Brief facts

BOTSWANA FLAG

The Republic of Botswana is a multi-party democracy. It became independent on 30 September 1966. It has an executive President as Head of State. The National Assembly elects the President for a term of five years.

GEOGRAPHY
Botswana is roughly the size of France or Texas. Its surface area is 581,730 sq km. It is entirely landlocked, bordered by its neighbours South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

POPULATION
The total population estimated for 2006 is 1.85 million growing at a rate of 3.5% per annum.

TIME
GMT plus 2 hours

CLIMATE
Summer-December to March. High temperatures average 30C to 35C with lows around 18C and rain particularly in December and February. Winter-June to August. Daytime temperatures around 23C with night-time lows averaging 5C.

VISAS
Visitors from the European Union as well as most Commonwealth countries and the USA do not require visas.

CURRENCY
The Pula is divided into 100 thebe. Notes are P100, P50, P20 and P10. Coins are P5,P2,P1 and thebe 50t, 25t, 10t, and 5t