Botswana pula
Botswana pula | |||||
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ISO 4217 Code | BWP | ||||
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User(s) | Botswana | ||||
Inflation | 8.5% | ||||
Source | Bank of Botswana, December 2006 | ||||
Method | CPI | ||||
Subunit | |||||
1/100 | thebe | ||||
Symbol | P | ||||
Coins | 5, 10, 25, 50 thebe, 1, 2, 5 pula | ||||
Banknotes | 10, 20, 50, and 100 pula | ||||
Central bank | Bank of Botswana | ||||
Website | www.bankofbotswana.bw |
¤ • Currency signs | |||||
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฿ • ₵ • ¢ • $ • ₡ • ₫ • € • ƒ • ₲ • ₭ |
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Former signs |
The pula is the currency of Botswana. Pula literally means "rain" in Setswana, because rain is very scarce in Botswana - home to much of the Kalahari Desert - and therefore valuable. Pula also means "blessing" as rain is a blessing to these desert people. The pula is divided into 100 thebe (lit. "shield"). The pula was introduced in 1976, replacing the South African rand at par. Despite a 12% devaluation in May 2005, the pula remains one of the strongest currencies in Africa.
Contents |
Coins
Coins in current use are in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 thebe, 1, 2 and 5 pula. 1 and 2 thebe coins have been withdrawn from circulation.
Banknotes
Banknotes in ciculation are the 10, 20, 50 and 100 pula. According to a press release[1], the old 1, 2 and 5 pula banknotes were demonitized on July 1, 2006, but can be exchanged at the central bank for 5 years.
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See also
References
External links
- Don's World Coin Gallery - Botswana
- Ron Wise's World Paper Money - Botswana Mirror site
- Tables of Modern Monetary Systems by Kurt Schuler - Botswana Mirror site
- The Global History of Currencies - Botswana
- Global Financial Data currency histories table ( Microsoft Excel format)
Preceded by: South African rand Reason: creation of independent currency Ratio: at par |
Currency of Botswana 1976 – |
Succeeded by: Current |