$Unique_ID{COW00479}
$Pretitle{404}
$Title{Botswana
Basic Information on Botswana}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Government of Botswana}
$Affiliation{Government of Botswana}
$Subject{botswana
table
pula
millions
population
national

}
$Date{1988}
$Log{Table 1.*0047901.tab
Table 2.*0047902.tab
Table 3.*0047903.tab
Table 4.*0047904.tab
Table 5.*0047905.tab
Table 6.*0047906.tab
Table 7.*0047907.tab
Table 8.*0047908.tab
Table 9.*0047909.tab
Table 10.*0047910.tab
Table 11.*0047911.tab
Table 12.*0047912.tab
}
Country:     Botswana
Book:        Constitution of Botswana
Author:      Government of Botswana
Affiliation: Government of Botswana
Date:        1988

Basic Information on Botswana

Geography

     Botswana is located at the centre of the Southern African plateau. It
lies between 17 degrees and 27 degrees S. Latitude and 20 degrees and 30
degrees E. Longitude at an average altitude of 1000 metres (3,280 feet) above
sea level. The area of Botswana is 582,000 sq km (224,724 sq mi), which is
about the size of France or Texas.

     Botswana is bordered by South Africa on the south and southeast, Zimbabwe
on the northeast and Namibia on the west and north (Caprivi Strip). Angola and
Zambia lie north of the Caprivi Strip.

History

     There is evidence of human occupation in Botswana that dates back some
35,000 years. These were hunter gatherer people of Khoisan stock. Today their
descendants are still to be found among the Khoi (Hottentots) and the San
(Bushmen). Their occupation of Botswana was unchallenged until the 17th and
18th centuries when the Tswana people migrated westward and gradually
displaced or absorbed them.

     In the early 19th century tribal conflicts were rife in Southern Africa,
including Botswana, and it was not until the latter part of the century that
peace and stability returned, continuing to this day.

     In 1885 Botswana became a British Protectorate known as Bechuanaland. It
continued as a British Protectorate until 1966, when it became the independent
Republic of Botswana.

Population

     In 1988 Botswana had a projected population of 1,211,816, of which
281,672 (23%) were in urban areas and 930,144 (77%) in rural areas. Urban area
populations were:

[See Table 1.: Population of Major Urban Areas]

     More than 80% of the people live in the eastern part of Botswana, which
has the highest rainfall and the main railway line from South Africa to
Zimbabwe.

     The population growth is 3.6%, which ensures an ample supply of labour.

     Approximately one-half of the population are from Tswana tribes. The
Kalanga, Kgalagadi, Yei, Herero and Mbukushu tribes combined form about 40% of
the population, with San, Khoi, Caucasians and Asians forming 10%.

Language

     The national language of Botswana is Setswana. The official language is
English.

Political System

     Botswana's constitution provides for a Parliament consisting of a
President and a National Assembly. The National Assembly has a Speaker,
Attorney-General, 34 members elected in general elections and four members
elected by the elected members.

     Botswana is a multi-party democracy. There have been six peaceful
elections since independence, the most recent in 1989. In the sixth election
the Botswana Democratic Party received 31 seats in the National Assembly. The
Botswana National Front received 3 seats, and also control of the Gaborone
municipal council. The Botswana People's Party received one seat.

[See Table 2.: Economic Data Gross Domestic Product at Current Prices
(millions of pula)]

[See Table 3.: Imports (duty inclusive C.I.F. values, in million pula)]

[See Table 4.: Imports]

[See Table 5.: Direction of Trade Imports (duty inclusive, c.i.f value,
millions of pula)]

[See Table 6.: BALANCE OF PAYMENTS (millions of pula)]

[See Table 7.: International Reserces (millions of pula)]

[See Table 8.: Cost of Living]

[See Table 9.: Exports (f.o.b. value, millions of pula)]

[See Table 10.: Exports (f.o.b. value, millions of pula)]

[See Table 11.: Average Retail Prices in Gaborone-December, 1988]

(Source-Central Statistics Office)

[See Table 12.: Botswana is Like This...]