Official name: Republic of Botswana

Regular name: Botswana

The Republic of Botswana is located on the north side of South Africa.

Economic

• GDP: $11.63 billion (2009 est.)

• GDP per capita: $12,800 (2009 est.) *data are in US dollars.

country comparison to the world: 86

• GINI Index-Distribution of family income: 63 (1993)

country comparison to the world: 4

• Exports: $3.382 billion (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 120

• Inports: $4.24 billion (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 119

Government

Botswana governs under a Parliamentary Republic, having Ejecutive, Legislative and Juridicial branches .The President (who is the chief of state and head of government) is indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term).

The Legislative branch consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body with 8 ex-officio members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3 members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (63 seats; 57 members directly elected by popular vote.

The current President is Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008), the actual Vice President is Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008),and the actual cabinet (which is appointed by the President).

Culture

• Population: 1,990,876

country comparison to the world: 146 (July 2010 est.)

• Ethnicities: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%

• Literacy rate:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write.

total population: 81.2%

male: 80.4%

female: 81.8% (2003 est.)

• Religion: Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census)

International Relations

Botswana was a non-permanent member of the Security Council during the years 1995-1996.

It is under the European-Union Law.

These are the international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way:

The Institute of Certified Records Managers-ICRM , International Monetary Fund- IMF, Interpol, United Nations-UN, The United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization-UNESCO, United Nations Industrial Development Organization-UNIDO, The Wolrd Tourism Organization- UNWTO, World Health Organization-WHO.

History

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Its Constitution was created in March 1965; and was effective until September 1966.

Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa.

*Source:

The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, Africa, Botswana.