Botswana, although still a developing country, has several valuable resources, including, diamonds, gold, and oil. Through this report, this will be discussed as well as other topics regarding Botswana.

Botswana is a presidential democracy. It has two main parties, the Botswana Democratic Party, and the Botswana National Front, as well as the Botswana People's Party and the Botswana Independence Party. The National assembly has thirty-eight members. It elects presidents for a five-year term. The people elect thirty-four members of the National Assembly, and those thirty-four elect four more. Citizens of Botswana must be at least twenty-one years old to vote.

Although 70% of Botswana's population lives in rural areas (1995 estimate), many move to cities yearly. There are two main ethnic groups. The Tswana take up about 66% of the population, the Kalanga take up 13%, and foreigners take up the other 21%. About 100 people still live by means of hunting and gathering, the rest live in settlements or work cattle farms. Although the official language is English, the most commonly spoken language is Seswana. Fifteen percent of the population is Christian; the rest practice the native African tradition. Even though 80% of the population goes to elementary school, only 15% goes to high school (Note: the 'population' here is the part of it eligible for being schooled). The University of Botswana is in Gabrone, the capital city. Unemployment is a major problem in Botswana. Many citizens work in neighboring countries, which, economically, bring much-needed foreign currency, but create separations in families, and other social problems. Poor housing is also a problem in mining towns such as Orapa and Selebi-Pikwe. Botswana's government is trying to correct these problems. Botswana's population is growing, with the 1998 census showing 1,571,728 people. Education is improving along with healthcare. The current estimate of the healthcare position is as follows: 408 doctors, 3,961 nurses, and 1,275 facilities. Although this is promising, AIDS is on the rise in Botswana, so we will have to see which goes up faster, AIDS or healthcare.

Botswana has two protection forces, the Botswana Defense Force, the army and air force (Botswana has no Navy; no ocean borders it), as well as the Botswana National Police. One must be 18 years old to join the military. There are 177,248 people fit to serve, with approximately 18,000 reaching 18 annually. Expenditures for the military are approximately $199 million dollars. Botswana has a territorial dispute over the quadripoint of Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Botswana also has a dispute over Kasikili Island with Namibia.

Botswana's primary sources of income are by mining and agriculture, but they also export textiles and vehicles. Botswana mines copper, diamonds, and nickel. These are its main products in the mining industry, but it also mines oil, coal, cobalt, and soda-ash. Cattle are the main agricultural resource, but corn millet and sorghum are also farmed.

Botswana is on a huge plateau has an average altitude of 3,300 feet above sea level. It is hilly in the east, and flat or gently rolling in the elsewhere. With a subtropic climate, its hottest month is January, and its coldest, June. From June from August, there is very little rainfall, an average of 1 mm. On the other hand, January and February have an average of 105 mm. of rain. Botswana has a land area of 581,730 square kilometers.

Botswana has 18,482 km. of highways. It also has 971 km. of railroad. It has 92 airports, but only 12 have paved runways.

There are 19,109 telephones. However, most of them are poor-quality. There are 72,189 km of telephone lines.

The following is a list of the 1999 holidays for Botswana.

Jan. 1 &endash; New Year

Jan. 2

Apr. 2 &endash; Good Friday

Apr. 5 &endash; Easter Monday

Apr. 11

May 3 &endash; Labor Day

May 13 &endash; Ascension Day

Jul. 1 &endash; Sir Sereste Khama Day

Jul. 20 &endash; President's Day

Jul. 21

Sept. 30 &endash; Botswana Day

Dec. 25 - Christmas

Botswana has several problems, such as unemployment and AIDS, but is striving to fix them. The United States is aiding Botswana, giving it economic help. Schooling and healthcare are getting better. With help, Botswana can have a bright future.

Bibliography

CIA, Botswana. Internet

Economic Intelligence Unit, Botswana Lesotho. London, UK " 1999

World Book Encyclopedia " 1995 Book and CD-ROM