Recently, India and Botswana formally announced the translocation of eight Cheetahs from the African nation during the State visit of the President of India.
About Botswana
Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa known for its stable democracy, successful economy driven by diamond mining, and diverse geography that includes the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta. The nation's culture is deeply influenced by the Batswana people and the concept of Botho, an emphasis on community and respect.
Facts at a glance
| Statistic |
Value |
| Capital |
Gaborone |
| Population |
2,521,139 (as of 2024) |
| Official Language |
English and Setswana |
| Currency |
Pula (BWP) |
| Area |
581,730 sq km |
| Government |
Parliamentary Republic |
| Gained Independence |
September 30, 1966 |
Geographical features of Botswana
- Location: Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered by Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. It occupies an area of about 581,730 square kilometers.
- Terrain: The country is predominantly flat to gently undulating tableland with few hills. It forms part of the Kalahari Basin with an average altitude of around 1000 meters above sea level.
- Kalahari Desert: Covering about 70% of the country, the Kalahari Desert is a semi-desert or bush savannah rather than a true desert, characterized by sandy terrain and sparse vegetation.
- Okavango Delta: Located in the northwest, it is the world's largest inland delta, rich in biodiversity with a network of water channels, lagoons, swamps, and islands.
- Makgadikgadi Pans: Large salt pans in the north-central part of Botswana, remnants of a prehistoric lake that evaporated, leaving extensive salt flats and seasonal wetlands.
- Natural regions: Botswana has three main geographic regions:
- Hardveld Region - rocky hills and shallow sand cover in the east.
- Sandveld Region - deep Kalahari sands covering most of the rest of the country.
- Ancient lake beds - found in the northern sandveld within the Kalahari Basin.
- Rivers: The main rivers include the Okavango, Chobe, Limpopo, and Molopo. The Okavango River forms the delta but does not flow to the sea (endorheic basin).
- Elevation: The highest point is Monalanong Hill at about 1,495 meters, and the lowest point is at the junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers at 513 meters elevation.
- Climate: Semi-arid with warm winters and hot summers, the country experiences high sunshine all year round and has a dry, windy, and dusty season.
- Vegetation: Ranges from semi-desert bush savannah in the Kalahari area to tree savannah around the Okavango Delta and more densely vegetated areas along rivers.
- Human Settlement: Most of the population is concentrated in the eastern region, where the terrain is less arid and more varied.
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