* Population: 1,295,000 (1990).

* Situation: Southern Africa.

* Timezone: GMT + 2 hours.

* Area: 582096 sq km/224,689 sq miles.

* Borders with: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe.

* Capital: Gaborone.

* Major Towns: Francistown, Jwaneng, Lobatse, Orapa, Selebi-Phikwe.

* Religion: Mainly local, 20% Christian.

* Rest Day: Sunday.

* Physical: Land-locked. Kalahari Desert sandy plateau average height 1000m/3000 ft. River Limpopo runs along the eastern border. Okavango inland River Delta is rich in flora and fauna. In the north and north west there is deciduous forest.