Namibia Country & Tourist Information

Location
Southwest Africa.

Area
824,292 sq km (318,261 sq miles).

Population
2.04 million (UN estimate 2006).

Population Density
2.5 per sq km.

Capital
Windhoek.
Population: 223,364 (2001).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from South Africa in 1990. 
Recent history: Hifikepunye Pohamba, representing the ruling Swapo party, won a landslide victory in presidential elections in November 2004 and was inaugurated in March 2005. He promised to pursue the land reforms proposed by his predecessor President Nujoma. The country is currently enjoying slow but steady economic growth, with tourism becoming an increasingly significant source of revenue. The government is taking steps to tackle the onslaught of HIV/AIDS and improve educational opportunities for ordinary Namibians.

Language
English is the official language but is the first language of only 7% of the population. Afrikaans, the lingua franca, is the first language of most of the white population. German, Herero, Kavango, Nama and Ovambo are also spoken.

Religion
Christian (80-90%) and indigenous beliefs (10-20%).

Time
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April).

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50hz. Outlets are of the South African three-pin type (two small round pins over one larger round pin).

Head of Government
Prime Minister Nahas Angula since 2005.

Head of State
President Hifikepunye Pohamba since 2005.

Telephone
Country code: 264.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators. Coverage is limited to urban areas.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Windhoek.

Media
Press freedom is provided for by the constitution and largely respected by the government. Opposition views are broadcast.

Post
Good postal service. Airmail to Europe takes approximately four days to two weeks.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0830-1200.

Press
• Newspapers are printed Monday to Friday.
• English-language dailies include The Namibian.
• Weeklies include the Windhoek Observer.
• Die Republikein is a daily Afrikaans-language newspaper.
• Allgemeine Zeitung is published daily in German.

Radio
• State-run radio is operated by NBC.
• Private music stations include Radio Kudu, Radio 99 and Radio Energy.
• BBC World Service and Voice of America broadcast on short wave.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
21 Mar Independence Day.
6-9 Apr Easter.
1 May May Day/Labor Day.
4 May Cassinga Day.
17 May Ascension.
25 May Africa Day (Anniversary of the OAU’s Foundation).
26 Aug Heroes’ Day.
10 Dec International Human Rights Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Family/Goodwill Day.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
21 Mar Independence Day.
21-24 Mar Easter.
1 May May Day/Labor Day/Ascension.
4 May Cassinga Day.
25 May Africa Day (Anniversary of the OAU’s Foundation).
26 Aug Heroes’ Day.
10 Dec International Human Rights Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Family/Goodwill Day.

Contact Information:

High Commission for the Republic of Namibia in the UK
6 Chandos Street, London W1G 9LU, UK
Tel: (020) 7636 6244.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Namibia Tourism in the UK
Suite 200, Parkway House, Sheen Lane, London SW14 8LS, UK
Tel: (0870) 330 9333.
Website: www.namibiatourism.com.na

Embassy of the Republic of Namibia in the USA
1605 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 986 0540.
Website: www.namibianembassyusa.org


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