Namibia is bounded on the north by Angola and Zambia, on the east by Botswana, and on the east and south by South Africa. It is for the most part a portion of the high plateau of southern Africa, with a general elevation of from 3,000 to 4,000 ft.
Country lead by President: Hifikepunye Pohamba (2005)
Prime Minister: Nahas Angula (2005)
Population
2,044,147 (growth rate: 0.6%); birth rate: 24.3/1000; infant mortality rate: 48.1/1000; life expectancy: 43.4; density per sq mi: 6
Land Area
318,694 sq mi (825,418 sq km)
Monetary unit
Namibian dollar Language
English 7% (official), Afrikaans is common language of most of the population and of about 60% of the white population, German 32%; indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Ethnicity black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%. Note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Religion Christian 80%–90% (Lutheran at least 50%), indigenous beliefs 10%–20%
Transportation Railways: total: 2,382 km (2002). Highways: total: 66,467 km; paved: 9,172 km; unpaved: 57,285 km (2000). Ports and harbors: Luderitz, Walvis Bay. Airports: 135 (2002).
