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- Geography and population:
Botswana is roughly the size of France. It is entirely
landlocked, bordering to South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and
Zimbabwe. Botswana is 84% covered by the Kalahari Desert. The total population is 1,8
million of which 80% is settled in the east and southeast part
of the country. There are a number of different tribal
groups, the oldest ethic group being San (Bushmen). Gaborone, in
the southeast, is the capital city. It has a population of 250
000. Other main towns are Francistown, Lobatse, Maun and Kasane.
- Climate: Summer is from
November to March. High temperatures average 35C to 40C with
lows around 18C and rain particularly in December and January.
Winter is from June to August. Daytime temperatures around 23C
with night time lows averaging 5C.
- Language: The official
language is English. Setswana is the national language and is
widely spoken.
- Currency: The Pula (BWP)
divided into 100 Thebes. Pula also means rain!
- Economy: Diamonds are the
major component of the economy and agricultural production,
primarily of beef, is the country's largest employer. The
national herd consists of almost 3 million cattle. Tourism is
the fastest growing sector of the economy.
- Legal system: The legal
system is based on Roman-Dutch and customary law. It is
administered through a number of regional magistrates' courts
operating under the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Customary courts deal with minor issues in rural communities.
The judiciary is viewed as being fully independent from the
State and the country's ultimate penalty is that by death of
hanging.
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