Currently I am vacationing in South Africa for Christmas and am having a fantastic time exploring Cape Town with many other MCC workers. During my journey to South Africa I passed through the very interesting country of Botswana. I found that very interesting comparisons exist between the three countries of Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. So I will share these comparisons.
Zambia:
Population = 13.5 million
Land Area = 750 000 sq km
GDP per capita = $1 400 (US)
Major Products = Copper, Corn, Livestock
Major Ethnic Groups = Bemba, Tonga, Chewa, Lozi
Comments = A country blessed with good land and lots of rain to support the population, the majority of which are subsistence farmers. Canadian mining companies have dominate the Copperbelt province for many years although their reputation has not always been in high standards. For better or for worse, foreign NGOs continue to prop up the country financially.
Botswana:
Population = 2.0 million
Land Area = 580 000 sq km
GDP per capita = $12 700 (US)
Major Products = Cattle, Diamonds, Sorghum
Major Ethnic Groups = Setswana, Kalanga, Indigenous Groups (Bushmen)
Comments = A country dominated by the Kalahari desert means that water is always in short supply so lush green lawns are nonexistent. However the country has prospered under previous responsible governments that tightly managed the diamond industry in the country. Elephants are quite frequently seen grazing next to the road when driving through the country.
South Africa:
Population = 49.1 million
Land Area = 1 220 000 sq km
GDP per capita = $10 300 (US)
Major Products = Mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), Corn, Wine
Major Ethnic Groups = black African 79%, white 9.6%, coloured 8.9%, Indian/Asian 2.5%
(These are politically correct terms in South Africa)
Comments = A country that looks very similar to North America immediately upon entry. However the country is still very divided along racial lines 16 years after the end of apartheid. However it is one of the only African countries where the colonizers and African tribes made an effort to peacefully live together after the end of colonial rule. The country is covered with green mountains making for many spectacular natural sights.
*All of the numbers are from CIA World Factbook
*The comments are from my observations and from conversations I have had with different people.
