Southern; in addition, there are 4
town councils - Francistown, Gaborone, Lobaste, Selebi-Phikwe
Independence:
30 September 1966 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 30 September (1966)
Constitution:
March 1965, effective 30 September 1966
Legal system:
based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review
limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Sir Ketumile MASIRE (since 13 July 1980); Vice President
Festus MOGAE (since 9 March 1992); election last held 7 October 1989
(next to be held October 1994); results - President Sir Ketumile
MASIRE was reelected by the National Assembly
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament
House of Chiefs:
is a largely advisory 15-member body consisting of chiefs of the 8
principal tribes, 4 elected subchiefs, and 3 members selected by the
other 12
National Assembly:
elections last held 7 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (38 total of which 34
are elected and 4 are appointed) BDP 31, BNF 3, unfilled seats pending
new elections 4
Judicial branch:
High Court, Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Sir Ketumile MASIRE; Botswana
National Front (BNF), Kenneth KOMA; Botswana People's Party (BPP),
Knight MARIPE; Botswana Independence Party (BIP), Motsamai MPHO
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,
LORCS, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ,
UNOMUR, UNOSOM, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Botsweletse Kingsley SEBELE
chancery:
Suite 7M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 244-4990 or 4991
FAX:
(202) 244-4164
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Howard JETER
embassy:
address NA, Gaborone
mailing address:
P. O. Box 90, Gaborone
telephone:
[267] 353-982
FAX:
[267] 356-947
Flag:
light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center

@Botswana, Economy

Overview:
The economy has historically been based on cattle raising and crops.
Agricult