Namibia Travel Guide
Namibia Travel Guide
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History and economy
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Namibia Travel Guide

History and economy



NAMIBIA AT A GLANCE


Location Southwest Africa, astride the Tropic of Capricorn and beside the South Atlantic Ocean. Its main borders are with South Africa, Botswana, and Angola, though it also adjoins Zambia.

Size 824,292km2

Climate Subtropical desert climate

Time GMT +2

Electricity 220 volts

Weights and measures Metric

International telephone code +264

Status Republic

GDP $6,600 per capita (2000)

Currency Namibian dollar (N$), equivalent to South African rand. £1 = N$14.00; US$1 = N$8.50, Œ1 = N$9.10 (February 2003)

Population 1,827,000 (2001)

Population growth per year just under 3%

Life expectancy in years at birth 65

Economy Major earners: mining, including uranium, diamonds and other minerals; agriculture; tourism

Capital Windhoek

Main towns Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Lüderitz

Language English (official), Afrikaans, German, several ethnic languages (most in Bantu and Khoisan language groups)

Religion Christianity; traditional beliefs

Flag Diagonal red stripe bordered by narrow white stripes separates two triangles – one green, one blue with a yellow sun motif.

Public holidays New Year's Day (January 1), Independence Day (March 21), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Workers' Day (May 1), Cassinga Day (May 4), Africa Day (May 25), Ascension Day (40 days after Easter Sunday), Heroes' Day (August 26), Human Rights Day (December 10), Christmas Day (December 25), Family Day (December 26)


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