Botswana: Overview

Botswana is located in Southern Africa, north of South Africa. Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves.

Gaborone is the capital and largest city of Botswana with a population of 186,007 .Gaborone is situated between Kgale and Oodi Hills, on the Notwane River in the southeastern corner of Botswana, and 15 kilometers (9 mi) from the South African border. It is the administrative capital of the South-East District. Locals often refer to the city as Gabs.

Francistown is the second largest city in Botswana, with a population of about 113,315 and often described as the "Capital of the North". It is located in eastern Botswana, about 400 kilometers north-northeast from the capital, Gaborone. Francistown is located at the confluence of the Tati and Inchwe rivers, and near the Shashe River (tributary to the Limpopo) and 90 kilometers from the international border with Zimbabwe. Francistown was the center of southern Africa's first gold rush, and is still surrounded by old and abandoned mines.