Namibia

Republic of Namibia

republicIndependence 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

Namibia as the 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 116 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalWindhoek

Position22 00 S, 17 00 E

Area825,418 sq km

LocationSouthern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa

Populationas each edition published it

1.93 million July 2003 est. · 1.45m in 1990

Population growth% a year

1.49% 2003 est. · 3.46% in 1993

Median ageyears

18.3 years 2002 · 23.1 yrs in 2025

Life expectancyyears at birth

42.77 years 2003 est. · 61.2 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

4.71 children per woman 2003 est. · 6.6 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

68.44 deaths per 1,000 live births 2003 est. · 71 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$6,900 2002 est. · $1,300 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

2.3% 2002 est. · 2% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Independence came in 1990 following multi-party elections and the establishment of a constitution. President NUJOMA is currently serving his third term as president.

Geography

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa

18 fields

Land useshare of 825,418 sq km

arable land 0.99%permanent crops 0%other 99.01% (1998 est.)irrigated 70 sq km (1998 est.)

Area

825,418sq km

water: 0 sq kmland: 825,418 sq kmslightly more than half the size of Alaska

Coastline

1,572km

contiguous zone: 24 NMexclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM

Highest point

2,606m

Konigsteinlowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Land boundaries

3,936km

border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km

Location

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa

Geographic coordinates

22 00 S, 17 00 E

Map references

Africa

Climate

desert;
hot, dry;
rainfall sparse and erratic

Terrain

mostly high plateau;
Namib Desert along coast;
Kalahari Desert in east

Natural resources

diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, hydropower, fish note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore

Natural hazards

prolonged periods of drought

Environment - current issues

very limited natural fresh water resources;
desertification;
wildlife poaching;
land degradation has led to few conservation areas

Environment - international agreements

party to:: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution;
some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip

People

19 fields

Population

1,927,447

growth rate: 1.49% (2003 est.)

Note

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2003 est.)

Birth

34.1Death

19.17Net migration

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2003 est.)42.77

44.27 · 41.22Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)68.44

71.72 · 65.06

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (2003 est.)84%

84.4% · 83.7%Median age years (2002)18.3

17.9 · 18.6

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

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%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

22.5%

(2001 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years:: 42.5% (male 414,559; female 404,346)
15-64 years:: 54% (male 517,469; female 522,549)
65 years and over:: 3.5% (male 30,038; female 38,486) (2003 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population:: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.71 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

230,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

13,000 (2001 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Namibian(s)
adjective:: Namibian

Religions

Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%

Languages

English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama

Government

Republic; President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); Prime Minister Theo-Ben GURIRAB (since 28 August 2002)

18 fields

National Council, 72 seatsone dot, one seat

SWAPO 55COD 7DTA 7UDF 2MAG 1,

Country name

conventional long form:: Republic of Namibia
conventional short form:: Namibia
former:: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa

Government type

republic

Capital

Windhoek

Administrative divisions

13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa

Independence

21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

National holiday

Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

Constitution

ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990

Legal system

based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990)
head of government:: Prime Minister Theo-Ben GURIRAB (since 28 August 2002)
cabinet:: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly
elections:: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)
election results:: Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote - Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA 77%

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:: National Council - elections for regional councils, to determine members of the National Council, held 30 November-1 December 1998 (next to be held by December 2004);
National Assembly - last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held by December 2004)

note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body

election results:: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - SWAPO 21, DTA 4, UDF 1;
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76%, COD 10%, DTA 9%, UDF 3%, MAG 1%, other 1%;
seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 7, DTA 7, UDF 2, MAG 1,

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)

Political parties and leaders

Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA];
Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president];
Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS];
South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA];
United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]

Political pressure groups and leaders

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Leonard Nangolo IIPUMBU
chancery:: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
FAX:: [1] (202) 986-0443
telephone:: [1] (202) 986-0540

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Kevin J. McGUIRE
embassy:: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek
mailing address:: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek
telephone:: [264] (61) 221601
FAX:: [264] (61) 229792

Flag description

a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section;
the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders

Economy

The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export.

38 fields

Real growth rate

2.3%

(2002 est.)industrial production growth: NA%

Inflation, consumer prices

(2001)

Unemployment rate

35%

(1998)

Population below poverty line

50%

(2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2001 est.)

agriculture 11%industry 28%services 61% (2001 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$883 millionExpenditures

$950 million (1998)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

Electricity

Electricity production

26.95 million (2001)Electricity consumption

603.1 million (2001)Electricity imports

578 million (2001)

Economy - overview

The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten.

The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides the great inequality of income distribution;

nearly one-third of Namibians had annual incomes of less than $1400 in constant 1994 dollars, according to a 1993 study. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged to the South African rand. Privatization of several enterprises in coming years may stimulate long-run foreign investment.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $13.15 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $6,900 (2002 est.)

Labor force

725,000 (2000)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 47%, industry 20%, services 33% (1999 est.)

Industries

meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel:: 0%
hydro:: 0%
other:: 0%
nuclear:: 0%

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (37257)

Natural gas - proved reserves

31.15 billion cu m (37257)

Agriculture - products

millet, sorghum, peanuts;
livestock;
fish

Exports

$1.21 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins

Exports - partners

EU 79%, US 4% (2001)

Imports

$1.38 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Imports - partners

US 50%, EU 31% (2001)

Debt - external

$517 million (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

ODA $160 million (2000 est.)

Currency

Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR)

Currency code

NAD; ZAR

Exchange rates

Namibian dollars per US dollar - 10.54 (2002), 8.61 (2001), 6.94 (2000), 6.11 (1999), 5.53 (1998)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

82,000

(2000 est.)

Internet users

(2000)

Fixed lines

110,200

(2000) · country code .na

Telephone system

general assessment:: good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons
domestic:: good urban services;
fair rural service;
microwave radio relay links major towns;
connections to other populated places are by open wire;
100% digital
international:: fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries;
connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa;
satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2002)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001)

Television broadcast stations

8 (plus about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Internet users

45,000 (2002)

Transportation

8 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

over 3,047 m

2,438 to 3,047 m

1,524 to 2,437 m

914 to 1,523 m

under 914 m

Paved 21Unpaved 114

Networkskm

Highways

66,467Railways

2,382

Highways: paved: 9,172 km · unpaved: 57,285 km (2000) · Railways: narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge (2002)

Railways

total:: 2,382 km
narrow gauge:: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge (2002)

Highways

total:: 66,467 km
paved:: 9,172 km
unpaved:: 57,285 km (2000)

Military

National Defense Force (Army, including Air Wing), Police

5 fields

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2.4%

(FY02)

Transnational Issues