Resource information
Namibia is a large country in Southern
Africa that borders the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola
to the north and South Africa to the south. With a surface
area of 824,290 square kilometers, it is similar in size to
Mozambique and about half the size of the U.S. state of
Alaska. Namibia has a small population of approximately 2.1
million people. It is also one of the least densely
populated countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, with an average
density of approximately 2.5 people per square kilometer,
compared to 34 people per square kilometer for the region as
a whole. Namibia was the last colonized country in
Sub-Saharan Africa to become independent. After nearly 70
years of South African rule, Namibia gained its independence
on March 21, 1990. Until 1990, Namibia's official
languages were German, Afrikaans, and English. Following
independence, English became the official language, although
it is the first language of only a very small percentage of
Namibians. Oshiwambo dialects are the mother tongue of
approximately half of the population. Namibia, a
lower-middle-income country, has one of the highest levels
of per capita income in Sub-Saharan Africa. Namibia is one
of very few countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that maintains a
social safety net for the elderly, the disabled, orphans and
vulnerable children, and war veterans. It also has a social
security act that provides for maternity leave, sick leave,
and medical benefits. Namibia has one of the most productive
fishing grounds in the world. The fishing industry is an
important source of foreign exchange and a significant
employer. The tourism industry in Namibia is similar in size
to that in Botswana and is the country's third-largest
foreign exchange earner. Namibia is one of the largest
producers of gem quality diamonds in the world. It is
estimated that 98 percent of its mined diamonds are gem
quality. In 2006, almost half of total production was
recovered from offshore sources. Namibia is the driest
country in Sub-Saharan Africa, with deserts occupying much
of the country. It has no perennial rivers or any other
permanent water bodies. Due to the low and erratic rainfall
and scarce ground and surface water, less than five percent
of the country is arable, including through irrigation.
Namibia was the first country in the world to incorporate
environmental protection into its constitution. Nearly six
percent of its land is nationally protected, including large
portions of coastal areas within the Namib Desert.
