Country Information Namibia

Aside from the long Atlantic coastline to the west, there is not much water to be found in Namibia. Most rivers that flow towards the ocean dry up for part of the year and sometimes do not reach the sea. Important rivers that do flow all year round are the Kunene, along the Angolan border, and the Orange River, which forms the border with South Africa. A tributary of the Orange River, the Nossob, is the most important in the country.

Climate
Namibia has a predominantly desert climate. The entire country is very dry. In the southern coastal regions, no more than 150 millimetres of rain falls per year. Most rain falls between January and April. Because Namibia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, December is the hottest month. On average, it reaches thirty degrees Celsius in the country then, with peaks of 45 degrees Celsius in the Kalahari and Namib deserts. At night, it can also freeze in the desert.
The majority of Namibia has sparse vegetation. Most of the woodland is found in the northeastern Caprivi Strip and along the rivers. In the rest of the country, the vegetation is more akin to a savanna. Yellowish-brown vegetation interspersed with aloes and cacti. Common species include: acacia, oak, euphorbia, grass, nara, palm, quiver tree, and the unique welwitschia.

Animals
In the southern steppes, savannas and semi-deserts live an incredible number of animals. Giraffes, springbok, elephants, lions, zebras and cheetahs can be found here, among others. There are a large number of game parks in Namibia. The Namibian government wants these parks to flow into each other as much as possible, through expansion and wildlife corridors.

Holidays and Sightseeing
Windhoek is the capital and largest city of Namibia, and the gateway to the country. The large triangular shape of the Independence Museum is the newest addition to the Windhoek skyline. The museum and monument are dedicated to Namibia's struggle for independence. It is situated in the historic quarter on Robert Mugabe Avenue. This 40-metre-tall gleaming giant stands in stark contrast to its neighbour, the Alte Feste. This old fort was once the home of the German Schutztruppe.

The Alte Feste was built in 1890 to protect the first settlers in Windhoek. Later, South African troops used the Alte Feste as their headquarters. The Alte Feste now displays historical artefacts and has interesting information about Namibia, from its earliest inhabitants and tribal culture to independence. The National Art Gallery of Namibia is housed in one of the newer buildings on Robert Mugabe Avenue. Its permanent collection showcases historical and contemporary Namibian artworks. The collection includes works by John Muafangejo, Joseph Madisia, Pedro Vorster, Susan Mitchinson and Inatu Indongo. Travelling exhibitions guide visitors through the Namibian art scene.

Etosha National Park is located in northern Namibia and is one of the country's main attractions. The park is centred around a 5,000 km² salt pan. Due to the park's generous size and abundance of animals, Etosha is one of Africa's most popular game parks. The wildlife in Etosha is surprisingly plentiful for a largely arid region. Large antelope such as kudu, eland, and oryx can be seen scattered throughout the park. Even larger mammals like elephants, giraffes, and the endangered black rhino are frequently spotted. Etosha's apex predator is the lion, with leopard and cheetah completing the trio of big cats. Other predators include the hyena and smaller carnivores such as the jackal. North of Etosha lies the traditional land of the Owambo. It is the most densely populated area of the country.

Source: landenweb.nl