Attribute | Value |
---|---|
Geography | |
Area | 581,730 km² |
Continent | Africa |
Land area | 566,730 km² |
Water area | 15,000 km² |
Land boundaries | 4347.15 km |
Border countries |
|
Coastline | 0 km |
Mean elevation | 1,013 m |
Lowest point | 513 m |
Highest point | 1,489 m |
People | |
Population | 2,317,233 |
Official languages |
|
Religion | Christian |
Government | |
Long country name | Republic of Botswana |
Short country name | Botswana |
Long local name | Republic of Botswana |
Short local name | Botswana |
Former name |
|
Government type | Parliamentary republic |
Capital | Gaborone |
Economy | |
GDP (PPP) | 39,010,000,000 USD |
GDP (OER) | 17,380,000,000 USD |
GDP (real growth rate) | 2.4 % |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | 17,000 USD |
Gross national saving | 40.3 % of GDP |
Labor force | 1,177,000 |
Unemployment rate | 20 % |
Population below poverty line | 19.3 % |
Budget revenues | 5,305,000,000 USD |
Budget expenditures | 5,478,000,000 USD |
Military expenditures | 2.78 % of GDP |
Taxes and other revenues | 30.5 % of GDP |
Budget surplus or deficit | -1 % of GDP |
Public debt | 14 % of GDP |
Inflation rate | 3.3 % |
Central bank discount rate | 5.5 % |
Commercial bank prime lending rate | 6.88 % |
Stock of narrow money | 1,645,000,000 USD |
Stock of broad money | 1,645,000,000 USD |
Stock of domestic credit | 3,002,000,000 USD |
Market value of publicly traded shares | 4,588,000,000 USD |
Current account balance | 2,146,000,000 USD |
Exports | 5,934,000,000 USD |
Imports | 5,005,000,000 USD |
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | 7,491,000,000 USD |
External debt | 2,187,000,000 USD |
National currency | pulas |
National currency (code) | BWP |
National currency (symbol) | P |
National currency rate to USD | 10.19 |
Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name at independence in 1966. More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won every election since independence; President Mokgweetsi Eric MASISI assumed the presidency in April 2018 following the retirement of former President Ian KHAMA due to constitutional term limits. MASISI is Botswana’s fifth president since independence. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.