Did you know- Present-day Botswana – former Bechuanaland-was a protectorate under the United Kingdom from 1886 to 1966, when it became an independent nation within the Common wealth. In the subsequent decades, inspired by Great Britain and the United States of America, Botswana became a democratic society, making it Africa’s best democracy. Since the 1970s, it has been home to some of the world’s most peaceful societies. No other place in the Third World has had a democratic system comparable to Botswana.Contrary to most nations in the world, the African nation has not had coups d’ etat, guerrillas, warlords, military dictatorships, and Marxist revolutions. Until 1990, ironically, this democratic nation had been surrounded by foreign dictatorships and war-torn countries.
International Organizations
Did you know- The English-speaking nation became a full member of the United Nations in the 1960s.
Louvre of the Desert
Did you know- The Kalahari desert is home to Tsodilo, one of the unknown wonders on Earth. Due to its abundant cave paintings, Tsodilo is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2001. This national wonder contains more than 4,500 cave paintings, making it the world’s highest concentration of rock art.
Famous Persons
Did you know- Botswana is home to some of Africa’s most famous persons: Sir Seretse Khama (former leader), Gaositwe Chiepe (Minister of Foreign Relations), Mpule Kwelagobe (1999 Miss Universe), Ruth Khama (ex- First Lady), and Kabelo Kgosiemang (athlete).
Economics
Did you know- Since the discovery of diamonds in Botswana more than 40 years ago, it became one of Africa’s most prosperous republics. During the 1970s and 1980s, the former British colony boasted one of the world’s highest economic growth rates, ahead of Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands. In the mid-1990s, it also had a per capita income two times that of most former Socialists nations in Europe and Central Asia.
Geography
Did you know- Botswana is a Southern African nation that borders Zambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. It is the fourth-largest country in Southern Africa. With more than 1.5 million people and a territory of 600370 square kilometres, the democratic republic is one of the world’s most sparsely populated countries, along with Mongolia, Namibia, Australia, and Mauritania.
Democracy
Did you know- Botswana, a landlocked republic well-know for its notable national parks and deserts, has the best democratic system in all of Africa. Since then, no other country has done as much as Botswana to preserve its democracy. Due to this, it is the only country that has not had a civil conflict on the African mainland.
Botswana & the United States
Did you know- America’s leader Bill Clinton paid a state visit to Gaborone in 1998. He and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton came to Botswana on the six day of a 12-day journey through Africa. Like many foreign visitors, they visited the Chobe National Park, a symbol of Botswana. It was the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the African nation in the past century.
Human Development
Did you know- By 1996, the African country was ranked 72nd out of 170 countries and territories in the UN’ s Human Development Index, ahead of the Peoples’ Republic of China and South Africa. In 1995, it finished 74.