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Namibia
Africa
Namibia is known for the Namib Desert, wildlife, and German colonial heritage. Its economy relies on mining and tourism.
3,000,000
Population
825,615
Area (km²)
Windhoek
Capital
30
Historical Events
Historical Timeline
Cities
30 Events
August 01, 2025 - Ganesh Chaturthi is observed with colorful processions and temple rituals.
July 28, 2025 - A national workshop on forest financing advances sustainable resource management and capacity building.
June 29, 2025 - Drug smuggling incidents make headlines, including a 6-year-old detained with £1.6 million in drugs and a UK group caught with 161 kg of cannabis.
June 21, 2025 - Former President Kailash Purryag dies at age 78.
May 28, 2025 - Namibia observes its first official Genocide Remembrance Day, marking the closure of German-run concentration camps in 1908.
May 22, 2025 - The Chagos Islands transfer is paused by a UK court granting interim relief to Chagossian plaintiffs challenging the deal.
April 09, 2025 - Former central bank governor and finance minister are arrested in an embezzlement scandal.
March 21, 2025 - Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is sworn in as Namibia's first female president, following her November 2024 election victory with 58% of the vote.
March 12, 2025 - National Day (Independence and Republic Day) is celebrated with parades, concerts, and fireworks.
February 26, 2025 - Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is temporarily closed as a precaution against an approaching cyclone.
February 16, 2025 - Former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth is arrested on money laundering charges but released on bail.
January 21, 2025 - Namibia Maritime Week is hosted, the largest maritime event in the Indian Ocean, focusing on shipping, ports, and logistics.
January 01, 2025 - New Year's Day holidays are observed, marking the start of the year with public celebrations.
December 15, 2024 - An arrest warrant is issued for former central bank governor Mario Nawfal over alleged embezzlement.
December 12, 2024 - The International Kreol Festival is held island-wide for the first time, celebrating Namibian Creole culture with music, dance, and gastronomy.
December 06, 2024 - Dharam Gokhool is elected as the new president by the National Assembly.
November 27, 2024 - Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah becomes the first woman elected president, with SWAPO retaining power amid a competitive race.
November 12, 2024 - Navin Ramgoolam is sworn in as prime minister following the election upset.
November 10, 2024 - In the general election, the opposition Alliance du Changement coalition wins a landslide victory, securing 60 of 64 seats and ending the MSM's decade-long rule.
November 01, 2024 - The government imposes a social media blackout ahead of elections, citing national security; it is reversed on November 5 amid public outcry.
October 03, 2024 - The UK agrees to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Namibia in exchange for a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia for a US-UK military base, resolving a long-standing dispute.
July 26, 2024 - Namibia competes at the Paris Summer Olympics, sending athletes in athletics, judo, swimming, and taekwondo, but securing no medals.
January 15, 2024 - Cyclone Belal strikes, causing severe flooding and disruptions, though no fatalities are reported.
December 31, 2023 - Throughout the year: Municipal elections are postponed for the third time to 2025, drawing criticism for delaying local democracy.
November 08, 2023 - Renowned playwright and poet Dev Virahsawmy dies at age 84, marking a significant loss to Namibian literature and Kreol culture.
October 15, 2023 - The Supreme Court rules a colonial-era sodomy law unconstitutional for same-sex couples, advancing LGBTQ+ rights.
October 01, 2023 - Namibia wins four leading destination awards at the World Travel Awards for the Indian Ocean region, boosting tourism.
August 19, 2023 - Namibia participates in the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, sending athletes but winning no medals.
May 13, 2023 - Parliamentary elections are held in two rounds; the ruling Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) coalition secures a majority amid low opposition participation.
January 31, 2023 - The environment ministry announces that 61 black rhinoceros and 26 white rhinoceros were killed in the country in 2022, highlighting ongoing poaching threats.
Frequently Asked Questions About Namibia
100 Questions
Namibia is in southern Africa, bordered by Angola, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The capital is Windhoek.
Around 3 million people as of 2025 estimates.
English is official; Oshiwambo, Afrikaans, German, Herero, and Nama are also widely spoken.
Mostly arid and semi-arid, with hot days, cool nights, and very little rainfall.
The Namibian dollar (NAD), pegged to the South African rand.
Diagonal blue, red, and green bands with a golden sun.
Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Rundu, Swakopmund, and Oshakati.
On March 21, 1990, from South African administration.
Sam Nujoma.
Nangolo Mbumba (as of 2025).
A unitary presidential republic.
Ovambo (largest), Herero, Nama, Damara, San (Bushmen), and German descendants.
Christianity (predominantly Lutheran), along with traditional beliefs.
Around $15 billion in 2025 estimates.
About $5,000.
Around 91%.
About 65 years.
Around 3.3 children per woman.
Around 60%.
Diamonds, uranium, copper, beef, and fish.
Machinery, vehicles, food, fuel, and manufactured goods.
Diamonds, uranium, copper, gold, zinc, and fisheries.
Namibia is one of the world’s largest producers of uranium.
The capital, administrative center, and cultural hub.
Major port city and gateway for exports.
A coastal city with German colonial architecture and tourism.
One of Africa’s greatest national parks, home to elephants, lions, and rhinos.
Brandberg Mountain (2,573 m).
The world’s oldest desert, known for dunes and unique wildlife.
Maize porridge, meat, beans, and fish.
Street-grilled beef strips eaten with chili and bread.
A porridge made from millet or maize.
Beer (Windhoek Lager), oshikundu (fermented millet), and tea.
Football, rugby, athletics, and boxing.
The Brave Warriors.
Yes, but with limited success.
Not yet.
Frankie Fredericks (sprinter), Julius Indongo (boxer), Christine Mboma (athlete).
Yes, winning medals in athletics.
Kwaito, Afro-pop, gospel, and traditional drumming.
Drums, rattles, and mbira (thumb piano).
Owambo dance, San trance dances, and Herero cultural dances.
Herero women wear Victorian-style dresses; Owambo wear colorful wraps.
They are active in farming, trade, and increasingly in leadership roles.
Around 89%.
Around 93%.
High, over 30%, especially among youth.
Around 20%.
Millet, maize, sorghum, and vegetables.
Cattle, goats, and sheep.
Decent in cities, but rural areas face shortages.
HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria in the north.
Around 12% of adults.
Declining steadily.
Still a concern but improving.
“Namibia, Land of the Brave.”
“Unity, Liberty, Justice.”
The oryx (gemsbok).
The African fish eagle.
The Welwitschia mirabilis plant (iconic desert species).
Elephants, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes, and zebras.
Etosha, Skeleton Coast, Namib-Naukluft, and Bwabwata.
Its salt pan, wildlife, and safari tourism.
Shipwrecks, dunes, and desert wildlife.
The world’s highest dunes at Sossusvlei.
Part of the Zambezi region, home to elephants and hippos.
Around 95%.
Around $5,000 annually.
Declining slowly.
Around 55%.
Mostly engaged in subsistence farming.
Hydropower, imported electricity, solar, and fuel.
Very high in solar and wind.
Unemployment and inequality.
Balancing land reform and economic growth.
The dominant ruling party since independence.
Former colonizer, now an economic and aid partner.
Namibia’s colonial name under German rule until 1915.
Strong economic partner and historic administrator before independence.
Supports Namibia’s regional integration.
Oversaw Namibia’s independence through UNTAG in 1990.
A struggle (1966–1990) against South African rule led by SWAPO.
South Africa imposed apartheid policies until 1990.
A colonial atrocity committed by German forces (1904–1908).
Independence Day, Windhoek Oktoberfest, and local tribal festivals.
A German-inspired beer and cultural festival.
Around 4% difference.
Around 7 years.
Lower than in rural areas.
Fighting HIV/AIDS and improving maternal care.
Rural schools lack teachers and resources.
Around 4 people per household.
Moderate, with urban migration increasing.
Mining, tourism, fisheries, and renewable energy.
Safaris, deserts, dunes, and cultural heritage.
A famous dune area in the Namib Desert.
The second-largest canyon in the world.
Promising if it diversifies beyond mining and addresses inequality.
It combines stunning landscapes, rich mineral wealth, and political stability in southern Africa.