Namibia Geography Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 825,418 sq km land: 825,418 sq km water: 0 sq km AreaÑcomparative: slightly more than half the size of Alaska Land boundaries: total: 3,824 km border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 855 km, Zambia 233 km Coastline: 1,572 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, fish; suspected deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 46% forests and woodland: 22% other: 31% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: prolonged periods of drought EnvironmentÑcurrent issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification EnvironmentÑinternational agreements: party to: 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 People Population: 1,622,328 (July 1998 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (male 362,310; female 354,386) 15-64 years: 52% (male 414,281; female 426,921) 65 years and over: 4% (male 27,001; female 37,429) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.6% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 35.84 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 19.82 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 66.76 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.48 years male: 41.73 years female: 41.24 years (1998 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.99 children born/woman (1998 est.) Nationality: noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian Ethnic groups: black 86%, white 6.6%, mixed 7.4% 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% Religions: Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least, other Christian denominations 30%), native religions 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 Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 38% male: 45% female: 31% (1960 est.) Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional short form: Namibia Data code: WA Government type: republic National 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 NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); noteÑthe president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); noteÑthe president is both the chief of state and head of government 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 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: Sam NUJOMA elected president; percent of voteÑ76% 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 CouncilÑlast held 30 November-3 December 1992 (next to be held by December 1998); National AssemblyÑlast held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: National CouncilÑpercent of vote by partyÑNA; seats by partyÑSWAPO 19, DTA 6, UDF 1; National AssemblyÑpercent of vote by partyÑSWAPO 73.89%, DTA 20.78%, UDF 2.72%, DCN 0.83%, MAG 0.82%; seats by partyÑSWAPO 53, DTA 15, UDF 2, MAG 1, DCN 1 note: the National Council is a purely advisory body Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam NUJOMA]; National Democratic Party for Justice or NDPFJ [Nbhwete NDJOBA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Mishake MUYONGO, president]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; Democratic Coalition of Namibia or DCN [Moses K. KATJIUONGUA] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Veiccoh NGHIWETE chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador George F. WARD, Jr. (24 July 1996) embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., 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 EconomyÑoverview: The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. Half of the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its food. Although per capita GDP is three to six times the per capita GDP of Africa's poorest countries, the majority of Namibia's people live in pronounced poverty because of the great inequality of income distribution and the large amounts going to foreigners. The Namibian economy has close links to South Africa. GDP: purchasing power parityÑ$6.2 billion (1996 est.) GDPÑreal growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) GDPÑper capita: purchasing power parityÑ$3,700 (1996 est.) GDPÑcomposition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 20% services: 65% (1995 est.) Inflation rateÑconsumer price index: 8% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 500,000 by occupation: agriculture 49%, industry and commerce 25%, services 5%, government 18%, mining 3% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% to 40%, including underemployment (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.1 billion expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $193 million (FY96/97 est.) Industries: meat packing, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper) Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1994) ElectricityÑcapacity: 0 kW (1995) ElectricityÑproduction: 0 kWh (1995) note: imports electricity from South Africa ElectricityÑconsumption per capita: 584 kWh (1995) AgricultureÑproducts: millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish Exports: total value: $1.45 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium, cattle, processed fish, karakul skins partners: UK, South Africa, Spain, Japan (1994) Imports: total value: $1.55 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals partners: South Africa 85%, Germany, US, Japan (1994 est.) DebtÑexternal: $315 million (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Namibian dollar (N$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Nambian dollars (N$) per US$1Ñ4.94193 (January 1998), 4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996), 3.62709 (1995), 3.55080 (1994), 3.26774 (1993) Fiscal year: 1 AprilÑ31 March Communications Telephones: 89,722 (1992 est.) Telephone system: domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire international: NA note: a fully automated digital network is to be operational by 1997 Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 40, shortwave 0 Radios: 195,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3 Televisions: 27,000 (1993 est.) Transportation Railways: total: 2,382 km narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge; single track (1995) Highways: total: 64,799 km paved: 7,841 km unpaved: 56,958 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Luderitz, Walvis Bay Merchant marine: none Airports: 135 (1997 est.) AirportsÑwith paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 est.) AirportsÑwith unpaved runways: total: 113 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 70 under 914 m: 21 (1997 est.) Military Military branches: National Defense Force (Army), Police Military manpowerÑavailability: males age 15-49: 369,826 (1998 est.) Military manpowerÑfit for military service: males: 221,624 (1998 est.) Military expendituresÑdollar figure: $64 million (FY95/96) Military expendituresÑpercent of GDP: 2.1% (FY95/96) Transnational Issues DisputesÑinternational: quadripoint with Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; dispute with Botswana over uninhabited Kasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River is presently at the ICJ; at least one other island in Linyanti River is contested