Core Facts / Infobox

Present this as a clean two-column table containing accurate and verified national facts. Include only fields with real data.

Official Name	Republic of Botswana
Common Name	Botswana
Political Status	Sovereign parliamentary republic
ISO Codes	BW, BWA, 072
Internet TLD	.bw
Calling Code	+267
Capital City	Gaborone
Largest City	Gaborone
Coordinates	22.33° S, 24.68° E
Time Zone	UTC+2 (Central Africa Time)
Population (2025 est.)	~2.6 million
Area	581,730 km²
Population Density	~4.5 per km²
Languages	English (official); Setswana widely spoken
Currency	Botswana Pula (BWP)
Driving Side	Left
GDP (Nominal)	~USD 21 billion
GDP Per Capita	~USD 8,000
HDI	High
Life Expectancy	~69 years
Continent & Subregion	Africa — Southern Africa
National Day	Independence Day (30 September)
National Anthem	Fatshe leno la rona

Geography & Environment

• Landlocked country in Southern Africa.
• Borders South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
• Large portions covered by the Kalahari Desert.
• Okavango Delta is one of the world’s largest inland deltas (UNESCO).
• Climate: semi-arid with hot summers and mild winters.

Demographics

• Population: ~2.6 million.
• One of the least densely populated countries in Africa.
• Major ethnic groups: Tswana (majority), Kalanga, Basarwa.
• Religions: Christianity (majority), traditional beliefs.

History

• Historically inhabited by San and Bantu-speaking peoples.
• Became a British protectorate known as Bechuanaland.
• Gained independence in 1966.
• Known for political stability and good governance.
• One of Africa’s strongest post-independence economic performers.

Government & Politics

• Political system: Parliamentary republic.
• Head of State: President.
• Legislature: unicameral National Assembly.
• Administrative divisions: districts and towns.

Economy

• Upper-middle-income economy.
• World’s leading producer of gem-quality diamonds.
• Main exports: diamonds, beef, copper-nickel.
• Strengths: prudent fiscal management, political stability.
• Weaknesses: dependence on diamonds, water scarcity.

Culture & Society

• Strong emphasis on community consensus (kgotla system).
• Respect for traditional leadership alongside modern institutions.
• Oral traditions and music remain important.

Food & Cuisine

• Staple foods: maize, sorghum, beef.
• Traditional dishes: seswaa, bogobe, morogo.
• Beef plays a central role in national cuisine.

Education & Institutions

• High literacy rate by regional standards.
• Major institution: University of Botswana.

Tourism

• Premier high-end safari destination.
• Top attractions: Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans.
• Strong conservation-focused tourism model.

Practical Information

• Emergency number: 999.
• Plug type: D/G/M; Voltage: 230V.
• Well-maintained road and aviation infrastructure.

Sports, Entertainment & Notable People

• Popular sports: football, athletics.
• Strong international athletics presence.
• Notable figures: Seretse Khama, Letsile Tebogo.

Famous For

• Diamonds.
• Okavango Delta.
• Political stability.
• Wildlife conservation.

Sources

• World Bank
• United Nations (UN Data)
• IMF
• CIA World Factbook
• Statistics Botswana