Country profile
Size
Botswana is about the same size as France or Kenya with an area of about 582,000 sq. km.
Location
The Republic of Botswana, formerly Bechuanaland, is located at the center of the Southern African plateau. Botswana is a landlocked country with South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia as its neighbours.
Climate
Most of Botswana has a semi-arid climate. Summers (October to April) are hot, with daytime highs reaching 38 degrees C (100 degrees F). Winters are cooler, and usually dry with wide daily temperature variations and in June, the coldest month, the temperature may go below 0 degrees Celsius with frost.
Rainfall is light and ranges from about 635mm (25 in) in the northeast to less than 250mm (10 in) in the southwest. Over 90% of the rainfall is during the summer months when evaporation loss is the greatest.
Topography
The country is relatively flat with an average elevation of 900m (3,000ft) that rises to low hills in the extreme east. Tsodilo Hill (1,805m/5,922ft), in the northwestern corner of Botswana, is the highest point in the country.
Population Growth
The total population in Botswana, in 2000, was 1,65 mil, whereby, 48.1% were males and 51.9% were females. The projected growth rate is approximately 2.9% per annum. Botswana is one of the world’s most sparsely populated nations. Over 80% of the people live in the eastern regions of the country (Gaborone, Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe and Lobatse) and more than two-thirds live in rural areas. The Okavango region has approximately one person every 4 sq. km (1.5 per sq. mile), while the Kalahari is virtually uninhabited.
Language
The national language is Setswana and it is universally spoken. English is the official language; it is used in business and governmental affairs.
Education System
In keeping with the vision of globalisation, the Government is keen to bring about radical changes in its Human Resources Development programmes. The education system is devised in such a way that (7+3+2) accounts for seven years of primary education, three years of Junior Secondary and two years of Senior Secondary education.
The government provides free primary school and secondary school education since 1980 and 1988 respectively. There are a few private English Medium primary and secondary schools, requiring educational expenses, which are very multi-cultural and multi-racial.
Government System
Since Botswana, formerly a British Protectorate of Bechuanaland, gained independence in 1966, it has established itself as one of the few successful multi-party democracies in Africa. The President is head of the Executive Branch of Government and presides over the Cabinet. The President and the National Assembly, both provide for a Parliament within Botswana's Constitution.
In addition, there is a House of Chiefs that advises the Parliament on matters affecting custom and tradition. Botswana is a member of the Commonwealth, the UN and its associate bodies and the SADC.
There have been eight peaceful elections since independence. In the eighth elections held in 1999, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) won again. The current President of Botswana is Honourable Festus Mogae.
Business Hours
Government:
Monday – Friday: 07h30 – 12h30, 13h45 – 16h30
Private sector:
Monday – Friday: 08h00 – 13h00, 14h00 – 17h00; Saturday: 08h00 – 13h00.
Supermarkets and Shops
Stay open during lunchtime and open for extended hours each day.
Commercial Banks:
Monday – Friday: 09h00 – 15h30. Saturdays: 08h00 – 11h00.
Tourism
There are three National Parks and a few Game Reserves in Botswana offering Safari holidays to tourists: Chobe, Nxai Pan and Gemsbok Game Reserves, Moremi, Makgadikgadi Pans, Kutse and Mabuasehube amongst others. Both National Parks and Game Reserves comprise of 17% of the land in Botswana and a further 22% is proposed as Wildlife Management Areas.
Health
Comprehensive health services are provided by the government and are available throughout the country. Health services are free for children under the age of 11.
Medical aid schemes, established as private health financiers, are also in operation. The Pharmaceutical Society of Botswana represents both government and general practising pharmacists in Botswana. Its aim is to lift the standards of practice in Botswana and also advise the Government on pharmaceutical issues.
