Botswana is a landlocked, sparsely populated country in Southern Africa, known for its diamond resources, stable democracy, and remarkable economic growth since its independence in 1966. A vast portion of the country is covered by the Kalahari Desert, but it also features wetlands like the Okavango Delta, supporting abundant wildlife. The nation's economy has transitioned from one of the world's poorest to an upper-middle-income country, largely due to effective management of its diamond wealth.