|RNature and climate:|N Botswana is situated on a highlandplateau 1000 m.a.s.l. In the southern part the Kalahari-desert. In the northern part the rivers Cubango and Cuando with swamplands and farming areas, and in the eastern parts rolling plains where livestock are grazed.
|RPeople:|N Most of the population Tswana, a Bantu-people, in many different tribes.
|REconomy:|N Agriculture and stockfarming occupies 70% of the population. Meat is exported, most of it to South Africa and the EC-nations, but at droughtperiods Botswana have to import provisions.
Mining has been developed in the last decades with increased importance for economy. Diamonds are extracted at several places, as is copper, nickel, gold and coal.
Domestic manufacturing is small.
Botswana has a customs union with South Africa.
|RHistory:|N Botswana was first inhabited by bushmen and later Bantus.
A British colony from 1885 under the name Bechuanaland.
Became fully independent in 1966 under the name Botswana.
The nation is because of its location very dependent of South Africa.
Since independence Botswana have had a calm political development. It has tried to help forth peaceful solutions for several of the neighbouring nations, but has also given some support to some black liberationmovements.
