Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Botswana

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Botswana.

Terrain: predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
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 degrees Fahrenheit. 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 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
Weather Patterns: http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/BCXX0001?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
Highest Point: 1489 — Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m
Lowest Point: 513 — junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m

Natural Resources: Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver, and natural gas. Diamonds remain by far the most economically significant resource, making Botswana one of the world's leading producers by value. The mining sector, anchored by diamond extraction through the Debswana partnership, is the cornerstone of the national economy. Copper and nickel are extracted primarily in the Selebi-Phikwe region, while coal deposits in the eastern part of the country hold substantial potential for both domestic energy use and export. Soda ash is commercially harvested from Sua Pan, one of Africa's largest soda ash operations. Exploration and development of natural gas and coal-bed methane resources have also gained increasing attention as Botswana works to diversify its energy and mineral portfolio.
Natural Hazards: periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility

Current Environmental Issues: overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources
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

Detailed geography