Botswana

The Republic of Botswana (Lefatshe la Botswana) is a landlocked nation in Southern Africa. Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent on September 30, 1966. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Namibia to the west, Zambia to the north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. The economy, closely tied to South Africa's, is predominated by cattle raising and mining, especially diamonds. The country is named after its largest ethnic group, the Tswana.

Main population centres (in descending order)

Towns:

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• Gaborone
• Francistown

Villages:

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• Molepolole
• Selebi-Phikwe
• Maun
• Serowe
• Kanye
• Mahalapye
• Mochudi
• Mogoditshane
• Lobatse
• Palapye
• Tlokweng
• Ramotswa
• Thamaga
• Moshupa
• Tonota
• Jwaneng