Botswana

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INFORMATION

Capital: Gabarone Government: Parliamentary Republic Current President: Mokgweetsi Masisi Economy: Botswana has enjoyed one of the fastest growth rates per capita income in the world since independence. Since 1980’s, the country has been the world’s largest producer of gem-quality diamonds.  As such, diamond mining will continue to be the mainstay of Botswana’s economy, with known current reserves sufficient for at least the next 20 years. Population: 2,317,233 (2020) Land Size: 581,730 sq km (224,607 sq miles) Major Ethnic Groups: Tswana (or Setswana): 79% Kalanga: 11% Basarwa: 3% Other, including Kgalagadi and people of European ancestry: 7%

Religions: Christian: 79.1% Badimo(indigenous African religion): 4.1% Other: 1.4% Unspecified: 0.3% None: 15.2% Language(s): Setswana: 77.3% Kalanga: 7.4% Sekgalagadi: 3.4% English (official): 2.8% Other: 9.1% Links: CIA World Fact Book: Botswana U.S. Department of State: Botswana BBC News: Botswana Botswana Embassy in the U.S. Botswana Guardian Botswana Daily News

RECENT NEWS

• Fri - Dec 3, 2021: Botswana Is First Country With Severe HIV Epidemic to Reach Key Milestone in the Elimination of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission - AllAfrica News: Botswana
  [WHO-AFRO] Brazzaville, Geneva, Nairobi -- Botswana has become the first high-burden country to be certified for achieving an important milestone on the path to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Tue - Nov 30, 2021: Government Loses Bid to Overturn Homosexuality Ruling - AllAfrica News: Botswana
  [VOA] Gaborone, Botswana -- Botswana's government has lost a bid to overturn a 2019 court ruling that decriminalized same-sex relations. Human rights groups have welcomed the decision, saying it opens the door to challenge what they say are other discriminatory laws in Botswana.
• Tue - Nov 30, 2021: Covid-19 - South Africa, Botswana Fight Travel Restrictions - AllAfrica News: Botswana
  [East African] South Africa has said it is being punished for being efficient in detecting new Covid-19 variants, while Botswana claims the Omicron variant was brought into their country by diplomats.
• Mon - Nov 29, 2021: Former Botswana President Ian Khama Denies Fleeing the Country - AllAfrica News: Botswana
  [Daily Maverick] Ian Khama has spoken out about his current visit to South Africa, which he said was for meetings and not to flee arrest, as some media outlets reported.
• Fri - Nov 26, 2021: Europe Halts Travel From Southern Africa Over New Coronavirus Variant - AllAfrica News: Botswana
  [DW] The European Union wants member states to halt air travel with South Africa and several surrounding countries over a new coronavirus variant. Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic were all quick to react.