Namibia
Background
The Republic of Namibia is a vast, sparsely populated country situated along the south Atlantic coast of Africa. It is the first country in the world that has incorporated the protection of the environment into its constitution.
South Africa occupied the German colony of Süd-West Afrika during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II when it annexed the territory.
In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia. Still, it was not until 1988 that the apartheid regime of South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Independence came in 1990.
Sign in to add your comment.
Shortcuts
Official Name:
Republic of Namibia
short form: Namibia
formerly: German Southwest Africa, South West Africa (SWA)
Capital City: Windhoek (pop. 240 000)
Other Cities: Grootfontein, Katima Mulilo, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Ondangwa, Oranjemund, Oshakati, Otjiwarongo, Swakopmund, Tsumeb, Walvis Bay.
Government:
Type: Republic.
Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate).
Geography:
Location: West Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa.
Terrain: Varies from coastal desert to semiarid mountains and plateau.
Highest point: Konigstein 2 606 m
Climate: mostly hot, varies from hyper-arid and semi-arid to subtropical; cold desert climate in the southwest.
