• Total aid: $30m (receipts)

Botswana's political and economic record has made it a favored recipient of aid, notably from Japan, Germany, the EU, the UK, and Norway. Some 90% of EU aid goes to projects which try to balance wildlife needs with rural development. Aid also targets transportation projects.

From 1600, Tswana migrations slowly displaced San people. In 1895, at local request, the UK set up the Bechuanaland Protectorate to preempt annexation by South Africa.

• 1965 BDP wins first, and all subsequent, general elections.
• 1966 Independence declared.
• 1980 Death of Sir Seretse Khama; succeeded by Vice President Quett (later Sir Ketumile) Masire.
• 1985–1986 South African raids.
• 1992–1993 Strikes and corruption scandals prompt resignations of senior BDP figures.
• 1994 Election: BDP support eroded.
• 1998 Masire retires; succeeded by Vice President Festus Mogae.
• 2001–2002 Botswana has world's highest rate of adult AIDS sufferers.

Weather chart

The subtropical climate is dry and prone to drought. Rainfall declines from 64 cm (25 in) in the north to under 10 cm (4 in) in the Kalahari Desert in the west.