Little Known Facts About Botswana

1. The World's Second-Largest Diamond Was Found in Botswana

In 2015, the Lucara Karowe mine in Botswana unearthed a 1,111-carat diamond, the second-largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered. Named "Lesedi La Rona," which means "Our Light" in Tswana, this remarkable find highlights Botswana's significance in the global diamond industry.

Fun Fact: The largest diamond ever found, the Cullinan Diamond (3,106 carats), was discovered in South Africa in 1905.

Large diamond on display, sparkling in bright light

2. Botswana Has the World's Largest Elephant Population

With an estimated 130,000 elephants, Botswana is home to the world's largest population of African elephants. This success is largely due to the country's strong conservation efforts and low human population density, allowing these magnificent creatures to thrive.

Fun Fact: Elephants can communicate over long distances using low-frequency sounds that humans can't hear.

Herd of elephants walking across a savanna in Botswana

3. The Kalahari Desert Is Not Actually a Desert

Despite its name, the Kalahari Desert is not a true desert. It receives too much rainfall (between 5-10 inches annually) to be classified as such. Instead, it's considered a semi-arid savanna, supporting a diverse array of plant and animal life.

Fun Fact: The San people have lived in the Kalahari for over 20,000 years, developing unique survival skills adapted to this challenging environment.

Vast landscape of the Kalahari with acacia trees and red sand

4. Botswana's Currency Is Named After Its Water

The currency of Botswana is called the Pula, which means "rain" in Setswana. In a semi-arid country where water is precious, this name reflects the value of rain to the nation. The subunit of the Pula is called "thebe," meaning "shield."

Fun Fact: The expression "Pula!" is also used as a greeting or to wish someone well, similar to "Cheers!" in English.

Botswana Pula banknotes and coins displayed on a wooden surface

5. Botswana Is Home to the World's Largest Salt Pans

The Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana form the largest salt pan system in the world, covering an area of approximately 12,000 square kilometers. During the rainy season, these pans fill with water, attracting thousands of flamingos and other migratory birds.

Fun Fact: The Makgadikgadi Pans are visible from space and are believed to be the remnant of an ancient lake that existed over 10 million years ago.

Aerial view of the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana

6. Botswana Is One of Africa's Most Stable Democracies

Since gaining independence from Britain in 1966, Botswana has maintained a strong democratic tradition. It's often referred to as the "African Miracle" due to its political stability, good governance, and economic growth. The country has never experienced a coup or civil war.

Fun Fact: Botswana's first president, Sir Seretse Khama, was the grandfather of the current president, Mokgweetsi Masisi.

7. The Okavango Delta: A Unique Inland River Delta

The Okavango Delta is one of the world's largest inland deltas. Unlike most river deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert, creating a unique ecosystem that supports an incredible diversity of wildlife. It's often called Africa's last Eden.

Fun Fact: The Okavango Delta was declared the 1000th UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.

Aerial view of the lush Okavango Delta waterways