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Location: Southern Africa 
Capital: Gaborone
Population (2011): 2,065,398
Surface area:581,730 sq km
Currency: Pula
GDP per capita (2009): US $ 5,959
Background:
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 dynamic 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. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.
Economy – overview:
Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966, though growth fell below 5% in 2007-08, and turned sharply negative in 2009, with industry falling nearly 30%. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $13,100 in 2010. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP, 70-80% of export earnings, and about half of the government's revenues. Botswana's heavy reliance on a single luxury export was a critical factor in the sharp economic contraction of 2009. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. Although unemployment was 7.5% in 2007 according to official reports, unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is second highest in the world and threatens Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond mining production within the next two decades overshadows long-term prospects.
Human Development Index ranking (2010): 98 out of 169
Net Official Development Assistance (ODA) (2009): US $ 290 million
Top Three Donors of gross ODA (2008-2009 average):
United States, Germany, EU institutions
Total External Debt (2010): US $ 2.496 billion
HIPC Position (2011): Not eligible
United Nations Membership date: 17 October 1966
New York Mission:
Address: Permanent Mission of Botswana to the United Nations
154 East 46th Street, New York, N.Y. 10017
Telephone: (212) 889-2277, -2331, -2491, -2772
Telefax: (212) 725-5061
e-mail: botswana@un.int
Correspondence: English
National holiday: 30 September
Sources:
Updated October 2011
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