Namibia

 

Quick Facts

• Continental region – South Africa
• Currency symbol of Namibia – Namibian dollar (symbol: N$)
• Capital City –Windhoek
• Official languages –English, the official language, is spoken by 3% of people as their native language. English was introduced as the official language in order to create a formal break with colonial legacy. Rather than choose German or Afrikaans, the languages of former powers. The Namibian government chose a language that represented its new independence.
• Population –2,540,905 (2020)
• Country dialling code  –  (+264 )
• Official website – Namibia
• Top 3 biggest industries  –Meatpacking, Fish Processing, Dairy Products
• Google Maps link – Namibia
• Where is it? –Namibia is the country located on the southwestern coast of Africa. It is bordered by Angola to the north, Zambia to the northeast, Botswana to the east, South Africa to the southeast and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It ranges from arid in the north to desert on the coast and in the east. The landscape is spectacular, but the desert, mountains, canyons, and savannas are perhaps better to see than to occupy.

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Namibia In Pictures

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Namibia History

• How did the country get its first name? – The name of the country is derived from the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world. The name Namib itself is of Nama origin and means “vast place”.
• When and by whom the country was first discovered? – Various groups have occupied the land for thousands of years including Bantu Bushmen, San Bushmen and Nama tribes. The first European that landed in Namibia was the Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão, who came ashore north of Swakopmund at Cape Cross in 1484.
•  Who were the first Inhabitants? – The earliest known inhabitants of Namibia are the San (Bushmen), who belong to the Khoesan peoples. Generally short in stature, they have light yellowish-brown skins, while their language, which differs among the different groups, is characterised by numerous clicking sounds.

• When it was first recognized as a country? – Namibia gained formal independence from South Africa 21 March 1990. 
• Who was the first leader of the country? – Samuel Shafiishuna Daniel Nujoma, (born 12 May 1929) is a Namibian revolutionary, anti-apartheid activist and politician who served three terms as the first President of Namibia, from 1990 to 2005.

Five Significant Events 

1. 1488: Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias visits.

2. 1886-90: Present international boundaries established by German treaties with Portugal and Britain. Germany annexes the territory as South West Africa.

3. 1892-1905: Suppression of uprisings by Herero and Namas. Possibly 60,000, or 80% of the Herero population, are killed, leaving some 15,000 starving refugees.

4. 1915: South African occupation- South Africa takes over territory during First World War.

5. 1990 March: Independence- Namibia becomes independent, with Sam Nujoma as first president

Five Places to Visit in Namibia

1. Etosha National Park: Etosha National Park surrounds the vast Etosha salt pan. The pan itself is usually dry and only fills with water briefly in the summer, but is enough to stimulate the growth of a blue-green algae which lures thousands of flamingos. (https://etoshanationalpark.co.za/)
2. Namib-Naukluft National Park: The Namib-Naukluft National Park contains both the Namib Desert and the Naukluft Mountain Range. It’s also the largest game park in Africa and a beautiful setting. (http://www.info-namibia.com/activities-and-places-of-interest/sossusvlei/namib-naukluft-park)
3. Swakopmund: It is where local Namibians go on vacation. Originally a German colonial city, Swakopmund boasts a lot of colourful and historic architecture. It is known as the adventure capital of Namibia. If you visit Swakopmund, you’ll have the chance to go quad biking in the desert, set off on camel safaris, try sandboarding on nearby dunes or just relax on the beach. There are also dozens of great international restaurants and several fantastic bars serving up locally brewed bee.(https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g298357-Swakopmund_Erongo_Region-Vacations.html)
4. Luderitz: One of the most obvious places to notice this influence is in the coastal town of Luderitz. With Art Nouveau architecture and countless German street names, it is easy to feel like you’re in Bavaria rather than Namibia. On a visit to Luderitz, you can spot the Deutsche Africa bank building, old Lutheran churches and the popular Troost House. (https://www.britannica.com/place/Luderitz)
5. Skeleton Coast National Park: The Skeleton Coast got its name from how dangerous it was to sail a ship along the coast in centuries past. To this day, the desolate coastline is still known as the world’s biggest ship graveyard. The Skeleton Coast National Park is mostly uninhabited, with a few sparse villages dotting the landscape.(http://www.info-namibia.com/activities-and-places-of-interest/kaokoveld/skeleton-coast)

References: 

• https://www.britannica.com/place/Namibia
• https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/namibia#:~:text=The%20Caprivi%20Strip%2C%20which%20stretches,at%20Cape%20Cross%20in%201484.
• https://www.travelnewsnamibia.com/uncategorized/san-namibias-earliest-inhabitants/#:~:text=The%20earliest%20known%20inhabitants%20of,belong%20to%20the%20Khoesan%20peoples.
• https://history.state.gov/countries/namibia#:~:text=Namibia’s%20Independence%2C%201990.-,The%20United%20States%20recognized%20Namibia%20on%20March%2021%2C%201990%2C%20when,been%20under%20South%20African%20sovereignty.
• https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13891138