Botswana Neighbouring Countries on the Map

Botswana’s Neighbors

South Africa

Botswana cozies up to South Africa along its longest international border. A whopping 1,223 miles make this fence the top contender for Botswana’s neighborly ties. It’s like a bridge connecting the two countries.

Namibia

The buddy to the left, Namibia, bonds with Botswana over a border that stretches 959 miles. This sibling rivalry is second only to the South African boundary and wraps around Botswana’s west and northwest flanks (source).

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe gives Botswana a northeastern hug, sharing a 518-mile border. It’s not just about geography; this line fosters a bunch of interactions between the countries (source).

Zambia

Don’t blink, or you’ll miss it! Botswana’s border with Zambia is on the petite side, but don’t let size fool ya: it slots Botswana right at the heart of Southern Africa, with Zambia chilling up north (source).

To get the scoop on diplomacy and money matters, take a gander at Border with South Africa and Trade Relations within SACU.

Relationships and Diplomacy

Relations with Namibia

Botswana and Namibia sit side by side, literally sharing a long stretch of border, making them more than just geographical neighbors—they’re like friendly next-door pals. Since Namibia strutted out from under South Africa’s shadow in 1990, these two have been shoulder to shoulder, boosting each other’s economies and regional ties. If you’re up for the nitty-gritty on their shared frontier, have a peek at our section on Border with Namibia. It’s like a tale of two countries, thick as thieves.

Diplomatic Ties with the United Kingdom

In the spirit of old friendships, Botswana waved its union jack goodbye back in September 1966. Yet, the farewell wasn’t a bitter one. The UK remained a steadfast chum, contributing to Botswana’s growth in areas like education and making strides in boosting its economy. This history isn’t just gathering dust; it actively shapes today’s interactions in trade, culture, and governance.

Ties with the United States

Chatting about big friendships, Botswana sure shares some camaraderie with the United States. Post-independence, the U.S. stepped in as a major ally, considering Botswana a bright beacon of stability in Africa. Programs like Peace Corps, USAID, and the CDC play a starring role in this partnership, doing wonders in health and education, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Botswana treasures these efforts, showcasing them as trailblazers in meeting its developmental goals. Curious about these health efforts? Our section on healthcare and HIV/AIDS impact has you covered.

Relations with Zimbabwe

Over to Zimbabwe now—Botswana shares an intricate yet cooperative dance with them. Border posts like Mlambapeli are the new bright spots, easing trade and travel jams better than traffic lights at rush hour. Check out how we detail these efforts at our page on Border with Zimbabwe. It’s a fascinating look at how two neighbors work hand-in-hand, pushing for smoother commerce and people exchange.

Diplomatic Relations with the Soviet Union

When Botswana said “let’s be friends” to the Soviet Union (now Russia) on March 6, 1970, it wasn’t just idle chatter. They’ve enjoyed a strong bond, dabbling in various industries—especially in human resources. This friendly exchange of smarts and skills has been a ticket to international recognition for Botswana. Fancy exploring more? Then hit our section on governance and institutions for all the juicy details.

Borders and Border Crossings

Botswana cozies up to four friendly neighbors: South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These borders not only mark Botswana’s territory but also shape its economy and ties with these nations.

Border with South Africa

Stretching over 1,223 miles, the Botswana-South Africa border is like the longest highway connecting the two countries. This line is vital for trade, thanks to Botswana’s spot in the Southern African Customs Union (a club that makes swapping goods and people as smooth as butter with South Africa).

Border Bit	Details
Length	1,223 miles
Major Crossings	Tlokweng Border Post, Ramatlabama

Internal links: angola nearby neighbors, eswatini nearby neighbors

Border with Namibia

Botswana locks arms with Namibia along a 959-mile stretch (World Atlas), making it the runner-up in length. Along this border, you’ll find bits of the Kalahari Desert and a peaceful vibe that speaks to the good relations the two countries enjoy.

Border Bit	Details
Length	959 miles
Major Crossings	Ngoma Bridge, Mamuno Border Post

Internal links: democratic republic of the congo nearby neighbors, lesotho nearby neighbors

Border with Zambia

The Zambia-Botswana border claims the title of shortest, measuring just a few quick steps, where the countries meet near Kazungula. The Zambezi River serves as a natural divide, bridged by the Kazungula Ferry — a massive ferry service hopping with activity, shuffling folks from one country to the other.

Border Bit	Details
Length	Shortest
Major Crossings	Kazungula Ferry

Internal links: zambia nearby neighbors, zimbabwe nearby neighbors

Border with Zimbabwe

Botswana’s top right neighbor is Zimbabwe, with a 518-mile shared story. This fence-lined boundary is key for keeping things secure and driving trade smoothly through its various border posts.

Border Bit	Details
Length	518 miles
Major Crossings	Plumtree Border Post, Ramokgwebana Border Post

Internal links: southern africa nearby neighbors, madagascar nearby neighbors

Peeking into Botswana’s borders and crossings gives a peek into its connections with neighboring pals. If you’re itching for more border tales, hop over to belize nearby neighbors or brazil nearby neighbors.

Economic Aspects

Let’s take a peek at the gears turning in Botswana’s economy by checking out its trade hustle, diamond riches, and farming woes. Buckle up, folks!

Trade Relations within SACU

Botswana buddies up with South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Namibia, yoked together in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Back in 2001, SACU slapped a 3.6% tariff, leaving the door wide open for trade with Botswana. Local businesses have some special privileges, but don’t worry— trade remains pretty hassle-free. Our friends in Botswana are also chatting up a free trade pact with Mercosur and working on a business hookup with the European Union along with SADC.

Trade Agreement	Who’s Involved	What’s Up?
SACU Agreement	South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia	Light on trade barriers, common tariff
Mercosur Free Trade Agreement	Merchants of South America	Talks underway
SADC Economic Partnership Agreement	European Union	In the negotiating stage

Diamond Mining and Economic Impact

Diamonds are Botswana’s main man. As one of the top dogs in diamond production, their shine bolsters Botswana’s pockets big time. 2022 was bling-bling central with 24 million carats dazzling the market. The 50:50 tango with De Beers in Debswana keeps the cash flowing, making Botswana shine in gold—er, diamonds!

Aspect	Gist
Diamond Output (2022)	24 million carats
Government Moolah	50% from shiny rocks
Income Status	Fourth highest across the continent
The Big Players	Debswana (half ownd by De Beers)

While diamonds fill the treasure chest, they ain’t offering a lot of jobs, and that’s a prickly point given the jobless rate lurking around.

Agricultural Sector Challenges

Farming in Botswana mainly involves tending to crops and cows, a staple for 70% of rural folks. But despite all the plowing and mooing, agriculture only scratches the surface of Botswana’s food needs and GDP, contributing a teeny 1.8%. Unpredictable rain and not-so-great dirt don’t help the cause.

Recently, the Botswana Meat Commission’s (BMC) beef hold was released in late 2023, though beefing up productivity is no easy task with cattle diseases going around.

The Hassle	What’s the Deal?
Crazy Weather	Messes with crops
Bad Soil	Crimps farming output
Moo Problems	Disease hits herd, affecting beef biz

These economic tidbits spill the beans on Botswana’s game plan and how they’re rubbing shoulders with the neighbors. Interested in nearby places? Catch more scoop on neighboring areas like Afghanistan and Albania.

Governance and Institutions

Botswana is known for its rock-solid and democratic governance. Ever since shaking off British colonial rule in 1966, they’ve been running a tight ship with their own set of institutions.

Democratic Framework

Botswana’s democratic gig rolls smoothly both nationally and locally. With a combo meal approach, their President handles both the country’s big-picture stuff and daily grind. Come every five years, the citizens are at the ballot box, making their voices heard.

Three big reasons behind Botswana’s democracy success story:

1. Rule of Law: Their legal brew mixes Roman-Dutch with customary hop.
2. Civil Liberties: Free speech? Check. Meetings whenever? Check. Join what you believe in? Big check.
3. Electoral Process: They keep elections clear and honest, which is pretty key for fair play in politics.

Institutional Stability

The gears turn smoothly in Botswana’s institutions, as they’re as steady as a cat napping in the sun, pulling in nice credit scores too (BTI Project). Here’s why:

• Smart Governance: Policies get rolled out right thanks to a smart and capable civil service.
• Courts Doing Their Thing: Judges call the shots without a whisper in their ear, keeping it fair and square.
• Strong Rules: Policies are straightforward, apply to everyone, and are a wind in economic sails.

Challenges in Electoral System

Even with a winning streak, Botswana’s electoral setup has a few bumps to smooth out. Fixing these keeps democracy flying high:

1. Representation Gaps: The riches gap, shown by a Gini index of 53.3, bleeds into politics too (BTI Project). This can throw a wrench in equal participation.
2. Political Monopoly: Why bother with choices if one party does all the talking? That’s where limited political competition kicks in.
3. Voter Mojo: Getting more folks involved at the voter booth, especially those on the fringe, is still a work-in-progress.

For closer looks at the electoral scene and how Botswana handles its democracy, you might want to check out albania neighbouring countries and bahrain neighbouring countries on our site.

Grasping the ins and outs of Botswana’s governance gives you a good feel for how they keep things steady amid challenges. And if you’re curious what’s next door, stop by botswana neighbouring countries for more tales.

Socioeconomic Situation

Botswana’s socio-economic situation is influenced by a mix of factors like income gaps, health care hurdles, and growth in the economy.

Wealth Gaps and Hard Times

Botswana has its share of big hurdles to jump, standing as one of the countries with the widest wealth gaps on earth. The World Bank pegs its Gini index at a whopping 53.3, a big number that spells out major income differences.

Thing Looked At	Number
Gini Index	53.3
People Under Poverty	16.3%

There’s a big push to lift folks out of poverty, focusing on sprucing up rural areas and making sure basic needs aren’t a luxury.

Health Woes and HIV/AIDS Struggles

HIV/AIDS has slammed Botswana hard, hacking life expectancy from 65 years down to a jaw-dropping 35 years. Yet, Botswana is fighting back with gusto. Antiretroviral therapy is more common now, there are fewer little ones getting HIV, and more folks are getting the help they need (Wikipedia).

Thing Looked At	Number
Life Years Lost	65 down to 35
Antiretroviral Access	Up a lot
Young Kiddos Getting HIV	Down

The health pros keep their eyes on the prize, aiming to make HIV/AIDS less of a headline and bring back a longer, healthier life for all.

Money Grew and Country’s Dough

Botswana’s money game has really picked up steam. The Ministry of Trade and Industry is all about making biz happen and money flow. GDP per person jumped from just $439 in 1950 to $15,842 in 2018, marking a serious glow up from dirt poor to cushy middle-upper earner with a lot of freedom in the money-making department (Wikipedia).

Year	GDP Dough Per Head ($)
1950	439
2018	15,842

This bump in bucks shows off smart playbooks in business from digging up diamonds to finding other ways to keep the cash coming in.

Botswana’s got a rich, complex scene with ups and downs steering it toward a hopeful and comfy future. Curious about who’s living next door? Check out our pieces on neighboring countries like Algeria, Benin, and Brazil.