Data Sheet: Botswana

General Data

Title: Republic of Botswana

Independence: 30 September 1966
Formally the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland.

National holiday: Botswana Day 30 September

Leaders since independence:
1998-       Festus Gontebanye Mogae
1980-98    Quett Ketumile Joni Masire
1966-80    Sir Seretse Khama

Government Data:

Executive: President elected by National Assembly. President then selects his cabinet from the National Assembly. Term of office is five years, next election is due 2004.

Legislative: Bicameral parliament consisting of National Assembly (44 seats) elected by the people and the House of Chiefs (15 members) representing principal tribes.

Judicial: High Court, Court of Appeal, and Magistrates Courts (one in each of ten districts)

Suffrage: Age 18 (universal adult suffrage)

Population Data

Official languages: English and Setswana

Religions: Indigenous 85%, Christianisty 15%

Population: Tswana 79%; Kalanga 11%; Basarwa (San) 3%; Kgalagadi, Herero, Bayeyi, Himbuskush, and Khoi 6%; White 1%

Nationalisty: Batswana (plural), Motswana (singular)

Geographical Data

Capital: Gaborone

Area: 581,730 km² (224,600 square miles)

Borders with: Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Economic Data

Main Exports: Diamonds, copper, nickel, beef

Currency: 1 Pula + 100 thebe