10 Facts about Botswana
I thought I'd answer a few commonly asked questions by making a list of 10 interesting facts about Botswana you may or may not know.
1. Setswana is the language and culture. Batswana is the word used for many citizens of Botswana. One citizen is a motswana.
2. Botswana currently has a population of just over 1.6 million people. The country is about the size of France or Texas.
3. The majority of the people live on the eastern side of the country.
4. Most of the diamonds in the country are mined by Debswana- a company in which DeBeers owns 50% of the shares and the Government of Botswana owns 50% of the shares.
5. Jwaneng Diamond Mine, in the south of the country, is the richest diamond mine in the world.
6. Botswana was never actually been colonised. It was a protectorate of Britain only after three chiefs from Botswana travelled to England to request such an arrangement.
7. 17% of Botswana has been set aside as game reserves and parks more than the internationally recommended 10%.
8. The capital is Gaborone. Pronounced Ha-bo-ro-nee.
9. The kgotla system is entrenched in Setswana culture and is based on a system of democracy and free speech were every person in attendance has the right to speak their mind.
10. The current president is President Ian Khama. He is the son to the first president of Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama. His mother was a white British woman. President Ian Khama is also paramount chief of the largest tribe in the country the Bamangwato.
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