Facts

Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa

Area (only Total) total: 600,370 sq km

Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Terrain: predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest

Population: 1,842,323

Main Language (only first): Setswana

Government type: parliamentary republic

Capital (Name): Gaborone

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+2

Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

March 21 Good Friday

March 23 Easter

March 24 Easter Monday

May 1 Labour Day

May 17 Ascension

July 1 Sir Seretse Khama Day

July 16 President's Day Holiday*

September 30 Botswana Day

December 25 Christmas Day

December 26 Boxing Day

Weekend Sunday