Located in the southern portion of the African continent, Namibia is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and borders Angola (to the north), Zambia (to the northeast), Botswana (to the east) and South Africa (to the south and to the east). The country's territory is home to two great deserts: the Namibian Desert and the Kalahari Desert.
In 1990, the nation became independent from South Africa, however, the South African policy of racial segregation, called apartheid, was in force. between 1948 and 1994, social inequalities intensified in Namibia, where the minority of the white population holds most of the wealth nationals.
The country has an underdeveloped economy. It stands out on the world stage for being a major producer of diamonds, an activity that accounts for one fifth of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The nation is also a major uranium producer.
Subsistence agriculture is promoted by half of Namibia's inhabitants. Another activity of fundamental importance for the economy is fishing (responsible for a large part of the country's exports).
The natural beauty has boosted tourism in the country, which has several parks with wild animals, as well as beautiful geographic landscapes.
One of the big problems facing Namibia is the unequal distribution of income. The majority of the population (black) is poor while the minority (white) concentrates most of the wealth.
Illiteracy affects 12% of the inhabitants and the infant mortality rate is 32 deaths per thousand live births.
Namibia Coat of Arms
Namibia Data:
Territorial extension: 824,292 km².
Location: Africa.
Capital: Windhoek.
Climate: arid tropical.
Government: Republic with mixed form of government.
Administrative division: 13 districts.
Languages: English (official), Afrikaans, German, regional languages.
Religions: Christianity 90.9% (Protestant 51.8%, Catholic 16.5%, no affiliation, 9.6%, other 13%), traditional beliefs 6.3%, no religion 1.8%, other 1% .
Population: 2,171,137 inhabitants. (Men: 1,070,348; Women: 1,100,789).
Composition: Ovambos 49%, Horses 9%, Damaras 8%, Hereros 7%, Europeans and South Africans 7%, Eurafricans 20%.
Demographic density: 2.6 inhabitants/km².
Average annual population growth rate: 1.9%.
Population residing in urban areas: 37.38%.
Population residing in rural areas: 62.62%.
Undernourished population: 19%.
Life expectancy at birth: 51.9 years.
Households with access to drinking water: 93%.
Households with access to the health network: 35%.
Human Development Index (HDI): 0.606 (average).
Currency: Namibian Dollar.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): 8.6 billion dollars.
GDP per capita: $1,481.
External relations: World Bank, British Commonwealth, IMF, WTO, UN, SADC, AU.
By Wagner de Cerqueira and Francisco
Graduated in Geography
Brazil School Team
countries - geography - Brazil School
