Location | |
Flag | |
Quick Facts | |
Capital | Windhoek |
Government | Republic |
Currency | Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR) |
Area | total: 825,418 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 825,418 sq km |
Population | 2,030,692 (July 2006 est.) |
Language | English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama |
Religion | Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20% |
Electricity | 220-240V/50HZ |
Calling Code | +264 |
Internet TLD | .na |
Time Zone | UTC +1 |
Namibia is in Southern Africa, bordering South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Zambia and the Atlantic Ocean. Formerly a colony of Germany, Namibia was administered by South Africa under a League of Nations mandate after WWI, and annexed as a province of South Africa after WWII. The South-West African People's Organization (SWAPO) launched a guerrilla war for independence in 1966, but did not gain independence until 1990.
Namibia boasts remarkable natural attractions such as the Namib desert, the Fish River Canyon Park, Etosha National Park and the Kalahari desert. Its people speak nine different languages, including some of the Khoisan languages which include the 'clicks' that present an enigma to most native English-speakers. Namibia produces some of the world's highest quality diamonds.