Botswana - Country Details

Basic Information

Capital

Gaborone

Region

Africa / Southern Africa

Population

2,400,880

Area

582,000 km²

Currencies

Botswana pula (P)

Languages

English, Tswana

About country

Botswana is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, known for its vast wilderness areas and diverse wildlife. The country's topography is largely flat, with around 70% of its territory covered by the Kalahari Desert. Historically, the area was inhabited by Bantu-speaking peoples who migrated southwards before AD 600, eventually forming the Tswana ethnic group. In 1885, it became a British protectorate known as Bechuanaland, gaining independence as the Republic of Botswana in 1966. Botswana has maintained a stable democratic government since independence and boasts a thriving economy largely driven by diamond mining.