Location: Southern Africa, between 20° and 30° east, and between 18° and 27° south

Size: 581,370km2

Climate: Subtropical. Summer: 19–33°C; winter: 5–23°C

Time: GMT +2

Electricity: 220 volts

Weights and measures: Metric

International telephone code: + 267

Status: Republic

GDP: $6,600 per capita (2000)

Currency: Pula (BWP)

Population: 1,586,119 (2001 estimate)

Population growth per year: 0.47% (2001 estimate)

Life expectancy at birth: Male 36 years, female 37 years

Infant mortality: 63.2/1,000 live births (2001 estimate)

Economy: Major earners: diamonds, copper, nickel

Capital: Gaborone; population 192,845 (1998)

Other main towns: Francistown, Lobatse, Selebi-Phikwe, Orapa

Language: English (official), Setswana (national), Shona, other local languages

Religion: Christianity; traditional beliefs

Flag: Broad, royal-blue horizontal stripes, divided by black central stripe bordered by narrow white stripes

National anthem: Fatshe leno la rona, which translates to 'Blessed be this noble land'

Public holidays: 1 January (New Year's Day), 2 January, Good Friday, Easter Monday, 1 May (Labour Day), 24 May (Ascension Day), 1 July (Sir Seretse Khama Day), 16 July (President Day), 17 July, 30 September (Botswana Day), 1 October, 25 December (Christmas Day)