BOTSWANA
General Information
Official Name:
Republic of Botswana (formerly Bechuanaland)
Capital:
Gaborone - population: 213,017
Head of State:
President Festus Mogae
National Currencies and current exchange rates:
Pula (P) = 100 thebe; Average exchange rate in 1999: P4.62:US$1. Exchange rate on 07/03/02– P0.1511:US$1.
National Day and other important days:
January 1st (New Year's Day), January 2nd, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1st (Labour Day), Ascension Day, July 1st (Sir Seretse Khama Day), July 15th (President's Day), July 16th, September 30th (Independence Day, 1966), December 25th, December 26th.
System Of Government:
Parliamentary republic
Ethnic groups:
Batswana 95%, Kalanga, Basarwa, & Kgalagadi 4%, white 1%.
Languages:
English and Setswana (official), Afrikaans
Religions:
Indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 50%
