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Apr 2008: Botswana has been described as the least corrupt country in Africa, that it has sound economic policies and good management of the country's mineral wealth. The World Bank ranks it among the world's most politically stable nations.
Southern Africa, landlocked, north of South Africa, west of Zimbabwe. Almost as big as Texas. Flat with rolling tableland and some desert in the southwest. Semi arid. Warm winters and hot summers.
The Republic of Botswana was a British protectorate called Bechuanaland before becoming independent in 1966. It has a president elected by parliament and four decades of stable government that has been described as progressive.
Figures unless otherwise stated are from the CIA Factbook.
Estimated per capita GDP:
2007 $14,700 (Ranks 74th)
2006 $10,900
2005 $10,700 - the second ranking per capita economy in Africa, after
South Africa.
2004 $9,200
2003 $9,000
GDP annual growth rate estimated for 2007: 4.7 percent. (Ranks 118th)
GDP growth for 2005: 4.5 percent.
Botswana has benefited from political stability, the export of diamonds and tourism.
Exports exceed imports value.
Unemployment is officially at 21 percent. Unofficial estimates are close to 40 percent.
Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP: 3.3 (estimated for 2006).
For 2008, deaths 14.02, births 22.96,
For 2003, deaths 31.00, births 25.5
Botswana's population estimated for July 2008: 1.842 million, up from 1.56 million in 2004. Growth rate estimated for 2008: 1.434 percent per year.
More arriving than leaving, a net gain 5.41 persons per 1,000 population.
Infant mortality estimated for 2008: 44.01, up from 43.97 in 2007 (deaths before the age of one year, per 1,000 live births)
Average life expectancy estimated for 2008: 51.28, up from 33.87 in 2005
Living with HIV/AIDS, ages 15 to 49: 37.3 percent (2003) - second in the world in prevalence.
Botswana suffers from overgrazing, desertification and limited fresh water resources.
Botswana in 2002 had about 60,000 internet users - 3.8 percent of its 2004 population.
Botswana has attempted to resettle about 600 people outside their old homes in the Central Kahlahi Game Reserve, the settlements called by the Bushmen "places of death." In the game reserve the government has destroyed Bushmen water holes and banned them from hunting. A third of the Bushmen have returned and are surviving, and they have taken the government to court regarding their right to return. Their court case resumes on January 17.
SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
Copyright © 2008 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.