Known as Bechuanaland when under British protection from 1885 to 1961, Botswana is similar in size to France but with a much smaller population. Over 10% of the 2,100,000 population live in the capital city of Gaborone, made famous in the novel "The First Ladies Detective Agency".

Botswana became independent in 1966 and is the oldest democratic state in Africa.

Botswana is a wealthy country by African standards. It contains extensive mineral resources such as the Jwaneng Diamond Mine, the richest in the world, which was found when termites pushed specks of diamond to the surface.

Nearly 40% of the land is national parks and wildlife reserve, providing large areas for animals to roam.

Botswana is a haven for endangered species of mammal and bird such as cheetah, brown hyena, Kori bustard, and Pel’s fishing owl.

The Okavango Delta is known as the jewel in the Kalahari, a semi-arid sandy expanse which covers 85% of the country. Fed by annual floodwater from Okavango river, the vast delta supports a wide array of African wildlife from hippos to elephants.Huge herds of zebra and wildebeest make an annual migration to find food and water.

The national dish is Seswaa, a stew of boiled meat, maize meal and greens.

First President Sir Seretse Khama is credited with increasing prosperity and is known as the George Washington of Africa with his efforts to bring racial harmony.