Botswana
1st Period - Ben R.
Flag of Botswana
This flag was adopted on September 30, 1966. The colors on it correspond to those on the coat of arms. The blue represents water, white-black-white stripes represent the racial harmony of the people as well as the pluralist nature of the society. They are inspired by the coat of the zebra which is also the national animal.
Botswana Coat of Arms
The coat of arms was adopted on January 25, 1966 and contains a shield supported by two zebras. The zebra on the left is holding a tusk of ivory symbolizing the former ivory trade. The zebra on the right is holding a ear of sorghum which is an important crop to the nation. Within the shield there are three cogwheels representing industry, three waves symbolizing water, and the head of a bull to show the importance of cattle herding. Pula is the national motto which means "Rain".
Currency in Botswana
The currency in Botswana is called Pula. It was introduced in 1976. Pula is the strongest currency in Africa. 10 Pula in Botswana is equal to 1.15 dollars in America.
Geography
Botswana is located in Southern Africa right above the country South Africa. The districts in Botswana are Central, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Souther. The 3 major cities are Francistown, Molepolole, and Serowe. The capital is Gaborone. The country borders Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. It is 581,730 sq km and is slightly less than Texas. The climate is semiarid, warm in the winters, and hot in the summers. The natural resources are diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, and silver. The major rivers are the Limpopo, the Molopo, the Shashe, the Linyate, and the Okavango Rivers. The major landforms are the Kalahari Desert and Okavango Delta. The problems caused by desertification in Botswana are overstocking, large-scale vegetation depletion and changes, especially around water points, and accelerated soil erosion by wind, sheetwash and gullying.
Gaborone
This is an amazing view of the capital city Gaborone at night.
Geography Map
This is a geograpical map of Botswana.
Elephants in Botswana
This is a picture of an elephants family in Botswana.
History
400-Earliest archaological evidence of farming and iron work
Early 1800s-Permanent settlement established by the kwena people
1860s-Tswana peole appeal british protection
1867-Prospectors drawn by gold in the region
1920-An elected european council is formed
Culture
The ethnic groups are Tswana, Kalanga, and Basarwa. The main language is Setswana. The main religion is Christianity. There are 2,155,784 people living in Botswana. The holidays in Botswana are New Years Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension, Sir Seretse Khama Day, Presidents Day, Botswana Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
Culture Pic
A girl in the Okavango delta.
Culture Pic
Dance at a culture day.
Culture Pic
A rondaval at a lodge.
♫ Botswana National Anthem ♫
Government
Botswana is headed by a president. The National Assembly, the country's chief legislative body, elects the president to a five-year term. The people elect most members of the Assembly except for four members who are elected by the Assembly itself from a list of candidates proposed by the president. Assembly elections must be held at least once every 5 years. Citizens who are at least 18 years old are allowed to vote. The president selects a cabinet from the National Assembly. The House of Chiefs, made up of the leaders of the nation's major ethnic groups, advises the government on matters that affect ethnic customs
Economy
Botswana has a stronger economy than most African countries. Since the 1960s there economy has rapidly grown. The leading industry in Botswana is diamond mining. More than a fourth of Botswana's population are farmers. Botswana's chief exports are beef, diamonds and other mineral products, and textiles. Leading imports include chemicals, food, machinery, petroleum, and transportation equipment.
Top Places To Visit
Okavango Delta
Chobe National Park
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Nxai Pan National Park
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Chobe National Park
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Nxai Pan National Park
Central Kalahari Game Reserve