Namibia

Namibia (formerly South-West Africa) A country in southern Africa with borders on Angola in the north, Botswana in the east, and South Africa in the south.

Physical

In the north-east of Namibia a long sliver of territory, the Caprivi Strip, reaches between Angola and Botswana to Zambia. In the west the Namibia Desert stretches down the Atlantic Ocean coast; in the east is the Kalahari. The higher land between is also hot and arid and has no permanent rivers.

Economy

Poor rainfall limits agriculture to livestock-raising, although fishing, millet, maize, and wheat are also important. Exports are dominated by uranium and diamonds. Diamonds are found near the Orange River in the extreme south. There are also deposits of tungsten, vanadium, tin, copper, and lead. There is a shortage of skilled labour, and manufacturing industry is limited. The economy has not recovered from the devastation of the war for independence, and is still highly dependent on South Africa and multinational companies.

History

Namibia was occupied by Khoikhoin (Hottentot), San (Bushman), and Herero peoples when Portuguese navigators explored the coastal areas of the country in the late 15th century. German missionaries went there in the 19th century and in 1884 the German protectorate of South-West Africa was established. In 1915, during World War I, it was captured by South African forces, and in 1920 became a LEAGUE OF NATIONS mandated territory under South Africa. In 1946 the United Nations refused to allow it to be incorporated into South Africa and ended the mandate (1964), renaming the territory Namibia. In 1971 the International Court of Justice at The Hague ruled that the continued occupation of Namibia by South Africa was illegal and the UN recognized the Black nationalist group, SWAPO (South West Africa People's Organization), as the legitimate representative of the people of Namibia. A National Assembly for internal government was established by South Africa in 1979 but SWAPO guerrillas continued to operate from Angola, which South African troops invaded. In 1988 South Africa was persuaded by the UN to negotiate with the SWAPO leader Samuel Nujoma. A Geneva protocol was signed in August and SWAPO won elections in November 1989, with Nujoma becoming President. Namibia gained independence as a multiparty democracy in 1990. Walvis Bay, a major port, remained an enclave of South Africa until 1994, when it was returned to Namibia. Nujoma was re-elected President in 1994.

Capital:	Windhoek
Area:	824,292 sq km (317,818 sq miles)
Population:	1,622,000 (1998 est)
Currency:	1 South African rand=100 cents
Religions:	Lutheran 51.2%; Roman Catholic 19.8%; Dutch Reformed 6.1%; Anglican 5.0%
Ethnic Groups:	Ovambo 49.8%; Kavango 9.3%; Herero 7.5%; Damara 7.5%; White 6.4%; Nama 4.8%
Languages:	Afrikaans; English; German (official); Ambo; Herero; local languages
International Organizations:	Common wealth; UN; OAS; SADC