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Botswana
Republic of Botswana
Political Status: Independent republic within the Commonwealth since September 30, 1966.
Area: 224,607 sq. mi. (581,730 sq. km).
Population: 2,333,000 (2018E—World Bank); 2,215,000 (2018E—U.S. Census).
Major Urban Centers (2016E): GABORONE (247,000), Francistown (90,000), Molepolole (63,000), Selebi-Pikwe (54,000).
Official Language: English (Setswana is widely spoken).
Monetary Unit: Pula (official rate October 19, 2018: 10.45 pula = $1US).
President: Mokgweetsi MASISI (Botswana Democratic Party); elevated from the vice presidency (as constitutionally ordained) on April 1, 2018, to succeed Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (Botswana Democratic Party), who retired on March 31 after reaching the ten-year maximum term of office allowed by the constitution.
Vice President: Slumber TSOGWANE (Botswana Democratic Party); appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly on April 4, 2018, succeeding Mokgweetsi MASISI (Botswana Democratic Party), ...