence. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

Environment

Area: 581,730 sq km km2

Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver

Ethnic characteristics

Groups: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and people of European ancestry 7%

Languages:

Religions: Christian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, other 1.4% (includes Baha'i, Hindu, Muslim, Rastafarian), none 15.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)

Government

Capital: Gaborone

Government type: parliamentary republic

Executive branch

Chief of state: President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024)

Head of government: President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024)

Legislative branch

Description: Parliament - unicameral

Industries

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; beef processing; textiles

GDP by sector: Agriculture: 1.7% (2024 est.), Industry: 29.4% (2024 est.), Services: 63.5% (2024 est.)

Trade

Export partners: UAE 27%, India 17%, Belgium 16%, South Africa 8%, USA 7% (2023)

Export commodities: diamonds, copper ore, insulated wire, carbonates, cattle (2023)

Import partners: South Africa 65%, Namibia 8%, Canada 5%, China 3%, India 3% (2023)

Import commodities: refined petroleum, diamonds, cars, flavored water, electricity (2023)

Geography

Southern Africa, north of South Africa

Defence

Military expenditure: 2024: 3% of GDP (2024 est.)