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Namibia

✨ The palace of red sands

Namibia is a country in southwestern Africa, bordered by Angola, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. To the west, it has a long coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Its capital and largest city is Windhoek, located in the central highlands. Covering about 825,600 square kilometres, Namibia is one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Its landscape includes the Namib Desert along the coast, vast plateaus, rocky areas and dry river valleys.

The Namib is one of the world's oldest deserts and contains very little rainfall in many areas. In the east, the Kalahari extends into Namibia with sandy plains and grasslands. The country's highest point is Königstein, at 2,606 metres, in the Brandberg massif. Namibia is home to wildlife adapted to dry environments, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions and several antelope species.

The Etosha National Park is one of the country's best-known protected areas and surrounds a large salt pan that fills with water after exceptional rains. Along the coast, the Benguela Current brings cold, nutrient-rich water that supports productive marine ecosystems. Fishing and mining are important to the economy, with uranium, diamonds and other minerals among the country's resources.

Agriculture is limited by the dry climate but includes livestock farming and some crop production in suitable areas. Namibia has a diverse population and several languages. English is the official language, while Oshiwambo languages, Afrikaans, Khoekhoegowab and German are also spoken. Namibia gained independence from South Africa on 21 March 1990.

💡 Did you know?

Did you know that the Namib Desert is like a great ancestor for the Earth? It is thought to have existed for over 55 million years, making it the oldest desert in the world! Its giant dunes, like the famous 'Dune 45,' change color throughout the day: they turn from pale pink in the early morning to burnt orange when the sun is at its zenith.

Do you know the 'Fairy Circles' of Namibia? These are thousands of small patches of bare earth, perfectly circular, that dot the dry grass plains. For a long time, people believed they were the work of fairies or gods. Today, scientists think it might be the work of termites or a way for plants to organize themselves to better catch water, but it remains one of nature's greatest mysteries!

Namibia has a very mysterious coast called the 'Skeleton Coast.' It is named after the many whales and seals that used to wash up there, but especially because of the hundreds of old shipwrecks that can still be seen on the sand. The fog is so thick and the currents so strong that sailors could not see the coast. Today, it is a magnificent and wild place where the sea roars against the dunes.