What is the area of Botswana?

Botswana covers 582,000 km², making it a large country in southern Africa, largely occupied by the Kalahari Desert.

The dimensions of Botswana's territory

With its 582,000 km², Botswana ranks among the largest countries in southern Africa. This area is roughly equivalent to that of mainland France, testifying to the vastness of the territory.

A territory dominated by the Kalahari

The majority of this area is covered by the Kalahari Desert, which extends over approximately 70% of the country. This immense semi-arid expanse shapes the landscape and greatly influences the distribution of Botswana's population.

Key points

  • Botswana is larger than France but has fewer than 3 million inhabitants
  • The Kalahari Desert occupies three-quarters of the territory
  • The country shares its borders with South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe