Central District (Botswana)

Central
District

Location within Botswana
Coordinates: 22°00′S 26°00′E / 22.000°S 26.000°ECoordinates: 22°00′S 26°00′E / 22.000°S 26.000°E
Country  Botswana
Capital Serowe
Area
 • Total 31,381 km2 (12,116 sq mi)
Population (2011 census)
 • Total 188,174
 • Density 6.0/km2 (16/sq mi)
Time zone Central Africa Time (UTC+2)

Central is the largest of Botswana's districts in terms of area and population. It encompasses the traditional homeland of the Bamangwato people. Some of the most politically connected Batswana have come from the Central District, including former President Sir Seretse Khama, former President Festus Mogae, and current President Lt. General Seretse Ian Khama.

Main population centers in Central include Palapye and Serowe, two of Africa's largest traditional villages. The district also contains tributaries of the Limpopo River, which are prone to flash floods when sudden rainstorms drain eastward into the Limpopo.

In the northeast, Central borders Zimbabwe's Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South Provinces, and in the southeast Central borders South Africa's Limpopo Province. Domestically, it borders the following districts:

Sub-districts

Sub-districts of Central District include:

Natural resources

There exist conflicts between agricultural expansion and protection of indigenous wildlife within the Central District.[1] There are several seasonal rivers in the district including the Boteti River and the Lepashe River, whose flows in the rainy season reach the Makgadikgadi Pans.

See also

References

Line notes

  1. ↑ J.Petter, H. Hansen and A. Lillethun