Namibia Fast Facts

Namibia Fast Facts

Africa

Namibia is located in southwest Africa, bordering Angola , Botswana and South Africa . Characterized by the Namib desert along the Atlantic coast and a diverse range of wildlife, the country is an attractive travel destination for Africa fans. Numerous national parks and exciting landscapes quickly captivate visitors. See andyeducation for education in Namibia.

Capital City windhoek
Size 824,116 km²
Resident 2,324,388
Official Language English etc
Currency Namibia Dollar
Time Zone UTC+2
Telephone Area Code +264

Fast facts to know

  • Namibia is one of the most beautiful and pleasant travel destinations in Africa.
  • The country is strongly influenced by the German colonial rule.
  • In Namibia there are breathtaking, wide landscapes.
  • 80% of Namibia’s area is desert.
  • At 43 million years old, the Namib Desert is the oldest desert in the world.
  • Namibia is also often referred to as the rainbow state due to its many ethnic groups.
  • The mix of African culture and European influences is unique in the world.
  • Weather and landscape are strongly influenced by the low amounts of precipitation.
  • Namibia is home to the largest cheetah population in the world.
  • 80% of the inhabitants are Christians.
  • A passport valid for at least 6 months is required for entry.
  • Less than 2 million people live on the huge area of ​​over 800,000 km².
  • The careful treatment of nature and the preservation of wildlife are anchored in the constitution.
  • Great value is placed on “gentle” tourism.
  • Traffic drives on the left in Namibia.
  • Many shops close between 1pm and 2pm and are only open until 5pm.
  • With 1.5 million members, the Ovambo are the largest tribe in Namibia.

Exciting cities in Namibia

  • windhoek
  • Swakopmund
  • Luderitz
  • Walvis Bay
  • Keetmanshoop
  • round
  • Opuwo

History of Namibia

  • Settled probably 2000 to 2500 years ago by the immigrated San.
  • Discovered by the Portuguese for Europe in the 15th century.
  • In the 19th century, European settlers began to immigrate – mainly from Portugal, England and the German-speaking area.
  • In 1884/85 almost the entire country came under the rule of the German Reich and became the colony of German South West Africa.
  • Conflicts follow between the representatives of German colonial rule and the Herero.
  • 1904 and 1908 Herero and Nama uprisings lead to the annihilation of tens of thousands of Herero and Nama.
  • Taken by British troops from South Africa during World War I.
  • Subsequently handed over to the administration of the South African Union as a mandate area and occupied by them until 1990.
  • Decades of asymmetric war against domestic and foreign opponents of apartheid and liberation movements in Namibia and Angola.
  • Independent, democratic state since 1990 after more than 100 years of foreign rule.

Climate & travel weather in Namibia

  • High, daily and seasonally fluctuating temperatures.
  • Hardly any precipitation in the west.
  • Namib desert: very warm all year round.
  • Inland highlands: generally wetter, hot summers, mild winters.
  • Caprivi Strip: Periodically humid tropics, hot, humid climate.
  • Main rainy season: December and March.
  • Recommended travel time:
    • April, May and August to October.
    • Wildlife Viewing: June to October.
    • Whale sightings: July and November.

Ideas for trips in Namibia

  • Kolmanskop ghost town.
  • Visit Living Museum.
  • take a boat tour.
  • Go on Big Five Safari.
  • enjoy the starry sky.
  • Find centuries-old desert plant Welwitschia Mirabilis.
  • Vingerklip.
  • Spitzkoppe.
  • go on a desert tour.
  • Duwisib Castle.
  • Sandwich Harbour.
  • Marvel at the Hoba meteorite.
  • Find Bogenfels.
  • Skeleton Coast National Park.

Eating & drinking in Namibia

  • Based on influences from different ethnic groups in the country, South African and German cuisine.
  • Staple cornmeal in the form of pap (“polenta”).
  • Most dishes are based on meat.
  • Popular types of meat: beef, lamb, antelope, zebra, ostrich, crocodile.
  • Liked to eat: biltong (dried meat), droewors (dried sausage), boerewors (farmer’s sausage) and smoked meat (smoked game meat).
  • Vegetarian dishes are not widespread.
  • Fruit and vegetables play no role in large parts of the country.
  • Herbs and spices used liberally.
  • Liked to drink: Rooibos tea.
  • In coastal regions there are many fish restaurants.
  • Water is often contaminated, it is better to only drink it from filled bottles.
  • Good beers due to the German Purity Law.
  • First class South African red and white wines.
  • Typical dishes:
    • Omagungu (fried mopane caterpillars).
    • Oshiwambo chicken.
    • Bobotjie (stew with lots of meat, millet, potatoes, root vegetables).
    • Omajova (mushrooms that grow on termite mounds during the rainy season).

Particularly scenic

  • Etosha National Park
  • Namib-Naukluft National Park
  • Mudumu National Park
  • Khaudum National Park
  • Twyfelfontein Valley
  • Sossusvlei and Deadvlei dune landscape
  • Camel thorn trees in Deadvlei
  • Fish River Canyon (second largest canyon in the world)
  • Ruacana and Epupa Falls
  • Kalahari desert

Namibia Fast Facts