Namibia Facts
What is the capital of Namibia?
Windhoek is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It has a population of 233,529 inhabitants.
The city is the major commercial and financial center of Namibia. It sits on a sloping plain on the northern side of the Khomas Hochland (Khomas Highlands) at an altitude of 1,728 meters.
Where is Namibia?
Namibia is located in southern Africa.
What countries border Namibia?
Located in southern Africa, the country is bordered on the north by Angola and Zambia, on the south by South Africa, on the east by Botswana, on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Around 80% of the country’s terrain consists of deserts.
What desert lies to the east of Namibia?
The Kalahari Desert lies to the east of Namibia. It is the ninth-largest desert in the world. It comprises parts of Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
What is the northern coast of Namibia known as?
The northern coast of Namibia is known as the Skeleton Coast. It is so named because of the many sailors who perished on this desolate sandy coast.
What are the administrative divisions of Namibia?
Namibia is divided into 13 regions and subdivided into 107 constituencies.
Who are the political leaders of Namibia?
President : Hifikepunye Pohamba
Prime Minister : Nahas Angula
What currency is used in Namibia?
The Namibian dollar is the currency of Namibia. Its code is NAD. It was introduced in September 1993, and is still linked to the South African rand, which is also legal tender in Namibia.
What is the official language of Namibia?
Although Afrikaans is the most widely spoken language, it is not the official language of Namibia. English, though spoken as a first language by only about seven percent of the population, is the official language. The most commonly spoken native language is Ovambo (or Oshivambo), and the most common European language is German.
What is the religion of Namibia?
More than 90 percent people of Namibia identify themselves as Christians. The two largest denominations are the Lutheran and Roman Catholic Churches. Other non-Christian denominations include the Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Bahai faiths.
When did Namibia achieve independence?
Until 1915 Namibia was a German colony known as South West Africa. It was captured by South African forces during World War I, and in 1920 South Africa was given a League of Nations mandate to govern the territory. After lengthy international negotiations and a guerilla campaign by SWAPO, South Africa agreed to give up its mandate and grant independence to Namibia. Elections then took place under United Nations supervision, and the former leader of SWAPO, Dr. Sam Nujoma, was elected president.
What is the economy of Namibia like?
Namibia’s economy has a modern market sector and a traditional subsistence sector. The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. The country is a large exporter of non-fuel minerals in Africa and producer of uranium.
Namibian agriculture contributes only 13% to the country’s GDP, but about 70% of the population depends on agricultural activities (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood.
The country has rich fishing grounds. The commercial fishing sector is a fast-growing part of the Namibian economy. Main species are pilchards (sardines), anchovies, hake, and horse mackerel. Mining is Namibia’s most important economic sector. High value, gem-quality diamonds, gold, silver, copper and other minerals make Namibia a leading exporter.
What is the role of SWAPO in the country’s history?
SWAPO (South West Africa People’s Organisation) carried out guerilla activities against South African forces from 1966. Its former leader, Sam Nujoma, became Namibia’s first president following the elections in 1990.
