The current status of vital staistics and civil registration systems in Botswana

Abstract

The Republic of Botswana is a land-locked country occupying an area of approximately 582,000 sq. kra. with an average altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level. Much of the country is relatively flat with gentle undulation, and occasional mountain ranges. It shares boundaries with Namibia in the West and North West, Zambia in the North, Zimbabwe in the North East and South Africa in the East and South. The country's climate is classified as arid or semi-arid. Rainfall is generally low, erratic and unevenly distributed. It ranges from less than 250 millimeters in Kgalagadi region to more than 650 millimeters in the North East. Over 90% of the rain falls during the summer season between the months of November and April. Temperature extremes can reach 43°C in the hot summer month of January and below 5°C in the winter month of July.