Discover Fascinating Namibia Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Namibia.
Namibia
Background
๐ Namibia's journey began when South Africa occupied the region in 1915 during World War I. At that time, it was called German South West Africa. After decades of administration as a mandate, the region saw a brave fight for independence starting in 1966. The South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), a Marxist guerrilla group, fought tirelessly for the rights of the Namibian people. Finally, in 1990, Namibia celebrated its independence! ๐ Since then, SWAPO has been in charge, but the party has shifted away from many of its original Marxist beliefs. It's been quite a remarkable journey for this beautiful nation! ๐ณ๐ฆ
Year of Occupation by South Africa
1915
Year of Independence for Namibia
1990
Year SWAPO's Guerrilla War Started
1966
Exports - commodities
๐ Let's dive into what Namibia exports! ๐ โจ The country is known for its rich resources. Here are some of the exciting commodities Namibia exports:
- Diamonds ๐: A sparkling gem that everyone loves!
- Gold โฑ๏ธ: Shiny and valuable, gold is always in demand.
- Fish ๐: Namibiaโs coast gives us delicious fish to enjoy!
- Radioactive chemicals โข๏ธ: Used in many industries, but need special care.
- Ships ๐ข: Helping with transportation on the high seas!
Each of these commodities plays a special role in Namibia's economy and helps put the country on the global map! ๐
Exports - partners
๐ Namibia trades with many countries, and here's how their exports break down by partner in 2022! ๐ Check out these cool stats!
- South Africa: 28%
- Botswana: 11%
- China: 10%
- Zambia: 5%
- France: 4%
This pie chart below will give you a clear picture of Namibia's export partners and how much each contributes! ๐ฅง
Top Export Partner
South Africa - 28%
Second Largest Export Partner
Botswana - 11%
China's Export Share
10%
Zambia's Export Share
5%
France's Export Share
4%
Namibia's Export Partners in 2022
Capital
๐ The capital of Namibia is Windhoek! This vibrant city is not just the political center of the country but also a hub for culture, history, and economy. With beautiful landscapes and a rich heritage, Windhoek offers a unique blend of modern life and tradition. ๐๏ธโจ
Imports - commodities
๐ Did you know that Namibia imports a variety of important commodities? In 2022, the country was busy bringing in different goods to support its economy. Let's take a look at some of these key imports:
- Refined Petroleum ๐: An essential for transport and energy.
- Ships ๐ข: Helping to boost trade and transportation.
- Copper Ore โ๏ธ: A valuable mineral for various industries.
- Trucks ๐: Necessary for logistics and moving goods.
- Electricity โก: Vital for homes and businesses.
These commodities play a crucial role in the everyday lives of Namibians and the overall economy! ๐๐ก
Imported commodities in 2022
Refined Petroleum, Ships, Copper Ore, Trucks, Electricity
Climate
๐ Namibia is a fascinating country with a unique climate! It's mainly a desert climate, which means it doesn't get much rain. โ๏ธ The weather is hot and dry, with sparse and erratic rainfall. This makes the landscape arid and can be quite challenging for plants and animals. ๐ต
Climate Type
Desert
Weather Description
Hot, dry
Rainfall Characteristics
Sparse and erratic
Executive branch
In Namibia, the Executive branch is currently under the leadership of Acting President Nangolo Mbumba! ๐ณ๐ฆ He has been in his dual role as both chief of state and head of government since February 4, 2024. This means that he plays a significant part in the country's governance and decision-making. Let's see what's happening in the executive branch as it shapes the future of Namibia! ๐๏ธโจ
Acting President since
February 4, 2024
Legislative branch
๐ณ๐ฆ Namibia has a bicameral Parliament, which means it has two houses that work together to make laws! ๐โจ The Parliament is made up of:
- National Council with 42 seats ๐ช
- National Assembly with 104 seats ๐๏ธ
Together, these two bodies play a crucial role in shaping the future of Namibia!
Seats in Namibia's Parliament
Natural resources
Namibia is blessed with a treasure trove of natural resources! ๐๐ Among the rich deposits, we find diamonds, copper, and uranium leading the charge as some of the most valuable minerals. The country also boasts gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, and zinc. ๐ Don't forget about salt, hydropower, and fish, which add to Namibia's diverse economic offerings. ๐๐
Each of these resources plays a crucial role in Namibia's economy, providing jobs and contributing to the country's wealth. Think of all the exciting adventures waiting to uncover the treasures beneath the Namibian soil! ๐
Economic overview
๐ณ๐ฆ Namibia's Economic Snapshot! ๐
Namibia is classified as an upper middle-income country and has a bustling, export-driven economy. This means that the country focuses a lot on selling goods to other countries! ๐ญ๐ฐ
One of the coolest things about Namibia is that it is rich in natural resources! ๐ This includes materials that can be used in many different industries. ๐ฟ
The Walvis Bay port is being expanded! ๐ข This is fantastic for trade and will help Namibia connect to the rest of the world even better.
There's also a lot of potential for renewable energy ๐, which means Namibia could create clean power and become energy-independent. This is super important for a sustainable future! ๐ก
Namibia is known for its stunning landscapes and wildlife, making it a major nature-based tourist destination. ๐ฆ๐ณ People from all around the globe love visiting!
However, the country faces some challenges, including a shortage of skilled labor. ๐งโ๐ญ This means there aren't enough workers with the right skills to do important jobs.
In summary, Namibia is a land of great opportunities and challenges! ๐
Economic Class
Upper middle-income
Type of Economy
Export-driven
Main Economic Resource
Natural resources rich
Tourism Focus
Nature-based
Labor Challenge
Shortage of skilled labor
Government type
๐ณ๐ฆ Namibia operates as a presidential republic! This means that the president is not just a leader but also the head of state and government. In this system, the president helps to make important decisions and guide the country. ๐โจ
Ethnic groups
In Namibia, the rich tapestry of ethnic groups is fascinating! ๐ Hereโs how the population breaks down by ethnicity:
- Ovambo: 50%
- Kavangos: 9%
- Herero: 7%
- Damara: 7%
- Mixed European and African ancestry: 6.5%
- European: 6%
- Nama: 5%
- Caprivian: 4%
- San: 3%
- Baster: 2%
- Tswana: 0.5%
As you can see, the Ovambo group is the largest, making up half of the ethnic composition! Want to see how these groups compare visually? Let's take a look at a pie chart that shows the percentages of each ethnic group in Namibia. ๐ฐ
Largest ethnic group
Ovambo 50%
Smallest ethnic group
Tswana 0.5%
Percentage of mixed ancestry
6.5%
Ethnic Groups in Namibia
Religions
In Namibia, a fascinating piece of information is that 97.5% of the population identifies as Christian! ๐ This makes it the dominant religion in the country. Additionally, there are 0.6% of people practicing other religions, including Islam, Baha'i, Judaism, and Buddhism. ๐ Surprisingly, 1.9% of people in Namibia are unaffiliated with any religion. This shows a diverse but predominantly Christian society!
Percentage of Christians
97.5%
Percentage of Other Religions
0.6%
Percentage of Unaffiliated
1.9%
Religious Distribution in Namibia
Languages
๐ Namibia is a land full of rich cultures and diverse languages! Let's dive into the languages spoken in this beautiful country. Hereโs a fun breakdown:
- Oshiwambo languages: ๐ฃ๏ธ 49.7%
- Nama/Damara: ๐ฃ๏ธ 11%
- Kavango languages: ๐ฃ๏ธ 10.4%
- Afrikaans: ๐ฃ๏ธ 9.4%
- Herero languages: ๐ฃ๏ธ 9.2%
- Zambezi languages: ๐ฃ๏ธ 4.9%
- English (official): ๐๏ธ 2.3%
- Other African languages: ๐ฃ๏ธ 1.5%
- Other European languages: ๐ฃ๏ธ 0.7%
- Other: ๐ 1%
The most spoken language in Namibia is Oshiwambo, with nearly half of the population speaking it! Isnโt that amazing? ๐
Most Spoken Language
Oshiwambo languages at 49.7%
Percentage of English speakers
2.3%
Languages with less than 5% speakers
Zambezi languages, Other African languages, Other European languages, Other
Language Distribution in Namibia
Imports - partners
Namibia relies heavily on imports from various countries! ๐ In 2022, hereโs how its trading partners stacked up:
- South Africa: 41% ๐ฟ๐ฆ
- China: 7% ๐จ๐ณ
- Nigeria: 5% ๐ณ๐ฌ
- India: 4% ๐ฎ๐ณ
- UAE: 4% ๐ฆ๐ช
As you can see, South Africa is the biggest player in Namibia's import game, making up nearly half of its imports! ๐๐ฝ
Total Percentage of Top 5 Partners
61%
Namibia's Import Partners in 2022
Population
๐ Namibia has a total population of 2,803,660 people! That's a big family living in this beautiful country! Each person adds to the rich culture and diversity of Namibia. ๐ณ๐ฆ
Total Population of Namibia
2,803,660
Area
๐ Namibia's Area Overview ๐
Namibia is a big country! It covers a total area of 824,292 square kilometers. Let's break it down:
- Land Area: Most of Namibia, 823,290 square kilometers, is covered by land. That's a whole lot of room for animals, plants, and people!
- Water Area: Just a small part, 1,002 square kilometers, of Namibia is made up of water. Think of all the cool rivers and lakes that fit into that!
Isn't it fascinating how much land and water we can find in Namibia? ๐๐ณ
Total Area
824292 sq km
Land Area
823290 sq km
Water Area
1002 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ฆ Real GDP of Namibia
Namibia's economy has been experiencing some growth! ๐ Let's take a look at the estimated Real GDP (purchasing power parity) over the last few years:
- 2021: $27.288 billion
- 2022: $28.748 billion
- 2023: $29.944 billion
As you can see, Namibia's GDP has steadily increased from 2021 to 2023, showing positive economic progress over the years! ๐
GDP in 2021
27.288 billion USD
GDP in 2022
28.748 billion USD
GDP in 2023
29.944 billion USD
Namibia Real GDP (PPP) Over Time
Real GDP per capita
๐ Let's take a look at Namibia's Real GDP per capita over the last few years! This number tells us how much money, on average, each person would have if the country's total wealth was shared equally.
Here are the estimates for the last three years:
- 2021: $10,800
- 2022: $11,200
- 2023: $11,500
As we can see, the GDP per capita has been growing steadily ๐, which is great news for the country's economy! This could mean better opportunities and living standards for the people of Namibia.
Now, let's visualize this data! ๐
Real GDP per Capita in 2023
$11,500
Real GDP per Capita in 2022
$11,200
Real GDP per Capita in 2021
$10,800
Real GDP per Capita in Namibia (2021-2023)
Imports
๐ Namibia's Imports Over the Past Three Years ๐ข
Namibia has been busy trading with the world! Let's take a look at how much the country imported over the last few years.
- In 2021, Namibia imported $6.467 billion.
- By 2022, this amount grew to $7.423 billion! ๐
- And in 2023, it's estimated that imports will reach $8.281 billion. That's quite an increase! ๐
These numbers show a steady growth in Namibia's imports. More goods mean more opportunities and a thriving economy! ๐๐ต
Estimated Imports in 2023
$8.281 billion
Estimated Imports in 2022
$7.423 billion
Estimated Imports in 2021
$6.467 billion
Namibia's Import Trends (2021-2023)
Exports
๐ Namibia's Exports Over the Years ๐๏ธ
Namibia's export values have shown a tremendous growth trend in recent years! Here's a breakdown of the export values for the past three years:
- 2021: $4.341 billion
- 2022: $5.314 billion
- 2023: $5.641 billion
As you can see, Namibia's exports have increased significantly from 2021 to 2023! ๐ This shows how the country is making strides in its trading efforts, contributing to economic growth and development. Let's visualize this data for a clearer picture!
Export Value in 2023
$5.641 billion
Export Value in 2022
$5.314 billion
Export Value in 2021
$4.341 billion
Namibia's Export Growth (2021 - 2023)
Population growth rate
๐ Did you know that Namibia is experiencing a population growth rate of 1.72% in 2024? This means more people are calling this beautiful country home! ๐ณ๐ฆ The growth rate reflects not just the number of people living in Namibia but also the positive changes in health, education, and wellness that encourage families to grow. ๐
Population Growth Rate for 2024
1.72%