Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. The economy, one of the most robust on the continent, is dominated by diamond mining.
Location
Southern Africa, north of South Africa
Area Comparative
Slightly smaller than Texas
Maritime Claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
Semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
Natural Hazards
Periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility
Environment Current Issues
Overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources
Environment International Agreements
Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements
Geography Note
Landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country
