192-PART GUIDE TO THE WORLD: PART 23: BOTSWANA
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Your support makes all the difference.OFFICIAL NAME
The Republic Of Botswana.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
English, although Setswana (a Bantu dialect) is common.
POPULATION
About 1,500,000.
SIZE
231,804 square miles, or 20 times the size of Belgium.
BEST MONUMENT
The three peaks of the Tsodilo Hills which the Bantus call Male, Female and Child. Located north of the Okavango Delta, they contain 3,500 rock paintings.
NATIONAL DISH
Mabele (millet or sorghum porridge) is the basis of most meals. Other delicacies are Marula fruit, Tsama melons, wild cucumbers and ants' eggs.
CLIMATE
Botswana is not all hot. In winter, clear warm days are followed by cool nights. The summer rainy season lasts from November to March.
MOST FAMOUS CITIZEN
Seretse Khama became the country's first president in 1966 and ruled the country until his death in 1980.
BEST MOMENT IN HISTORY
The Republic of Botswana won its independence from Britain in September 1966.
WORST MOMENT IN HISTORY
In 1818, Zulu chief Shaka forcibly amalgamated all the tribes that lay in the path of his invading armies. After this the way was clear for European colonisation.
ESSENTIAL ACCESSORY
A thick skin, to prevent the bite of the tsetse fly, which can cause Sleeping Sickness.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Poach rhinos. The few left have armed guards who would rather see a dead poacher than a dead rhino.
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