|
 Botswana Country Profile
|
|
|
 Botswana at a Glance| Location: | Southern Africa, north of South Africa | | Climate: | semiarid; warm winters and hot summers | | Terrain: | predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest | | Resources: | diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver | | Hazards: | periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility | | Population: | 1,990,876 |
A Brief Profile of BotswanaFormerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. 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 known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.
|
|
|
