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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.bw

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

6,374 (2008)

Internet users [time series]

80,000 (2007)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: the system is expanding with the growth of mobile-cellular service and participation in regional development; system is fully digital with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east; fixed-line connections declined in recent years and now stand at roughly 8 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density currently is about 80 per 100 persons domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations; mobile-cellular service is growing fast international: country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

136,900 (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1.427 million (2007)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

2 (1 state-owned, 1 private)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts

Budget [time series]

revenues: $4.741 billion expenditures: $3.816 billion (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

14.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

16.22% (31 December 2007)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

pula (BWP)

Current account balance [time series]

$1.973 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$408 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

63 (1993)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966, though growth slowed to 4.7% annually in 2006-07. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of nearly $15,000 in 2007. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for 70-80% of export earnings. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially was 23.8% in 2004, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the second highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond mining production overshadows long-term prospects.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

2.574 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

1.959 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

979 million kWh (2006 est.)

Exchange rates [time series]

pulas (BWP) per US dollar - 6.2035 (2007), 5.8447 (2006), 5.1104 (2005), 4.6929 (2004), 4.9499 (2003)

Exports [time series]

$5.025 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles

Exports - partners [time series]

European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 87%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 7%, Zimbabwe 4% (2006)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$12.31 billion (2007 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$26.04 billion (2007 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 1.6% industry: 51.5% (including 36% mining) services: 46.9% (2006 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$14,300 (2007 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4.8% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$3.403 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products

Imports - partners [time series]

Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 74%, EFTA 17%, Zimbabwe 4% (2006)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4.2% (2007 est.)

Industries [time series]

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

7.1% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

19.2% of GDP (2007 est.)

Labor force [time series]

288,400 formal sector employees (2004)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$3.947 billion (2006)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

11,640 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports [time series]

14,500 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

Public debt [time series]

5.4% of GDP (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$9.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$1.026 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$4.336 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.5% (2007 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 600,370 sq km land: 585,370 sq km water: 15,000 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Texas

Climate [time series]

semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.19 cu km/yr (41%/18%/41%) per capita: 107 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

22 00 S, 24 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country

Irrigated land [time series]

10 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 4,013 km border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 0.65% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.34% (2005)

Location [time series]

Southern Africa, north of South Africa

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest

Total renewable water resources [time series]

14.7 cu km (2001)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast, Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern

Capital [time series]

name: Gaborone geographic coordinates: 24 45 S, 25 55 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

March 1965, effective 30 September 1966

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana local long form: Republic of Botswana local short form: Botswana former: Bechuanaland

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen J. NOLAN embassy: Embassy Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 395-3982 FAX: [267] 395-6947

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held in October 2009); vice president appointed by the president election results: Festus G. MOGAE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 52%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center

Government type [time series]

parliamentary republic

Independence [time series]

30 September 1966 (from UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district)

Legal system [time series]

based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body with 8 permanent members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3 members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (63 seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 are appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney-General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly elections last held 30 October 2004 (next to be held in October 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 51.7%, BNF 26.1%, BCP 16.6%, other 5%; seats by party - BDP 44, BNF 12, BCP 1

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Otlaadisa KOOSALETSE]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Festus G. MOGAE]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS; New Democratic Front or NDF note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites) other: diamond mining companies

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. 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 known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 487,853 females age 16-49: 464,278 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 290,093 females age 16-49: 257,700 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 23,007 female: 22,551 (2008 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Botswana Defense Force: Ground Forces, Air Wing (2008)

Military expenditures [time series]

3.3% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; the official qualifications for determining minimum age are unknown (2001)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 35.2% (male 329,418/female 318,160) 15-64 years: 60.9% (male 566,239/female 556,286) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 29,165/female 43,055) (2008 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

22.96 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate [time series]

14.02 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

8.7% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

37.3% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

33,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

350,000 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 44.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 44.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages [time series]

Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 50.16 years male: 51.28 years female: 49.02 years (2008 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.2% male: 80.4% female: 81.8% (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2008)

Median age [time series]

total: 21.2 years male: 21 years female: 21.4 years (2008 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

Net migration rate [time series]

5.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2008 est.)

Population [time series]

1,842,323 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.434% (2008 est.)

Religions [time series]

Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.66 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Botswana still struggles to seal its border from thousands of Zimbabweans who flee economic collapse and political persecution; Namibia has long supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River at Kazungula crossing, thereby de facto recognizing the short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary

Transportation

Airports [time series]

85 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 74 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 54 under 914 m: 17 (2007)

Railways [time series]

total: 888 km narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2006)

Roadways [time series]

total: 25,798 km paved: 8,410 km unpaved: 17,388 km (2005)