Botswana Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Botswana?

Geography - note

Landlocked; population concentrated in the eastern part of the country

Climate

Most of its area is an inhospitable semi-desert known as the Kalahari. Even the most arable sections of eastern Botswana are subject to periodic drought and unpredictable rains. Botswana straddles the Tropic of Capricorn and has an average elevation of 3,300 feet. Daily high temperatures during the hottest month, January, average in the upper 90's to over 100°F. Winter daytime temperatures generally reach 70 degrees, but with little cloud cover and no humidity to hold warmth in the air, they plummet to 30 or 40°F at night.

Botswana Use of Natural Resources

Botswana Environment

Climate:

Most of its area is an inhospitable semi-desert known as the Kalahari. Even the most arable sections of eastern Botswana are subject to periodic drought and unpredictable rains. Botswana straddles the Tropic of Capricorn and has an average elevation of 3,300 feet. Daily high temperatures during the hottest month, January, average in the upper 90's to over 100°F. Winter daytime temperatures generally reach 70 degrees, but with little cloud cover and no humidity to hold warmth in the air, they plummet to 30 or 40°F at night.

Terrain:

Predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; the Kalahari Desert in southwest

Natural Resources:

Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver

Natural Hazards:

Periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility

Irrigated Land:

5 Square Miles
14 Square Kilometers

Environmental Issues:

Overgrazing; desertification; limited freshwater resources

Environment - International Agreements:

Party To: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Botswana Geography

Geographic Location Africa
Total Area 224,606 Square Miles
581,730 Square Kilometers
Land Area 218,814 Square Miles
566,730 Square Kilometers
Water Area 5,792 Square Miles
15,000 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries 2,494 Miles
4,013 Kilometers
Irrigated Land 5 Square Miles
14 Square Kilometers
Border Countries Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km
Geographic Coordinates 22 00 S, 24 00 E
Terrain Predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; the Kalahari Desert in southwest
Highest Point 1,489 Meters
Highest Point Location Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m
Lowest Point 513 Meters
Lowest Point Location Junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
Natural Resources Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver
Time Zone UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
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