NAMIBIA
Namibia is in Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa. It is the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip.
The climate is desert; hot, dry with sparse and erratic rainfall. The terrain is mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east. Namibia's natural resources include diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, and fish.
The environmental issues include limited natural freshwater resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas.
The climate is desert; hot, dry with sparse and erratic rainfall. The terrain is mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east. Namibia's natural resources include diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, and fish.
The environmental issues include limited natural freshwater resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas.
Political Background
South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that became Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region.
Namibia has been governed by SWAPO since the country won independence in 1990. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule. POHAMBA was reelected in November 2009.
Namibia has been governed by SWAPO since the country won independence in 1990. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule. POHAMBA was reelected in November 2009.