note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)
Currency:
Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR)
Languages:
English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages
Elevation:
highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Natural hazards:
prolonged periods of drought
Climate:
desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Agricultural:
millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish.
Economy:
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 four times the per capita GDP of Africa's poorer countries, the majority of Namibia's people live in pronounced poverty because of large-scale unemployment, the great inequality of income distribution, and the large amount of wealth going to foreigners. The Namibian economy has close links to South Africa. GDP growth in 2000 was led by gains in the diamond and fish sectors. Agreement has been reached on the privatization of several more enterprises in coming years, which should stimulate long-run foreign investment. Growth in 2001 could be 5.5% provided the world economy remains stable.
black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%
note
about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are
Yellow fever:
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas. The countries, or parts of countries, included in the endemic zones in Africa and South America are regarded as infected,
Malaria:
Malaria risk—predominantly due to P. falciparum—exists from November to May/June in the northern regions and in Omaheke and Otjozondjupa and throughout the year along the Kavango and Kunene rivers. Resistance to chloroquine reported.
