History
Botswana had an estimated population of 1.6 million as of 1999; about 60% have Tswana origin. About 75 percent of the people of Botswana live in the eastern part of the country, in medium to large agricultural or urban settlements. The remaining 25 percent live in the west of the country in smaller settlements. About 20 percent of the total population lives in the four major urban areas - Gaborone, Francistown, Lobatse and Selebi-Phikwe.

Botswana has a rich mix of African cultures, most of which can be traced back to the hot rainy forest areas of equatorial Africa dating back to more than 10,000 years ago. There were also people from other cultural backgrounds who today call Botswana home, scenic beauty and strong cultural heritage attract many visitors to this unspoiled land.

The Tswana people are the largest group in Botswana and traditionally comprise almost half of the country's total population. The three major Tswana groups are the Bakwena (who eventually came to settle on the Molepolole area), the Bangwato (who eventually came to settle the Shoshong/Palapye/ Serowe areas), and the Bangwaketse (who eventually came to settle the Kanye area).

Language
Setswana is the national language, while English is the official medium of communication.

Culture
Music is the aspect of culture that has perhaps best survived the onslaught of western influences in Botswana. Both the traditional and modern music of numerous ethnic groups from southern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa are heard nearly everywhere you go. Music, dance and singing are an integral part of everyday activities and modern-day ceremonies such as weddings and even funerals.

Religion
Early tribal religions were primarily cults, devoted to a supreme being and creator known as Modimo. Religious rites included the bogwera and bojale (male and female initiation ceremonies) and gofethla pula or rainmaking rites.

Today, Christianity is the most prevalent belief system in Botswana, embraced by well over 60 percent of the population. The main denominations are Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, Lutheranism and Methodist.

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