Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, is a gem of diverse landscapes and rich ecosystems. To answer the fundamental question, Where Is Botswana?, it is strategically positioned, bordered by several nations that shape its geography and regional significance. To its west and north lies Namibia, sharing a border that includes the Caprivi Strip. To the northeast, Botswana is flanked by Zambia and Zimbabwe, creating a unique point where the borders of four countries converge, although this precise meeting point remains undefined. South Africa completes the circle, bordering Botswana to the southeast and south. Notably, Botswana’s border with Zambia is remarkably short, stretching only a few hundred yards. The boundary with Namibia along the Chobe River’s main channel, extending to the Zambezi River, was a subject of dispute until a 1999 ruling by the International Court of Justice, which ultimately favored Botswana.
Physical features of Botswana map, highlighting its location in Southern Africa and neighboring countries.
Diverse Relief and Topography
Botswana’s landscape stretches from the Chobe River in the north, part of the Zambezi basin flowing into the Indian Ocean, to the Molopo River in the south, a tributary of the Orange River system that reaches the Atlantic. The Limpopo River and its tributaries, such as the Ngotwane, Marico, and Shashe rivers, define its eastern borders.
The country sits at a mean altitude of 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) and is largely characterized by a vast, sand-filled basin. Gently undulating plains rise towards highlands in neighboring countries. While generally flat, Botswana does have variations in elevation. The highest point is found in the hills north of Lobatse in southeastern Botswana, reaching 4,888 feet (1,490 meters). Conversely, the lowest point is in the Limpopo valley at the easternmost edge of the country, at 2,170 feet (660 meters).
Geographically, Botswana can be divided into three primary environmental zones. The eastern hardveld region is marked by rocky hill ranges and shallow sandy soils. The sandveld region, encompassing most of the country, is defined by deep Kalahari sand. In the north, ancient lake beds are superimposed on the sandveld within the Kalahari Basin’s lowest area, forming the third distinct region.
Beneath the extensive Kalahari sand, Botswana’s geology remains somewhat unexplored. The underlying rock groups in the sandveld are believed to be the youngest, part of the Karoo System formed millions of years ago. Precambrian rock formations dominate elsewhere. The eastern hardveld’s surface geology, visible in its hills, mainly comprises basement complex rocks dating back over 2.5 billion years, extending from South Africa and Zimbabwe. These ancient rocks stretch into younger formations in the southern sandveld, while the Ghanzi and Damara groups are found across the northwest into Namibia.
Intricate Drainage Systems
Botswana’s drainage is most famously represented by the Okavango Delta, a complex and not fully understood inland water system. The perennial Okavango River flows southward from Angola, across the Caprivi Strip, into its delta. A significant portion of the Okavango’s water evaporates within the delta’s 4,000 square miles (10,000 square km) of wetlands. Floodwaters extend eastward through the marshes to the Boteti River, which flows intermittently towards Lake Xau and the Makgadikgadi Pans, also covering around 4,000 square miles. The western side of the Okavango marshes has seen reduced water flow over time, leading to the near disappearance of Lake Ngami, once a prominent lake. In contrast, the eastern Makgadikgadi Pans experience annual flooding from the ephemeral Nata River originating in the Zimbabwe highlands. The southern tributaries of the pans are now dry valleys.
The Molopo River and its tributary, the Ramatlhabama, along Botswana’s southern border, rarely flood far from their sources. Most rivers in Botswana are ephemeral, typically flowing only during the summer rainy season. The Okavango River, before it reaches its delta, and the Chobe River, flowing through marshes along the northern border to join the Zambezi near Victoria Falls, are notable exceptions, maintaining vigorous flow due to rains from central Africa.
Aerial view of the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana, showcasing its complex water channels and lush vegetation.
Soil Composition and Fertility
The soils of the eastern hardveld are categorized into moderately dry red loamy mokata soils on the plains, mixed chalky and sandy chawana soils, and brownish rocky seloko soils around hills. Seloko soils are considered the most suitable for growing grain crops. However, rainfall, often unreliable in the hardveld and insufficient for cultivation in the sandveld, limits the fertility of all soil types.
The ancient lake beds feature alluvial soils, including gray loamy soils in wetlands, saline gray-green soils on the pans, gray clayish to yellowish sandy soils around wetlands, and very chalky light gray soils around the pans. Areas of gray to black cracking clay are also found in former wet zones, such as around Pandamatenga.
In conclusion, Botswana’s geographical coordinates place it in the heart of Southern Africa, characterized by a unique blend of desert landscapes, river systems, and varied soil compositions. Its location, bordering several countries and featuring distinct geographical regions, contributes to its ecological diversity and regional importance.
