Geographic Position
NAMIBIA is situated between the 17. and the 29. degree of latitude, and between the 12. and the 25. degree of longitude, on the south west coast of Africa. The neighbouring states are Angola, Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa, while the Atlantic Ocean forms the natural border to the west. Comprising an area of 824.292 square kilometres and a total population of approximately 2,18 Mio., the country is somewhat sparsely populated, the density of population amounting to 2,6 inhabitants/km².
Since its independence in 1990, the country between the two deserts has had the name NAMIBIA, derived from the NAMIB DESERT which covers the entire coastal stretch of the country. The NAMIB DESERT rises to the large escarpment to the east, marked by ravines and rugged mountain ranges, stretching from the Orange River being the southern border, right down to the SWAKOP RIVER, and thus divides the coastal region from the central highlands, the latter being characterized by wide open spaces, with intermittent eminences and mountain chains of an average height of approximately 1700 metres.
To the east, the mountainous KAOKOVELD and the central highlands gently pass into an extensive plateau, its altitude being 1000 to 1500 metres above sea level, while in the south east the plateau merges into the KALAHARI DESERT with its red sand dunes.
The highest mountain of the country is the Königstein within the Brandberg Massif, having a height of about 2600 metres and being situated approximately 200 kilometres to the north east of the coastal town of SWAKOPMUND. |
WIndhoek
WINDH0EK, Namibia’s capital, has about 300.000 inhabitants, and is located 1650 metres above sea level. For many visitors the city constitutes the gateway to NAMIBIA, but also offers numerous sights which invite travellers to linger a while. Thanks to its locality, i.e. being surrounded by the AUAS MOUNTAINS in the south, the EROS MOUNTAINS in the east, and the KHOMAS HOCHLAND in the west, its climate is a most pleasant one.
Historical Buildings
In Central Windhoek you can today still admire monuments dating from the German colonial era, such as the ALTE FESTE [Old Fort], the oldest building in Windhoek, with the REITERDENKMAL [Rider Memorial], the CHRISTUSKIRCHE [Lutheran Church], the TINTENPALAST [Parliament Building], the STATE HOUSE, the KAISERLICHE REITSCHULE [Imperial Equestrian School], and the OFFIZIERSHAUS [Officers’ Mess].
Close Vicinity
You can explore Windhoek’s environs and visit scenic as well as historical attractions by going for outings to KHOMAS HOCHLAND, DAAN VILJOEN GAME PARK, the LIEBIG HOUSE, or the VON FRANÇOIS FORT.
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