Some facts about Namibia

Just some of the things I have learned/been taught in the past few weeks.

Gained independence in 1990.

Main languages: English, Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo and Nama.

Economy made up of mining (25%), tourism (15% GDP), agriculture (5%) but 50% of the population are subsistence farmers., manufacturing (13%).

20% of people live on less than $2 a day.

Religion: 85% Christian, 15% traditional with a tiny minority of Islamists.

Population: 2.6m (34% under 15 years old), 52% live in rural areas, 3.4 births per woman, HIV rate of 14%.

Namibia is home to the world’s largest population of free roaming cheetahs, 2,500+

The country gets its name from the Namib Desert, one of the world’s oldest deserts.

Namibia is the second least densely populated country in the world, behind Mongolia.

The Skeleton Coast is so named in the past for all of the whale and seal skeletons lining the coast. Over 1,000 ships have been wrecked here and is called The Land God Made in Anger by The bushmen and the Gates of Hell by the Potuguese.

Despite its low population, Namibia is still home to 13 different ethnic groups.

It is the first country in the world to incorporate environmental protection into its constitution.

Namibia is only one of two countries in the world that has desert elephants.

Sossusvlei Sand Dunes are some of the highest in the world, some measuring 325m high.

Namibia is home to the world’s largest population of free roaming black rhinos.