Fact 1: Home to the World's Oldest Desert
Namibia is home to the Namib Desert, considered the world's oldest desert, in existence for at least 55 million years. This vast expanse of sand stretches over 81,000 square kilometers and is known for its spectacular dunes, some of which reach up to unbelievable heights of 300 meters, making them some of the tallest in the world.
Fact 2: Visiting the Skeleton Coast
Namibia's chillingly named Skeleton Coast can be uniquely adventurous. Its name comes from the numerous shipwrecks that litter its foggy shoreline, most of which to this day have yet to be explored. With its deadly underwater rocks and treacherous currents, the Skeleton Coast has become nature's high-security vault, harboring secret stories of seafaring disasters.
Fact 3: A Plethora of Wildlife
Namibia boasts a much higher diversity of species than many African countries. It is home to the largest population of cheetahs in the world, the most substantial free-roaming population of black rhinos globally, and one of only two populations of desert elephants.
Fact 4: Home to Tribes with Unique Languages
Namibia is home to the Damara, San, and Ovambo tribes. The San people, often referred to as Bushmen, communicate using a unique "click" language, which includes four distinct types of clicks. The Damara and the San are two of only five groups of people in the world who use this type of language.
Fact 5: The Haunting Beauty of Deadvlei
One of Namibia's most iconic locations, Deadvlei, is a starkly beautiful white claypan contrasted with the dark, dead Camelthorn trees that haven't decomposed due to the dry climate. The eerie scene looks like something from a Tim Burton movie and leaves an indelible impression on any visitor.
Fact 6: The Second Least Populous Country in the World
Despite being the 34th largest country in size, Namibia is second only to Mongolia in its low population density. It boasts a population of roughly 2.5 million people, resulting in an average of only three people per square kilometer.
Fact 7: The German Influence
Namibia was a German colony for 31 years, from 1884 to 1915, and the influence remains evident in the buildings, streets, and towns with German names, and the widespread use of the German language. The country even celebrates Oktoberfest, complete with traditional cuisine and music.
Fact 8: The Caprivi Strip Confusion
Namibia's northeastern appendage, the Caprivi Strip, has sparked confusion among many geographically-inclined folks. This narrow strip of land was named after German Chancellor Leo von Caprivi. The anomaly was created because von Caprivi needed a route from Germany's African colonies to the Zambezi River to gain access to the Indian Ocean.
Fact 9: Namibia's 'Moon Landscape'
The Moonscape, just east of Swakopmund, is one of Namibia's most unusual and intriguing landscapes. Over millions of years, the Swakop River has carved deep valleys into the granite, creating a barren, moon-like landscape that's a must-see for adventurous souls.
Fact 10: The Birth of Sandboarding
The combination of high sand dunes and dry weather conditions have made Namibia the birthplace of sandboarding, a popular adventure sport akin to snowboarding, but on sand instead of snow. Swakopmund is widely regarded as the capital of sandboarding in Africa.
Fact 11: Famed for Its Diamonds
In the early 20th century, Namibia was known as the world's richest source of diamonds, with the precious gems literally lying on the surface, leading to a diamond rush that lasted decades. Today, Namibian diamonds are still highly sought after for their quality and size, and mining activities continue both on land and at sea.
Fact 12: Land of a Thousand Welwitschia
Namibia hosts a unique plant species, the Welwitschia Mirabilis. This bizarre plant, also known as a "living fossil," can live up to 2000 years, and it only grows two leaves throughout its entire lifespan.
Fact 13: Unique Rock Art
Namibia is home to one of Africa's largest and most significant collections of rock art. The most famous of these is the White Lady painting located at Brandberg Mountain. This complex composition of human and animal figures is thought to be around 2,000 years old.
Fact 14: Providing Safe Passage for Zebras
Namibia boasts the longest zebra migrations in Africa. The Plains Zebras in the country were recently discovered to journey over 500 kilometers, twice a year, between the Chobe River in Namibia and Nxai Pan National Park in Botswana.
Fact 15: Fish River Canyon: Second Largest in the World
Namibia boasts the second-largest canyon globally, the Fish River Canyon. It is outdone in scale only by the iconic Grand Canyon in the United States. An incredible 160 kilometers long, up to 27 km wide, and as much as 550 meters deep, this canyon offers breathtaking vistas and fantastic hiking trails.
Fact 16: Famous for Ghost Towns
Kolmanskop, located in the Namib Desert, is known for being a ghost town. It was once a thriving diamond-mining town, but when the diamond field there was exhausted, the town was abandoned. Today, it is a poignant reminder of the transience of wealth.
Fact 17: The Namibian Dollar Shares a Strange Connection
The Namibian Dollar (N$) is tied to the South African Rand (ZAR). Interestingly, while the Rand is accepted as currency in Namibia, the Namibian Dollar is not accepted in South Africa.
Fact 18: The Magic of Etosha Pan
Etosha Pan, a 130 km long dry lake bed, transforms into a turquoise paradise filled with flamingos and pelicans when filled with water during rainy seasons. It is the largest salt pan in Africa and a significant breeding ground for flamingoes.
Fact 19: The Wild Horses of Namibia
Namibia is home to one of the few and possibly the last, feral horse populations in the world, found around the town of Aus. These desert-adapted horses, known as the Namib Desert Horse, survive in harsh conditions considered unbearable for most animals.
Fact 20: Windhoek: The Cleanest Capital City in Africa
Namibia's capital, Windhoek, is often touted as the cleanest capital city in Africa. The city council implemented strict laws regarding littering, dumping, and general cleanliness, contributing to the pristine condition of the city. It offers an impressive blend of traditional African and German European architectures, adding to the city's unique charm.