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 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.
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%
Government Type: Republic
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.
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.
Joke: Namibia receives approximately 6 inches of rain…
Each drop is six inches apart!
Joke: A Boy Scout, attending the International Scouts Jamboree
is asked a question for his survival badge. "What would you do
if you fell into a river?" The Boy Scout, with a look of complete
conviction on his face replied: "Well, I would get up and dust
myself off"
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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