Namibia
is a country full of contrasts and adventures.
A kaleidoscope of colours, impressions and
surprises awaits visitors to this tranquil country.
:: FACTS AND FIGURES
|
Country: |
Republic of Namibia |
|
Capital: |
Windhoek |
|
GPS Coordinates: |
Windhoek 22°33'55" S, 17°04'19" E. |
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Total Area: |
825,418.00 sq km 318,695.67 sq mi |
|
Population: |
1,771,327 (July 2000 estimate) |
|
Languages: |
English (official language). National
Languages are Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo, Herero,
Damara/Nama, Lozi, Kwangali, and Tswana. |
|
Religions: |
Christian 80% - 90%, Indigenous beliefs
10% - 20% |
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Government Type: |
Republic |
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Currency: |
Namibian Dollar (NAD) N$1 = 100 cents.
The Namibian dollar is currently fixed to and has the same
value as the South African rand (R/ZAR), which is also
legal tender in
Namibia. To convert any currency, please, use our
Currency Converter. |
|
Time: |
GMT+1 from March to September, GMT+2
from October to February. |
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Measures: |
Metric system |
|
Education: |
Cambridge IGCSE/HIGCSE system |
|
Industry: |
Meat packing, fish processing, dairy
products,
mining for diamonds, lead, zinc, copper, uranium, gold,
tungsten, silver, marble, granite, and tin) |
|
Agriculture: |
sorghum, mahango, millet, peanuts,
livestock, and fish. |
|
Exports: |
Diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead,
uranium, gold, lead, tin, beef, and processed fish. |
|
Natural Resources: |
Diamonds, copper, zinc, uranium, gold,
lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, salt, vanadium, natural gas,
hydropower, and fish. |
|
International Membership: |
ACP-EU, ADB, UNCTAD, WTO, NAPU,
World Bank, MIGA, IMF, SACU, COMESA, SADC, OAU, UNO, and The
Commonwealth. |
:: CLIMATE
Namibia is a desert country and the climate is exactly what
you'd expect of it. It gets really hot in January/February,
ranging from 20°C to 35°C with some places nearing 40°C in
summer, especially in the South. Summer evenings are splendid,
but in the desert it can get pretty chilly. Winter days are not
too hot and quite comfortable actually (18°C to 22°C) with the
evenings becoming cold (-1°C to 6°C).
Namibia's rainy season is in summer and usually starts around
January and lasts till about April/May. When it rains Namibian's
are all in a great mood, though we are "children of the sun",
the rains are welcomed and Namibia turns green literally
overnight.:: CRIME AND SAFETY
It is just good sense to be conscious of your possessions and
your safety when travelling. Namibia is not a very dangerous
place but incidents of mugging and robbery do occur. Lock your
doors; don't give criminals any incentives. Walking around in
the centre of towns during the day is pretty safe, but be
cautious at night especially if you are unfamiliar with the
area. Use the radio taxi services when travelling within the
towns at night and avoid the common taxis.
Be cautious of unlicensed newspaper vendors as they are used to
distract your attention while their partners engage in pick
pocketing and bag snatching. Be vigilant when walking around. Do
not go into the township areas without someone who is
trustworthy and knows the area. As a tourist, it's just asking
for trouble.
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