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:NAMIBIA FACTFILE:
Capital: Windhoek
Location : Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
Surface Area : 825,418 sq km (water: 0 sq km)
Climate: Desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Population: 1,797,677 (July 2001 est.)
Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans
Religions: Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
Literacy: 38% (male: 45%, female: 31%)
Executive branch: Chief of state: President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990)
Currency: Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR) |
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Attractions
Once a sparsely populated city, Windhoek now has a fast growing population due to a lack of employment in rural areas. Despite the large increase in population over the last few years the city centre is extremely clean, and trouble free. Most visitors find the cleanliness most attractive and un-African like. As can be expected from a capital city, Windhoek is home to many of the best hotels in Namibia, the city also offers several other accommodation establishments ranging from backpackers to up-market guest house. There are German restaurants, one can have German bread and beer and even celebrate the German carnival.
The Germans have left a marked influence in the life and times of Namibia. The Windhoek city centre is characterised by a proliferation of German style buildings, a lasting reminder of Namibia's early colonial history. Buildings such as the Alte Feste (old fort), Christuskirche and Tintenpalast (the parliament buildings) are of particular historical interest. In a typical display of unintentional Namibian irony, the Alte Feste Fort, once the bastion of German colonialism, now houses the National Museum, which has many an exhibit on the freedom struggle and Namibian independence.
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