Ten fun facts about Namibia

Fact 1
The capital of Namibia is Windhoek which means “windy corner” in Afrikaans. Nearly 80% of the country’s terrain consists of deserts.

Fact 2
The official language spoken by about 7% of the population is English though Afrikaans is the common language spoken along with German and other indigenous languages.

Fact 3
The largest ethnic group that makes up 50% of the population is the Ovambo. Christianity is the main religion practiced by nearly 80% (mostly Lutheran).

Fact 4
Namibia has a desert climate that is hot, dry with sparse and erratic rainfall. The hottest months are from December to March and the coolest temperatures are found along the coast.

Fact 5
The official currency is the Namibian Dollar though the South African Rand is also legal tender.

Fact 6
Namibia gained independence on March 21, 1990. The Constitution of Namibia is the first to include a provision for environmental protections.

Fact 7
Dragon’s Breath, located in Hariseb, is the world’s largest underground lake. The Namib Desert is known as the world’s oldest desert.

Fact 8
The largest meteorite shower ever, the Gibeon meteorite shower was discovered in Namibia in 1838.

Fact 9
Namibia has the largest free-roaming cheetah population in the world.

Fact 10
Namibia exports gold, zinc, copper, diamonds, uranium, lead, processed fish, cattle and karakul skins. They import machinery and equipment petroleum products and fuel and chemicals.

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