Botswana is located in Southern Africa, north of South Africa
Botswana, population 1.4 million, is one of Africa’s most enduring multi-party democracies. It is also one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most prosperous countries with a per capita income of US $2,790 annually. Nonetheless, the distribution of income is very uneven with large numbers of people living with AIDS and/or in poverty.
The traditional partner of the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ is the Botswana Synod of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, founded in 1816 by missionaries from the London Missionary Society. Until recently, the United Congregational Church was virtually the state church. Other partners in Botswana are the Botswana Council of Churches, the country’s main ecumenical body, and Kgolagano College, an ecumenical, ministerial and lay-training facility.
Pray for: The HIV/AIDS training program of Kgolagano College for church leaders in rural parts of the country.
Population (2014 est) – 2,155,784
Area – 361,500mi
Capital – Gaborone
Ethnic Background
- Tswana (or Setswana) – 79%,
- Kalanga – 11%,
- Basarwa – 3%,
- Other (including Kgalagadi and white) – 7%
Exports – diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles
Imports – foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products
Life Expectancy (2014 est) – M 56 F 52
Infant Mortality (2014 est) – 9.38 deaths/1,000 live births
Adult Illiteracy Rate – 14.9%
