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)