Botswana is a landlocked country found right in middle of Southern African region, bordered
by South Africa on the south, Namibia on the west, Zambia on the north and Zimbabwe on
the east. There are about 2.2 million people living
in Botswana with its capital city is Gaborone, also its largest city with just about one
eighth of its population. Here are the 7 Facts you probably didn't know,
about this country, Number 1
Botswana is a home of largest salt pans in the world. Makgadikgadi Pan is the world largest
salt pans located in the north-east of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and south-east
of the Okavango Delta. According to UNESCO website, it covers an area of over thirty
thousand square kilometer, this is equal to the entire size of both Jamaica and Israel
combined, and this magnificent salt pan was listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage
Site in 2010.
Number 2 Botswana is the largest producer of diamond
in the world Botswana is the world’s biggest producer
of diamond in terms of quality, and second biggest producer of diamond in terms of volume
after Russia, with estimated twenty point nine million carats in 2016. Diamonds alone
contributes to 25% of the country GDP, Before its independence, Botswana was a poorest and
least developed country in Africa, to understand the state of poverty the country was in, There
were only total twelve kilometers of paved roads, few hospitals built by missionaries
and farming was the only way of sustenance for most locals. 1 year after gaining independence,
a huge diamond mine was discovered in Orapa. Today, Botswana is one of the most prosperous
and steady growing countries in Africa.
Number 3
2 of world largest diamond were discovered in Botswana
Recently, in first of June 2021, Debswana diamond mining company has said to have been
unearthed a 1,098-carat stone that it was said to be the third-largest diamond of its
kind in the world. this add to the record of the second largest diamond discovered in
2015, The 1,111-carat stone, the size of tennis ball was found in Karowe mine, It was the
biggest diamond to be discovered in Botswana and the largest to be found in more than a
century, The third largest diamond is not yet named, biggest diamond ever discovered
in the world was the 3,106-carat diamond named, Cullinan, found in South Africa in 1905.
Number 4 40% of Botswana is reserved to Tourism
Nearly 40% of the area of the entire country is made up of national parks and wildlife
reserves which provide plenty of large areas for animals to roam. These wildlife reserves
include four main national parks and many protected sites and game reserves including
Gaborone game reserve, located in the capital city of the country.
Number 5 Botswana currency is one of strongest in Africa
Botswana introduced its own currency, Botswana Pula, or its international code, BWP, to replace
South African Rand, in August 23, 1976, 10 years after it gain independence. Pula means
(rain) in Tswana language. The currency has been stable from its inception with exchange
rate between 10Pula to 13Pula against US Dollar for most of past decade. It is currently one
of strongest and stable currency ranking 5th in Africa according to Africa Business Insider
Number 6 one of most unique thing about Botswana and
probably most surprising fact of all in this list.
Botswana was never colonized. Due to geographical qualities of the country, Botswana is covered
80% by Kalahari Desert, therefore, it seems like nobody was interested in colonizing Botswana
especially due to the fact it was very sparsely populated. However because countries around
Botswana where all colonized, colonizers used Botswana as a path road, this eventually caused
conflict amongst colony powers, and ended following the Berlin Conference of 1885, when
the British proclaimed a protectorate, Botswana was officially a British Protectorate and
was named Bechuanaland Protectorate. Bechuana Land, being an English pronunciation of Botswana,
hence, Botswanaland, or land of Botswana. The name change back to Botswana, after independence
in 1966.
Number 7
Botswana is ranked 2nd peaceful country, in Africa
Botswana was ranked 2nd most peaceful country in Africa only after Mauritius in 2020 by
Global Peace Index and 33rd in the world.
That is all we had in our featured African country in this today's episode, and Thank
you very much everyone for watching, Which fact surprised you most about this country,
or what would've liked make in this list or which country do you want us to feature in
our next episode, tell us in comment section below, Please consider to Like or comment
and subscribe to our channel, ring that notification bell, so that you don't miss any of our next
videos.