Namibia

Namibia (formerly South West Africa)

Country statistics

area:	825,414sq km (318,694 sq mi) 1,826,854
capital (population):	Windhoek (194,300)
government:	Multi-party republic
ethnic groups:	Ovambo 50%, Kavango 9%, Herero 7%, Damara 7%, White 6%, Nama 5%
languages:	English (official)
religions:	Lutheran 51%, Roman Catholic 20%
currency:	Namibian dollar = 100 cents

Republic in sw Africa.

Land and climate

Namibia broadly has four geographical regions. The arid Namib Desert runs along the Atlantic coast. Inland, a central plateau, mostly between 900 and 2000m (2950–6560ft), includes the capital, Windhoek. The highest point is Brandberg Mountain, at 2606m (8550ft). In the n lies an alluvial plain, which includes the marshlands of the Caprivi Strip. To the e is the w fringe of the Kalahari. The Orange River forms Namibia's s border. It is a warm, arid country. Grassland and shrub cover much of the interior.

History

The nomadic San inhabited the region c.2000 years ago. They were gradually displaced by Bantu-speakers, such as the Ovambo, Kavango and Herero. Portuguese navigators arrived in the early 15th century. Colonization began in earnest in the 19th century. In 1884 Germany claimed the region as a protectorate and subsumed it into the territory of South West Africa. Germany brutally local rebellions. The discovery of diamonds in 1908 increased European settlement. During World War 1 it was occupied (1915) by South African troops. In 1920, South Africa gained a mandate. After World War 2, South Africa refused to relinquish control. In 1966, the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) began a guerrilla war against South Africa. In 1968, the United Nations called on South Africa to withdraw. In 1971, the International Court of Justice declared that South Africa's rule over Namibia was illegal. South Africa refused to comply. International pressure forced South Africa to promise Namibia independence, but South Africa then qualified the terms. Civil war raged from 1977. A UN security council peace settlement was finally implemented in 1989. SWAPO won multi-party elections in November 1989. In March 1990, Namibia became an independent republic within the British Commonwealth. In 1990, Sam Nujoma became president. He was re-elected in 1994 and 1999. In 1994 South Africa renounced its claim to Walvis Bay and it was incorporated into Namibia. In 2003, the Namibia Farmworkers Union announced it would start forcibly taking white-owned farms.

Economy

Namibia is the world's seventh largest producer of diamonds and ninth largest producer of uranium (2000 GDP per capita, US$4300). Minerals make up 90% of exports. Farming employs c.40% of the workforce. The main activity is cattle and sheep farming. The chief food products are maize, millet and vegetables. Atlantic fishing is also important.

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.namibweb.com