Namibia - General Information
Namibia lies in Southern Africa with the South Atlantic ocean to the West and bordering the neighbouring countries of South Africa, Angola, Botswana and Zambia. Windhoek is the capital city, with a population around 330,000 it offers all the amenities of a modern city whilst maintaining cultural vibrancy and colour.
Geography:
With a size of 824,268 sq km, Namibia is slightly more than half the size of Alaska or nearly 4 times the size of the UK. The terrain is mostly high plateau with the Namib Desert running along the West coast and the Kalahari Desert in east. Namibia has a desert climate, it is hot, dry and rainfall is very sparse and erratic. The highest point is mount Konigstein (2579 m), in the Brandberg Mountain range.
Population:
Approx 2.1 million people live in Namibia (2006), it is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world with a population density of just 2.2 people per square kilometre. Life expectancy is around 51 years. Population rate is growing at 2.6% per year over the past 15 years.
Languages:
English is the official language of Namibia, but many other languages are widely spoken. Afrikaans is actually the common language of most of the population, other languages include German, Oshiwambo, Herero, Kavango, SiloziTswana, as well as the Khoisan languages spoken by the San/Bushmen, Nama and Damara
Religion:
Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least) and indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%.
Economic Overview:
The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds.
The country is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten.The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides the great inequality of income distribution.
The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged to the South African rand. Privatization of several enterprises in coming years may stimulate long-run foreign investment. Mining of zinc, copper, and silver and increased fish production led growth in 2003.
General Information on Swakopmund
The Hohenzollernhaus in SwakopmundThe conference venue is a beautiful seaside town on Namibia's west coast is an oasis in the Namib Desert. About 300 km to the east of the capital Windhoek it lays wedged between the massive dunes and the icy Atlantic Ocean. Founded in 1892 by a German ship captain it lies at the mouth of the muddy Swakop River.
Today this picturesque town has been described as more German than Germany itself with historic buildings and colonial relics such as the ‘Alte Kaserne’ (old barracks) or the ‘Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht’ (state house). Besides these witnesses of its German past the seaside resort with its beautiful promenade has added attractions for the more adventurous traveller. The gigantic dunes along the coast present opportunities for some fast and furious fun. The ocean offers its wild life and waves and the blue cloudless skies are perfect for flying of all kinds.
The more culturally inclined can browse the boutiques and book shops. The historic buildings and museums will provide a view into the colonial life of the past and insight into the nature that surrounds the town.
Swakop, as it is affectionately known, is the tourist Mecca of Namibia and will offer days of activities for the children of all ages. But above all, Swakopmund with its mild days, character and coffee shops will provide an ideal get-away for those that need rest, healing of the soul and some excellent German pastries
More information about Swakopmund: