 |
 Login |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Government Type |
parliamentary republic |
| Legal System |
based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Currency |
pula (BWP) |
| Economic Overview |
Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest growth rates since independence in 1966. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $9,500 in 2002. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for nine-tenths of export earnings. Tourism, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially is 21%, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains. Long-term prospects are overshadowed by the prospects of a leveling off in diamond mining production. |
| Natural Resources |
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver |
| Primary Industries |
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles |
| Agricultural Products |
livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts |
| Import Commodities |
foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products |
| Export Commodities |
diamonds 90%, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles |
| Export Partners |
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 87%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 7%, Zimbabwe 4% (2000) |
| AIRPORTS of Botswana |
| Gaborone-Seretse Khama Airport |
Gaborone 15km (9miles), Position 24°33´22"S, 025°55´05"E |
Detals |
| Kasane Airport |
International, Kasane 4km (2miles), Position 17°49´47"S, 025°09´47"E, Elevation 1,003m (3,290ft), 2 Aircraft Stand |
Detals |
| Maun Airport |
Maun |
Detals |
|
|
|
