With a strong economy built on diamonds and tourism, Botswana is a beacon of hope on a continent often beset with problems. Botswana Facts highlights key moments in history and attractions of Botswana.

Capital

Gaborone

Languages

English is the official language and Setswana the national language.

Best Time to Visit

May through to September is considered the peak season in Botswana as the Okavango water is at its highest and the wildlife is concentrating around permanent water sources. The rainy season is however becoming more popular as a time to visit the country.

Currency

Botswana Pula

Attractions

Okavango Delta, Chobe River and abundant wildlife including the largest numbers of elephants left on the continent.

Date of Independence

1966. Botswana was a British protectorate leading up to independence and due to the dry nature of the environment it was not heavily colonized. The transition to independence was peaceful.

Botswana was one of the poorest countries in the world at independence, but a few months after this the world's largest diamond deposits were discovered in the desert and through sound economic management the country is one of the most stable countries economically, and politically, in Africa.