The country obtained its independence from the British in 1966. Unlike other British colonies of that time, the country was of less economic value to the Colonial Masters as such granting Independence to Botswana was a "wanted request" by the British. When the British left Botswana, the then Bechuanaland; rumour has it that the only piece of "civilization" the British left as a reminder of their presence in Botswana was a 15km stretch of tarred road.
Mineral Resources
Mineral exploration bore fruit immediately after the british left and the government that was reinvested the revenue from mineral resources into developing the country to bring it to par with its neighbours who had benefited somewhat both infrastructure economic wise from the British rule e.g. South Africa and Zimbabwe. Recently, news has come out that there are Uranium deposits which could constitute as much as 8% of the world's uranium that have been discovered in the Letlhakane area which is an area in close proximity to one of the largest diamond mines in the country i.e. Orapa.
Economic Growth
Over the years the country has enjoyed steady economic growth mainly from diamond sale revenue and tourism. Tourism industry is the second largest sector contributing to the country's economy and a significant contributor to the GDP. The government is involved in an intensive economic diversification in an attempt to reduce high dependence on the sale of minerals; mainly diamonds.
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