CyberProp for Properties in the Namibia

The Republic of Namibia is a vast, sparsely populated country situated along the south Atlantic coast of Africa between 17 and 29 degrees south of the Equator. With its surface area of 824 268 square kilometres, Namibia is the 31 st largest country in the world.

It stretches for about 1 300 km from south to north and varies from 480 to 930 km in width from west to east. Namibia, previously known as South West Africa, is bordered by South Africa in the south, Angola and Zambia in the north and Botswana and Zimbabwe in the east. The oldest desert in the world, the Namib Desert stretches along the whole west coast of the country, while the Kalahari Desert runs along its southeastern border with Botswana.

The country is demarcated into 13 regions, namely the Caprivi, Kavango, Kunene, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana and Oshikoto regions in the north, the Omaheke. Otjozondjupa, Erongo and Khomas Regions in the central areas and the Hardap and Karas regions in the south.

The capital city Windhoek is situated 1 650 meters above sea level in the central highlands of the Khomas region and has an estimated population of 233 529 (2001 Census).

Windhoek is a cosmopolitan city with excellent hotels, restaurants, shops, banks and hospital facilities and houses the three branches of government, namely the executive, legislature and judiciary.

To the west is 1280km (795 miles) of some of the most desolate and lonely coastline in the world. The port of Walvis Bay, situated roughly halfway down Namibia’s coast, was returned by South Africa to Namibian jurisdiction in February 1994.

Namibia’s coast

Along its entire length, the vast shifting sand dunes of the Namib Desert spread inland for 80 to 130km (50 to 80 miles). In the interior, the escarpment of a north–south plateau slopes away to the east and north into the vast interior sand basin of the Kalahari. In the far northwest, the 66,000 sq km (25,500 sq miles) of the Kaokoland mountains run along the coast, while further inland lies the Etosha Pan (a dried-out saline lake), surrounded by grasslands and bush which support a large and varied wildlife. The Etosha National Park & Game Reserve is one of the finest in Africa, in that it remains, to a large extent, free of human influence.

Namibia has about 200 endemic plant species, 4,300 higher plant species and 422 grass species within the 14 vegetation zones, ranging from several variations of desert vegetation to semi-desert, mopane, mountain, thorn bush, highland, dwarf shrub, camel thorn and mixed tree and shrub savannahs and the forest savannahs and woodlands of the north east. A desert plant that has caused much interest amongst botanists worldwide is the living fossil, Welwitschia mirabilis, endemic to the Namib Desert and one of the oldest plants known to man. Lithops also known as Stone Flowers or Bushmens Buttocks are one of the many small succulents that hide in the arid regions, as well as sensitive Lichens.

Namibia with its wide-open spaces and good road network provides for easy self-drive trips, however driving on gravel roads and long distances has had its toll on plenty a visitor, hence see our travel section on safety tips and insure that you require local car rental and tour companies to instruct you well on driving and vehicle recovery.

Cultural tourism is a growing interest in the Namibian travel market. The country boasts diverse populations widely distributed over the country. Every area has a traditional culture and a vibrant history. Though cultural aspects are worked into most packaged safaris, custom-made safaris are widely available and many operators specialize in cultural tours. Namibia has a population of about 1.8 million and a density of about 2 people per 1km². English is the official language.

The indigenous languages are mostly divided into Bantu languages spoken by the Herero, Owambo, Kavango, Caprivians and Tswana, indo-Germanic languages spoken by the Afrikaners, German, English and Khoisan languages spoken by the Bushmen and Damara/Nama. Community based tourism is heavily supported by government and many conservancies offer activities and camping facilities. NACOBTA is a Namibian NGO that supports, develops and markets these operations - inquiries can be made through their office.

Other cultural interest may be found in most towns, as many boast local museums and numerous historical buildings, monuments and sights. Apart from the indigenous cultures Namibia has a kaleidoscope culture to share with the visitor where everyday life consists of a blend between traditional and colonial heritage, easily experienced in the Namibian cuisine and architecture.