Page last updated on December 17, 2013

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. More than four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable 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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southern Africa, north of South Africa
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22 00 S, 24 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 581,730 sq km
country comparison to the world: 48
land: 566,730 sq km
water: 15,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4,013 km
border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (landlocked)
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 0.45%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 99.55% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.39 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.24 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.19 cu km/yr (42%/19%/39%)
per capita: 107.3 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
overgrazing; desertification; limited freshwater resources
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English (official) 2.1%, other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,127,825 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 33.2% (male 360,053/female 346,691)
15-24 years: 21.8% (male 229,713/female 233,546)
25-54 years: 36.7% (male 411,019/female 370,395)
55-64 years: 4.3% (male 40,639/female 51,305)
65 years and over: 4% (male 33,868/female 50,596) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 59.1 %
youth dependency ratio: 53.3 %
elderly dependency ratio: 5.8 %
potential support ratio: 17.3 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 22.7 years
male: 22.6 years
female: 22.7 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.35% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.69 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.91 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 23
note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2013 est.)
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 61.7% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 2.07% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
GABORONE (capital) 202,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.79 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
160 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 62
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 145
male: 10.34 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 54.47 years
country comparison to the world: 205
male: 55.98 years
female: 52.92 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.41 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
52.8%
note: percent of women aged 12-49 (2007/08)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.1% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 141
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.34 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24.8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
320,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.2% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 128
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.2% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 65
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 15
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 85.1%
male: 84.6%
female: 85.6% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2006)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 45,036
percentage: 9 %
note: data represents children ages 7-17 (2006 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13.6%
country comparison to the world: 94
male: 13.2%
female: 14% (2000)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Botswana
conventional short form: Botswana
local long form: Republic of Botswana
local short form: Botswana
former: Bechuanaland
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Gaborone
geographic coordinates: 24 38 S, 25 54 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, North East, North West, Selebi-Pikwe*, South East, Southern
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30 September 1966 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1960 (preindependence); latest adopted March 1965, effective 30 September 1966; amended several times, last in 2006 (2006)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model and also customary and common law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Ponatshego KEDIKILWE (since 2 August 2012); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Ponatshego KEDIKILWE (since 2 August 2012)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); vice president appointed by the president
election results: Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 35-member body with 8 ex-officio members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 27 non-permanent members serving five-year terms, of which 22 are indirectly elected with the remaining 5 appointed by the President) and the National Assembly (63 seats; 57 members directly elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms)
elections: National Assembly elections last held on 16 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 53.3%, BNF 21.9%, BCP 19.2%, BAM 2.3%, other 3.3%; seats by party - BDP 45, BNF 6, BCP 4, BAM 1, other 1
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Appeal, High Court (each consists of a chief justice and number of other judges as prescribed by the Parliament)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president and other judges appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; all judges appointed to serve until age 70
subordinate courts: Industrial Court (with circuits scheduled monthly in the capital city and in three districts); Magistrates Courts (one in each district); Customary Court of Appeal; Paramount Chief's Court/Urban Customary Court; Senior Chief's Representative Court; Chief's Representative’s Court; Headman's Court
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Dumelang SALESHANDO]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Daniel KWELAGOBE]; Botswana Movement for Democracy or BMD [Gomolemo MOTSWALEDI]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Duma BOKO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Bernard BALIKANI]; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS [Themba JOINA]; New Democratic Front or NDF [Dick BAYFORD]
note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites)
other: diamond mining companies
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Tebelelo Mazile SERETSE (since 16 February 2011)
chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Michelle D. GAVIN (since 15 June 2011)
embassy: Embassy Drive, Government Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone
mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone
telephone: [267] 395-3982
FAX: [267] 318-0232
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center; the blue symbolizes water in the form of rain, while the black and white bands represent racial harmony
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
zebra
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land)
lyrics/music: Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE
note: adopted 1966
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966. However, economic growth was negative in 2009, with the industrial sector shrinking by 30%, after the global crisis reduced demand for Botswana's diamonds. Although the economy recovered in 2010, GDP growth has again slowed. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $16,800 in 2012. 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, 70-80% of export earnings, and about one-third of the government's revenues. Botswana's heavy reliance on a single luxury export was a critical factor in the sharp economic contraction of 2009. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. According to official government statistics, unemployment reached 17.8% in 2009, but unofficial estimates run much higher. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is second highest in the world and threatens Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond production within the next two decades overshadows long-term prospects. A major international diamond company signed a 10-year deal with Botswana in 2012 to move its rough stone sorting and trading division from London to Gaborone by the end of 2013. The move may support Botswana's downstream diamond industry.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$32.27 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$14.23 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$15,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 53.5%
government consumption: 19.2%
investment in fixed capital: 34.8%
investment in inventories: -0.4%
exports of goods and services: 44.5%
imports of goods and services: -51.6%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 1.9%
industry: 38.6%
services: 59.5% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; livestock processing; textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.288 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30.3% (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
63 (1993)
country comparison to the world: 3
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $5.508 billion
expenditures: $5.393 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
38.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.358 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.111 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.44 billion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 88
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-795.2 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.011 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7.918 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7.628 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.443 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
pulas (BWP) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
429.6 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.118 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.985 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
132,000 kW (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 104
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15,420 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19,360 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 111
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.843 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
160,500 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 134
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.082 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 129
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: Botswana is participating in regional development efforts; expanding fully digital system with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east as well as a system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relays links, and radiotelephone communication stations
domestic: fixed-line teledensity has declined in recent years and now stands at roughly 7 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity now pushing 140 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 TV stations - 1 state-owned and 1 privately owned; privately owned satellite TV subscription service is available; 2 state-owned national radio stations; 3 privately owned radio stations broadcast locally (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.bw
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,806 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 163
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
120,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 154
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
74 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 71
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 64
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 46
under 914 m:
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 888 km
country comparison to the world: 93
narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 17,916 km
country comparison to the world: 117
note: includes 8,916 km of Public Highway Network roads (6,116 km paved and 2,800 km unpaved) and other 9,000 km of District Council roads (2011)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Wing Command, Defense Logistics Command, Special Forces Group (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 557,647
females age 16-49: 531,095 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 340,949
females age 16-49: 302,332 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 23,649
female: 23,063 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.8% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 43