NAMIBIA

Information and maps from the Darling Kindersley World Reference Atlas (30), available from all good bookshops.

Official name: The Republic of Namibia Capital: Windhoek Population: 1.6 million Currency: Namibian dollar Official language: English

Located in southwestern Africa, Namibia is flanked in the west by an arid coastal strip, the Namib Desert. After many years of guerrilla warfare, the country achieved independence from South Africa in 1990. But its economy remains reliant on the expertise of the small white population despite the move away from apartheid, a legacy of previously poor educational standards for blacks. CLIMATE

Namibia has an almost rainless climate. Thick, cold fog regularly shrouds the coast, only clearing when the hot, dry berg wind blows. Average daily temperatures peak at 30 degrees Celsius in December and January and reach a low of 5 degrees Celsius in June and July. COMMUNICATIONS

Large-scale industry in Namibia is well-served by road and rail. Over 250,000 passengers pass through Windhoek International airport annually and plans exist to build a new harbour at Walvis Bay. TOURISM

Over 200,000 visitors travel to Namibia annually, a figure that is growing rapidly. However, plans are afoot to limit this number to 300,000 to preserve Namibia's fragile desert ecology. PEOPLE

Population density: Two people per square kilometre

Urban/rural population split: 28 per cent/72 per cent

Religious persuasion: Ninety per cent of the population are Christian. The largest ethnic group, the Ovambo, lives mostly in the north of the country, many as subsistence farmers. The affluent white minority (seven per cent of the population) are largely Afrikaans-speaking and live in and around Windhoek. Despite these differences, there has been little strife between rival groups since independence in 1990. The constitution supports sexual equality and positive discrimination in favour of women, but few have official jobs or own property. POLITICS

When it gained independence from South Africa in 1990, Namibia switched from a system of apartheid based on 10 separate homelands to a statewide, multi-party democracy. Since then, the Ovambo-supported South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), whose guerrilla wing fought for and won independence, has had control of the National Assembly. Opposition parties claim that SWAPO has been too slow in reducing wealth inequalities and that white landowners are benefiting from the lack of promised land reform. WORLD AFFAIRS

Namibia quickly joined the United Nations (UN), the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the Commonwealth after independence. The dispute over the southern border was settled with South Africa in 1992 and in 1993 South Africa agreed to release control of Walvis Bay, Namibia's only deep-water port. AID

Namibia's aid receipts recently reached $140 million. Most comes from the UN. Education accounts for 31 per cent of aid. DEFENCE

Patrolling fishing stocks that are frequently raided by Spanish and South African trawlers is the main activity of an increasingly limited defence operation. ECONOMICS

GNP: $2.1 billion

GNP per capita: $1,510

Balance of payments: $30 million

Inflation: 11.9 per cent Strengths: Varied mineral resources make Namibia the third wealthiest country in sub-Saharan Africa and its waters encompass one of the world's richest offshore fishing grounds. Walvis Bay has potential as a transit point for landlocked neighbours.

Weaknesses: Almost all Namibia's manufactured goods have to be imported. A lack of skilled labour means only 25 per cent of Namibians participate in the commercial economy. The country is very sensitive to fluctuating mineral prices. RESOURCES

Electricity generation: Hydroelectric power has enormous potential and a new station should ensure self-sufficiency

Oil production: Namibia is not an oil producer and has no refineries

Livestock: Includes sheep, cattle and asses

Mineral reserves: Namibia has the largest uranium mine in the world and is a major lead and cadmium producer. Diamonds are an important source of revenue. ENVIRONMENT

Much of Namibia's fragile ecosystem is protected but illegal poaching and anthrax are threatening the country's elephant population. Government policy is generally sensitive to environmental issues and aims to promote eco-tourism rather than mass market developments. MEDIA

Since 1990 press freedom has been guaranteed under the constitution. But only minor criticism is tolerated in practice. CRIME

About 350 people held by SWAPO before independence are still unaccounted for and crime generally is rising, particularly in urban areas. EDUCATION

Literacy rate: 72 per cent

High illiteracy rates among black adults, a legacy of apartheid, is the education system's main challenge. HEALTH

Doctor/population ratio: 1 per 4,620 people

A new health ministry is trying to balance the white-orientated health service. Most areas lack safe water. WEALTH

Whites still earn, on average, 20 times more than blacks. And returning political exiles often find employment quickly, partly because whites do not like hiring former guerrillas.

WORLD RANKING

Position in World
(191 countries)

Life expectancy 142 Infant mortality 157 GDP per capita 143 Daily calorie intake 65 Literacy 160 Schooling index 152 Educational rank 163 Human dev. index 152

MAP: NAMIBIA