NAMIBIA, AFRICA


Location: Southern Africa, bordering S. Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
Total Area: 825,318 sq. km.
Borders: Angola, Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia
Climate: Desert—hot, dry, with sparse rainfall
Water: 0 sq. km
Terrain: Mostly high plateau, Namib desert along coast and Kalahari Desert in east
Land Use: Arable land: 99%, Permanent crops: 0%, Other: 99.01%
Natural Resources: Diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, hydropower, fish
Irrigated Land: 60 sq. km.
Environmental Issues: Limited natural freshwater resources, desertification, wildlife poaching
GEOGRAPHY
PEOPLE
AND CULTURE
Population: 1,954,033
Age Structure: 0-14 years: 42.4%, 15-64 years: 54%, 65 years and older: 3.5%
Life Expectancy: 42.36 years
Birth Rate: 33.51 births/1,000
Fertility Rate: 4.65 children/woman
Infant Mortality: 72 per 1,000 births
Ethnic Groups: Black: 87.5%, white: 6%, mixed: 6.5%
Languages: Afrikaans: 60%, German: 32%, English: 7%
Indigenous Languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Religions: Christianity: 80-90% (at least 50% Lutheran); indigenous beliefs: 10-20%
HIV/AIDS (adult rate): 1 in 5
People Living With AIDS: 210,000
ECONOMICS
Heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export
Half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture
Industries: Meatpacking, fish processing, dairy, mining
Mining: Diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, uranium, copper
Agriculture: Millet, sorghum, peanuts, livestock, fish
Import about 50% of grain/cereal requirement
Labor force by occupation: agriculture: 47%, services: 33%, industry: 20%
Unemployment: 35%
50% of the population is below poverty, with incomes of less than $1,400 per year
HISTORY
During its first years of occupation, Namibia was a German colony known as South-West Africa.
During WWI, the country was occupied by South Africa and then was taken over by South Africa after WWII.
In 1966, a guerilla group started a war for independence and renamed the area Namibia.
In 1988, South Africa ended its involvement in Namibia.
Independence followed in 1990 with multiparty elections and the establishment of a constitution.
GOVERNMENT
Type: Republic
Capital: Windhoek
Independence: March 21, 1990
Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal
Constitution Ratified: 1990
Executive Branch: Chief of State: President Sam Shafishuna Nujoma, elected by popular vote for a 5 year term
Legislative Branch: Bicameral legislature with cabinet appointed by president from member of national assembly
Judicial Branch: Supreme court, legal system is based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
PROBLEM
Illiteracy:
62% of adult population (over age 15)
55% of males
69% of females

Namibia’s people are striving for a higher literacy rate.
Illiteracy often affects women and poor rural people the most.
Ideas for solution:
Establish adult-literacy tutoring program targeting women
Train adult-literacy leaders
Develop literacy curriculum
Create a Web site to solicit donations for a library
PROJECT
PROJECT BUDGET
An Introduction to Namibia (www.geographia.com/namibia)

CIA World Fact Book: Namibia (www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/wa.html)

Namibia in a Nutshell (www.grnnet.gov.na/Nam_Nutshell/History/History.htm)

Namibia World Desk Reference (www.travel.dk.com/wdr/NA/mNA_Intr.htm)

Peace Corps Countries: Namibia (www.peacecorps.gov/countries/namibia/index.cfm)
SOURCES