Q 01/05

What is the capital and largest city of Botswana?

A) Windhoek

B) Maun

C) Gaborone

D) Francistown

Answer · why

C) Gaborone

It was purpose-built in the mid-1960s because the colonial capital, Mafeking, was actually across the border.

Q 02/05

Roughly what share of Botswana's territory is part of the Kalahari Desert?

A) About 20%

B) About 95%

C) About 45%

D) About 70%

Answer · why

D) About 70%

Kalahari comes from a Tswana word meaning "the great thirst"; the desert is really a semi-arid sandy savanna.

Q 03/05

Which country produces more diamonds than any other?

A) Russia

B) Australia

C) Botswana

D) South Africa

Answer · why

C) Botswana

Mining supplies about 40% of government revenue; the state owns half of the Debswana mining company.

Q 04/05

Botswana's currency, the pula, takes its name from the Setswana word for what?

A) Rain

B) Peace

C) Cattle

D) Diamond

Answer · why

A) Rain

Rain is so precious in the Kalahari that pula also means "blessing"; the sub-unit thebe means "shield".

Q 05/05

What do the blue field and the black-and-white stripe on Botswana's flag represent?

A) The Okavango; the zebra

B) Water and rainfall; racial harmony

C) The sky; the Kalahari sand

D) Diamonds; the Tswana people

Answer · why

B) Water and rainfall; racial harmony

Designed by a British colonial administrator, it was first hoisted at midnight on independence day, 30 September 1966.