Namibia Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 26, 2020

Namibia, state of southwestern Africa; 824,000 km², 2.4 million residents (2019).Namibia borders in the east to Botswana, in the south-east and south to South Africa, in the north to Angola and to the west coast to the Atlantic. The narrow Caprivi strip between Angola and Botswana extends Namibia to the Zambezi River and provides a short border to Zambia. The capital is Windhoek (325,800 residents, 2012).

Country facts

Republic of Namibia / Republic of Namibia
Country abbreviation: NA
Area: 824 000 km²
Population (2019): 2.4 million residents
Capital: Windhoek
Main languages: English, (ov) ambo
State: Republic
Head of State and Head of Government: Hage Geingob (President)
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 5,932
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 5,250
Currency unit: 1 Namibian dollar = 100 cents
Currency code: NAD
Country number (telephony): 264
Internet Domain Name: na
Time difference compared to Sweden: 0
National Day: March 21 (Independence Day, 1990)

Nature

Land use: forest (22%), agricultural land (1%), other (77%)
Highest mountain: Brandberg (2,574 meters above sea level)

Population

Population density (2019): 3 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 2.1%; birthrate 29 ‰, death count 8 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (37%), 15-64 (59%), 65- (4%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 60 years, women 66 years
Infant mortality (2019): 34 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 4 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.647 (place 129 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 48%
Most populous city (2012): Windhoek (325,800 residents)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (7%), industry (26%), service (67%)
Exports (2017): US $ 3,995 million
Main export products: diamonds, copper, gold
Main exporting countries: South Africa, Botswana, Switzerland
Imports (2017): US $ 5,384 million
Main import products: food, oil products, machinery
Main importing countries: South Africa
Railway network (2014): 2 600 km

Within the coast of Namibia there is a 70-160 km wide belt, the Namib Desert, which is mostly made up of sandy fields, migratory caves and mountain blots. A staircase steep in the east forms the transition to the central highlands. Closer to the Botswana border, part of Kalahari is spreading. Namibia has a dry tropical climate.

The country’s executive power has the president and the cabinet. The president is elected for a term of five years. The Cabinet consists of the President, the Prime Minister and Ministers appointed by the President from among the members of the National Assembly. Legislative power is exercised by the National Assembly. The term of office is five years. The country became independent in 1990.

Through its colonial history, Namibia’s economy has largely come to have a strong export orientation with a focus on mineral extraction and large-scale agricultural production. Half of the country’s income comes from diamond exports. The country’s economy is strongly linked to South Africa. The private sector is still largely owned by the country’s white minority.