Terrain
Mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in East
Climate
Desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
People
Nationality: Namibian(s)
Population: 2,198,406 (July 2014 est.) Note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS
Languages: Oshiwambo languages 48.9%, Nama/Damara 11.3%, Afrikaans 10.4% (common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population), Otjiherero languages 8.6%, Kavango languages 8.5%, Caprivi languages 4.8%, English (official) 3.4%, other African languages 2.3%, other 1.7%
Religions
Christian 80% to 90% (at last 50% Lutheran), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
Economy
Namibia’s economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 11.5% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Marine diamond mining is becoming increasingly important as the terrestrial diamond supply has dwindled. Namibia is the world's fourth-largest producer of uranium.
Living Conditions
Living conditions vary widely among Namibians. The average annual salary for whites is $15,000, while the poorest blacks survive on $100 per year. However, some black Namibians count most of their wealth in cattle and are not deeply involved in the modern cash economy. Today, the average Namibian household has five to seven members. One-third of all dwellings have electricity, and slightly fewer have plumbing. Those without plumbing typically have lime-pit outhouses.
Government
Republic
US Military Presence/Support