Botswana is one of South Africa’s neighboring countries. I’ve never visited this country, but I would love to one. Botswana is also bordered by Zimbabwe, Zambia (at a single point) and Namibia.
Here are 10 Interesting facts about Botswana
1. Botswana gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1966 and was formerly known as Bechuanaland.
2. Gaborone is the capital city of the country and was founded in 1964. Today the city has a population of about 190,000.
3. 70% of the country’s land is covered by the Kalahari desert.
4. The former seat of government for Bechuanaland was Mafikeng (in the North West Province of South Africa).
5. The country has a population of roughly 2 million people.
6. The country’s monetary unit is the Pula. The currency was implemented in 1976 (replacing the South African Rand) and is one of the strongest currencies in Africa.
7. Seretse Khama was the first elected president of the coutry. He was re-elected twice into the position. Mokgweetsi Masisi is the current president of Botswana (since 2018).
8. The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta. Each year approximately 11 cubic kilometers of water irrigate the 15,000 square kilometer area. The delta is formed where the Okavango River empties onto a swamp in an endorheic basin in the Kalahari Desert.
9. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve was established in 1961 and covers an area of 52,800 square kilometers (making it the second largest game reserve in the world).
10. The highest point in the country is in the Tsodilo Hills (1,489 meters).
Well, there you have it, 10 facts you might not have known about Botswana. If I left something important out, feel free to comment below.
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