Safe and hospitable, Namibia is a land of mystery and intrigue which captures the imagination with the beauty and diversity of its age-old landscape.
A geologist’s paradise, Namibia is scattered with fossils and unique minerals, giving one the feeling of stepping back in time, to the moment of creation. Namibia was first inhabited by the ancient Khoi-San hunter-gatherer clan, who are the oldest descendants of the first Homo sapiens. Their early lives are forever captured in Africa’s largest collection of rock art paintings in Twyfelfontein. The harshly beautiful terrain has meant that all creations have had to adapt and as a result, the flora and fauna are capable of withstanding harsh and varying climates. The surreal landscape of endless ochre coloured sand dunes which tower over scattered trees and wildlife, contrasted against the crisp blue hues of the South Atlantic Ocean – make this dreamlike country a must on every travelers list; but more recently finding itself on the lists of international traders and investors as a result of stringent growth plans to sustainably utilize its vast resources.
The Republic of Namibia is a southern African country on the South Atlantic Ocean which shares borders with Angola, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. A former colony of both Britain and Germany and later under the control of South Africa, the Namibian War of Independence welcomed an Independent Namibia born on 21 March 1990.
Namibia has relations with many countries as part of its foreign policy as a member state of the UN, SADC, the AU and the Commonwealth of Nations.
The ancient lands are some of the oldest inhabited lands on earth as they were home to tribes of San hunter-gatherers.
Namibia has a population of 2.1-million people and a stable multi-party parliamentary democracy. Agriculture, herding, tourism and the mining industry – including mining for gems, diamonds, uranium, gold, silver, and base metals – form the backbone of Namibia’s economy. It is the second least densely populated country in the world following Mongolia.
Welcome to Namibia
It gives me great pleasure to introduce this beautiful production – Best of Namibia, a magnificent publication which showcases the best in travel, lifestyle and business in Namibia.
Given its geographical location in many respects, especially its transportation infrastructure and integration with regional markets, Namibia is undoubtedly a strategic gateway to the fast developing markets of southern Africa – let alone its political stability, which is the hallmark of its socioeconomic development.
All industry in Namibia has been proudly built with bricks of democracy, and its launch-pad is thus, credited to our policy of inclusivity in ensuring that the functioning mechanisms of democracy remained welloiled – a mantra greatly valued and highly guarded by Namibians and acknowledged by many others.
This first edition of Best of Namibia certainly creates a proud moment for Namibia – to see its successes profiled in a legacy project, as part of the globally renowned Best of series.
We continue to earn our place on this global platform as very few others can boast of the vast natural beauty and resources which Namibia is endowed with and is famous for.
The visual showcase presented here is second only to viewing the real spectacle of the country in person. The stable investment climate is highly favourable, owing to our proud position as a peaceful country.
It is my hope that this publication will give its readers what Namibia and its people have to offer in order to better understand the wide range of opportunities that exist in this land of wide open spaces and contrast – Namibia, the boutique country.
I am therefore, delighted to be associated with Best of Namibia, as this publication is putting our country on show in a way that has never been done before, with each sector being accounted for and the players in each industry captured through moving imagery and their personal story.
I am thus, excited to introduce the first ever compilation of this kind in our country and hope that Best of Namibia will become a good ambassador of Namibia.
Enjoy!
HON. DR HAGE G. GEINGOB,
Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia
Fast Facts
Full Name: Republic of Namibia
Capital: Windhoek
Motto: Unity, Liberty, Justice
National Anthem: Namibia, Land of the Brave
President: Hifikepunye Pohamba
Prime Minister: Dr. Hage Geingob
Area: 825,418km2 (318,696 sq mi)
Regions: Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa.
Population: 2,108,665 (2009 estimate)
Main Language spoken: English
Recognised National Languages: Herero, Rukwangali, Silozi, Setswana, Damara/Nama, Afrikaans, German, Oshiwambo
Main Religions: Christianity 90%, Indigenous 10%
Main exports: Diamonds, uranium, zinc, copper, lead, beef, cattle, fish, karakul pelts, grapes
Natural Resources: Diamonds, uranium, zinc, gold, copper, lead, tin, fluorspar, salt, fisheries, and wildlife
Monetary unit: Namibian Dollar (NAD)
Namibia at a Glance
HISTORY
Although the written history of Namibia is relatively recent, the land itself is steeped in ancient significance. Considering that approximately three-quarters of global human history is unaccounted for, Namibia’s lands have preserved numerous accounts of ancients times – through fossils, the Petrified Forest site, and most notably… Read more…
GOVERNMENT
Namibia is a presidential representative democratic republic, with the president being elected to a five-year term as both the head of state and the head of government. Executive power lies with the Cabinet while the legislative rests with Parliament, which is bicameral, the National Assemblyand the National Council. The judiciary is… Read more…
THE LAND
At 825,418 km2 (318,696 sq mi), Namibia is the world’s thirty-fourth largest country (after Venezuela). It lies mostly between latitudes 17° and 29°S (a small area is north of 17°), and longitudes 11° and 26°E. Read more…
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Namibia has over 300 days of sunshine per year as a result of being situated at the southern edge of the tropics – the Tropic of Capricorn cuts directly through the middle of the country. Winter is from June to August and is mostly dry while the rainy season is in summer (the small rains occur between September and November… Read more…
THE PEOPLE
Namibia is a rich and diverse melting pot of different cultures, which speak of its varying history. The country has the second-lowest population density of any sovereign country, after Mongolia, with the majority being black African – mostly of the Ovambo ethnicity. Ovambo people form about half of the total… Read more…
ECONOMY
The Namibian economy has a modern market sector (which creates the majority of the country’s wealth) as well as a traditional subsistence sector. The economy is closely linked to South Africa’s… Read more…
TOURISM
One of Namibia’s major contributors to GDP is tourism (14.5%) and in turn, it accounts for 18.2% of all employment through serving over one-million tourists a year. As one of Africa’s prime destinations… Read more…
