Country Profile
SIZE
Botswana is a landlocked country with a total area
of approximately 581 730km2.
Two thirds of Botswana consists of gently undulating, sandy plains
covered with bush and grass. It shares its borders with South Africa,
Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
CLIMATE
Situated close to the sub-tropical high-pressure belt
of the southern hemisphere, summer is from November to March with
hot temperatures averaging between 300C -400 (860F to 1040F) and
the lows around 180C (650F). Winter is from June to August with
daytime temperatures as high as 230C (75F) and night-time lows averaging
50C (410F). December is mid-summer in Botswana as well as the beginning
of the rainy season, which continues into January and February.
It is advised that you pack light cotton clothing and a sweater
as well as a hat to protect you from sun overexposure. Gaborone
is a malaria free area, but you will need to bring along mosquito
repellent.
POPULATION
The estimated population size according to the 2001
Census is 1.7 million people. The majority of the people are those
from the Setswana-speaking ethnic groups, with the Bakalanga in
the northeast, the Bakgalagadi in the central region, Bayei, Bambukushu,
Basubiya, and Ovaherero in the northwest and the San, centered in
the Kgalagadi region. There is also a growing population community
of Asian immigrants and expatriates from throughout Africa and Europe.
LANGUAGES:
Setswana is the national language, but English is
the official business language and is widely spoken throughout the
country.
GOVERNMENT
Botswana is a multi-party democracy. Under the Botswana
Constitution, legislative power is vested in the Parliament, which
is comprised of the President as ex-officio member and a unicameral
National Assembly. The Assembly consists of the Speaker, the Attorney
General (non-voting), 40 elected members and four members specially
elected by the Assembly. Elections are held every five years. A
15-member House of Chiefs advises on tribal matters.
The Botswana Democratic Party has governed Botswana
since independence in 1966. Sir Seretse Khama was the first president
of the Republic of Botswana followed by Sir Ketumile Masire who
retired in March 1998 paved the way for his incumbent, President
Festus Mogae.
ECONOMIC
The economy is based on diamond-mining, tourism, financial
services, industries, cattle-ranching and manufacturing.
CURRENCY
The local currency is Pula (1 Pula=100 Thebe). Current
exchange rates are approximately P5 to the US$ and P8.00 to the
Pound Sterling.
COMMERCIAL BANKS
There are five main commercial banks in Botswana (Barclays
Bank Botswana, Standard Chartered Bank, First National Bank, Stanbic
Bank and The Bank of Baroda)) as well as numerous foreign currency
bureaus. Banking hours vary but in general they are Monday to Friday
(except Wednesday), 0900hrs-1530hrs, Wednesday 0830hrs to 1200hrs
and Saturday from 0830 to 1100hrs.
CURRENCY CONTROL
There is no restriction on foreign currency notes
brought into the country as long as they are declared. Travelers
can carry up to P10 000, or the equivalent in foreign currency;
out of the country without declaring it.
VISAS AND PASSPORTS
All visitors must have a passport valid for at least
six months. Nationals of some Commonwealth countries require visas
to enter Botswana. Citizens of European Community countries, Scandinavia,
USA, and South Africa do not require visas.
DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCE
The following goods, declared on arrival, are duty
free: Two liters wine; one litre spirits, or other alcoholic beverages;
400 cigarettes; 50 cigars; 250gm cigarette and pipe tobacco; 50ml
perfumes; 250ml eau de toilette. All goods acquired outside Botswana
must be declared when you enter the country. Goods acquired in countries
of the Southern African Customs Union - Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia,
South Africa, and Swaziland - are free from customs duties, but
may be subject to sales tax.
TIME DIFFERENCE
GMT + 2 hours
GABORONE
Located within the Southeastern corner of the country
on the Notwane River, Gaborone derives its name from Kgosi (chief)
Gaborone of the BaTlokwa Tribe. Gaborone was declared the capital
of Botswana upon independence in 1966. The capital serves as Botswana's
main government, commercial and financial hub. It has good communications
with South Africa through Sir Seretse Khama Airport or by road.
Gaborone also provides access by air or road to the main tourist
attractions-the Okavango, Chobe, Kasane, the Kalahari, the Makgadikgadi
Saltpans and the Thuli Block.
There are four shopping malls, namely, Riverwalk, Game City, Molapo
Crossing, and the Westgate Mall.
GABORONE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER
The Gaborone International Convention Center, which
opened in December 2002, is situated adjacent to the Grand Palm
Hotel Casino Resort in Gaborone, Botswana. This is a state-of-art,
multi-faceted convention facility suited to the needs of both international
and local meetings, conferences, and exhibitions.
The Main Hall covers 1, 550m2 in area and can be used
as a single entity housing 1, 040 people in a banquet set-up, 1
807 in cinema style and 1, 550 for a cocktail reception. The Main
Hall has been host to conferences, music concerts, and major sporting
events.
There are four Breakaway Rooms, situated in close
proximity to the Main Hall, which can be used separately or in combination.
As individual rooms they house 20 people in banquet style, 38 in
cinema style, and 18 in boardroom style.
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