Land area

581,730 sq km

Population

1.95m (2009; IMF)

Main towns

Population (2008 estimates)

Gaborone (capital): 225,000

Francistown: 94,600

Molepolole: 70,000

Selebi-Phikwe: 56,000

Climate

Subtropical

Weather in Gaborone (altitude 1,000 metres)

Hottest month, January, 19-33°C; coldest month, June, 5-23°C (average daily minimum and maximum); driest months, July-August, 1 mm average rainfall; wettest months, January-February, 105 mm average rainfall

Languages

Setswana and English

Measures

Metric system

Currency

Pula (P) = 100 thebe

Time

2 hours ahead of GMT

Public holidays

January 1st (New Year), Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1st (Labour Day), July 1st (Sir Seretse Khama Day), July 15th-16th (President's Day), September 30th (Botswana Day), December 25th (Christmas Day), December 26th (Boxing Day)