Botswana is a landlocked nation in Southern Africa, bordered by Zimbabwe to the northeast, Namibia to the north and west and South Africa to the south and east. Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, the Republic of Botswana adopted its new name (taken from its largest ethnic group, the Tswana) after becoming independent within the Commonwealth in 1966.

The tableland of the Kalahari Desert covers most of north, central and western Botswana; however, it is the national parks and game reserves that cover 17% of the country that hold the most attraction for visitors, with vast grass flats, low tree-covered ridges, lagoons and abundant wildlife.

Botswana's economy is closely tied to South Africa's, and is dominated by mining (especially diamonds), tourism and cattle.