| ABOUT BOTSWANA |
 |
| "Keeper of the Stars" Tracy Byrd |
| ORPHANS OF THE CANCER STORM |
| "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path - and leave a trail." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~ |
 |
 |
 |
| Gorata is travelling from Botswana in Southern Africa to Ganada in North America, for life-saving cancer treatment. Below are some facts and figures about her home country, |
 |
| Botswana is a land-locked country in southern Africa. It shares a border with three countries - Zimbabwe to the east, South Africa to the south and Namibia to the west and north, |
 |
| The blue represents water, the white-black-white bands depict the racial harmony of the people as well as the pluralist nature of the society. They are inspired by the coat of the zebra, the national animal. |
| "The British Protectorate of Bechunaland" adopted it's current name of Botswana upon independence in September 1966. The country is now governed by a stable democratic parliament. Botswana has a total area of 600,370 sq km. Of this, 585,370 sq km is land, and 15,000 sq km water, but barely 10sq km is actually irrigated. The terrain is mainly flat to gently rolling tablelands, with the Kalahari Desert occupying much of the south-west quarter of the country. The country enjoys a sub-tropical climate, with warm winters and hot summers. Drought periodically hits, and seasonal winds blow from the west during August, bringing sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility Less than 1% of the land is used for farming, and Botswana imports the majority of it's food from South Africa. Mineral extraction, particularly diamond mining, and tourism are the main industries, and the country is suffering from desertification as forests are cleared to make way for mining and holiday resorts. Botswana has a populationa of 1,561,973. The population is young, with an average age of 19years. However, the country has a negative growth rate, largely due to the AIDS epidemic. In 2003, 37,3% of the population (350,000 people) were infected with HIV/AIDS. As a result, life expectancy at birth stands at just 30 years. English is the official language, with Setswana being widely spoken throughout the country. Literacy, among people 15yes and over, stands at 79%. However, unemployment runs at an estimated 40% (21% official), and 47% of people live below the poverty line. Christianity is a growing religion, currently practiced by approximately 15% of the population. Traditional beliefs are observed by the remaining 85%. Botswana has a Gross Domestic Procuct of US$14.2billion. At 7.2%, the country's economic growth rate ranks among the world's highest. As a result, two major investment services rank Botswana as posing the lowest credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining is the primary source of foreign exchange (9/10), and currently accounts for 1/3 of GDP. However, the expected leveling off in diamond mining production threatens the country's long-term economic outlook. Tourism is key growth industry, and subsistence farming and cattle raising are also large sectors of the economy. |
| The National Flag of Botswana (adopted 30/09/1966). |
| AT A GLANCE FACTFILE Country Size: 600,370 sq km. Climate: sub-tropical. Capital City: Gaborone. Government: parliamentary republic. Language: English (official) and Setswana. Religion: Christianity (15%, traditional beliefs (85%). Population: 1,561,973. Population Growth Rate: -0.89% Life Expectancy at birth: 30 years. GDP : US$14.2billion. GDP per capita: 8,600. Literacy: 79% Unemployment Rate: 40% Population living below the poverty line: 47% Industries: Mineral extraction, tourism, subsistance and live-stock frarming. |
| .Gorata's home |