Botswana Districts and Capitals List

Botswana is divided into 16 districts, which are further divided into sub-districts and villages. Here is a list of the districts in Botswana:

Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered by Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The country is divided into districts and city councils that handle regional administration and local government services. Gaborone is the national capital and also the largest city in Botswana.

Much of Botswana is covered by the Kalahari Desert, but the country also has wetlands, grasslands, and wildlife-rich areas like the Okavango Delta. Mining, tourism, and cattle farming are important parts of the economy, and Botswana is often known for its political stability and conservation efforts.

Key Facts

• National capital: Gaborone
• Total population: 2,675,352 (Official estimate 2024)
• Total area: 581,730 km² (224,607 sq miles)
• Currency: Botswana Pula (P, BWP)
• Bordering countries: Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa
• Total Districts and Cities: 16
• Total Sub-Districts: Multiple administrative sub-districts

List of Districts and Capitals of Botswana

Total administrative divisions shown: 16 | Combined population: 2,675,352 | Combined area: 581,730 km²

Largest Districts by Area

• Central District - 57,039 sq mi (147,730 km²)
• North West District - 50,166 sq mi (129,930 km²)
• Ghanzi District - 45,525 sq mi (117,910 km²)
• Kgalagadi District - 40,618 sq mi (105,200 km²)
• Kweneng District - 13,857 sq mi (35,890 km²)
• Southern District - 10,992 sq mi (28,470 km²)
• Chobe District - 8,710 sq mi (22,559 km²)
• Kgatleng District - 3,073 sq mi (7,960 km²)

Most Populous Districts

• Central District - Population: 594,258 (Official Estimate 2024)
• Kweneng District - Population: 304,549 (Official Estimate 2024)
• Gaborone - Population: 246,325 (Official Estimate 2024)
• Southern District - Population: 228,028 (Official Estimate 2024)
• North West District - Population: 171,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
• South East District - Population: 111,724 (Official Estimate 2024)
• Francistown - Population: 103,417 (Official Estimate 2024)
• Kgatleng District - Population: 91,660 (Official Estimate 2024)

Smallest Districts by Area

• Lobatse - 13 sq mi (34 km²)
• Francistown - 31 sq mi (79 km²)
• Selibe Phikwe - 36 sq mi (92 km²)
• Jwaneng - 39 sq mi (100 km²)
• Gaborone - 65 sq mi (169 km²)
• Sowa Town - 208 sq mi (539 km²)

Districts by Regional Grouping

• Central: Central District
• Central West: Kweneng District
• North: Chobe District
• Northwest: North West District
• Northeast: North East District
• West: Ghanzi District
• Southwest: Kgalagadi District
• South: Southern District
• Southeast: Kgatleng District, South East District
• Southeast Urban: Gaborone
• Northeast Urban: Francistown, Sowa Town
• East Urban: Selibe Phikwe
• South Urban: Lobatse
• South Central Urban: Jwaneng

Landlocked Districts

• All districts and cities of Botswana are landlocked because the country has no coastline.

Districts with Coastline

• None - Botswana is a landlocked country.

Districts Sharing Borders with Other Countries

• Namibia: North West District, Chobe District, Kgalagadi District
• Zambia: Chobe District
• Zimbabwe: North East District, Central District, Chobe District
• South Africa: Southern District, South East District, Kgatleng District, Kgalagadi District

Sources

• Statistics Botswana
• World Bank - Botswana Data
• CIA World Factbook - Botswana
• Encyclopaedia Britannica - Botswana
• United Nations Statistics Division