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Quick Facts – Botswana

  • Full name: The Republic of Botswana
  • Population: 1.9 million (UN, 2007)
  • Capital: Gaborone
  • Government: Parliamentary Republic
  • Seasons: Wet – November to March; dry – May to August
  • Area: 581,730 sq km (224,607 sq miles)
  • Major languages: English (official), Setswana
  • Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs
  • Monetary unit: 1 Pula = 100 thebe
  • Main exports: Diamonds, copper, nickel, beef
  • GNI per capita: US $5,840 (World Bank, 2007)
  • Internet domain: bw
  • International dialling code: +267
  • Drive: On the Left
  • Electric Power: 230V running at 50Hz
  • FAQ

    Passports & Visas: All visitors to Botswana require a valid passport. Visas are not required by nationals of most Commonwealth countries, European Union countries (except Spain and Portugal), Israel, Pakistan, Western Samoa, San Marino, Uruguay, Norway, Namibia, South Africa, Switzerland and the US. Usually you receive a thirty day entry permit with extensions available for up to three months.

    Visas are available at your port of entry, This costs approx US$85, and an application must be accompanied by two passport sized photographs.

    Changing Money: There is no appreciable premium on the black market, and very few black market facilities exists. Full banking and bureau de change facilites are available in all major towns, and money can almost always be changed at you hotel or hospitality establsihment.

    Religion: Christianity is widespread with Hinduism and Islam confined to a minority Indian population, and traditional animist beliefs widespread and and mingling often with tenets of Christianity.

    Politics: Botswana is one of the few political success stories in Africa. It enjoys stable government and the longest unbroken sequence of democratic leadership change. Corruption is almost unknown and the rule of law general. The political system is a presidential representative democratic republic. The president is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is vested in the government and legislative power in the government and a unicameral parliament. The judiciary is independent of both.

    Ex-colonial Power: Botswana existed as a British Protectorate from 1885 until independence in 1964.

    Sport: Botswana is not a great international achiever in the field of sports. Soccer is the most popular local sport, but rugby and cricket are also played.

    Food: There is no discernable nation cuisine of Botswana, with the day to day diet in the home extremely bland. Tourist establishments cater for visitors with a meat and BBQ culture, and with the usual repertoire of international cuisine.

    Holidays & Festivals:

  • 1st January New Years Day
  • Good Friday & Easter Monday
  • 15 July President’s Day
  • 30th September Botswana (Independence) Day
  • December 25th Christmas Day
  • National Psyche: The local people of Botswana have a reputation for being a little unfriendly. Don’t expect the effusive welcome common in most African countries, and don’t be disappointed by a noticeable lack of colour and vitality in the national culture.

    Demographics: Tswana is the main language group of Botswana, but Kalanga (Karanga) are also represented, as are a small but healthy population of San Bushmen. The white population is small but influential, and tending to be focused in the main urban centres or in tourist areas. A small Indian population is focused in the urban centres and usually associated with commerce and trade.

    Botswana Missions Abroad

    Belgium: Botswana Embassy to European Communities 169, Avenue de Tervuren B 1150 Brüssels. Tel: + (32 2)735 20 70 Fax: (32-2) 735 63 18

    China: Embassy of Botswana 1-8-1/2 Ta Yuang Office Building, Beijing. Tel: 0086 143 2571

    Hong Kong: Botswana Investmen t4/F Dina House, Ruttonjee Centre, 11 Duddell street Central Hong Kong Tel: 00882 53 485

    Namibia: Botswana High Commission P.O. Box 20359, Windhoek Tel: +(264) 221 942 Fax: +(264) 613 6034

    Sweden: Botswana Embassy Drottnigatan 56, P.O. Box 420, 0128 Stockholm Tel: +4687230035 Fax: +(46) 87 230 087

    United Kingdom: Botswana High Commission. Stratford Place, London W1N 9AE Tel: +44 207 499 0031 Fax: +(44) 207 495 8595

    USA – New York: Botswana Permanent Mission to the United Nations 103 East 37th Street, New York, NY 10016

    USA – Washington: Botswana Embassy Suite 7M, 3400 International Drive, N.W. Washington DC 20008 Tel: +(1) 244 4990 Fax: +(1) 244 4164

    Zambia: Botswana High Commission P.O. Box 31510, Lusaka Tel: +(260) 1 250019/250555 Fax: +(260) 1 253895

    Zimbabwe: Botswana High Commission 22 Philip Avenue, P.O. 563, Harare Tel +2634729551 Fax: +(263) 470 0459