OVERVIEW
Namibia officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in Southern Africa. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean; it shares land borders with Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. Although it does not border Zimbabwe, less than 200 metres (660 feet) of the Zambezi River separates the two countries. Namibia gained independence from South Africa on 21 March 1990, following the Namibian War of Independence. Its capital and largest city is Windhoek. Namibia is a member state of the United Nations (UN), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and the Commonwealth of Nations.
TRAVEL
The international airports are Hosea Kutako International Airport located just outside Windhoek and Walvis Bay International Airport. The Countries main roads between major Towns are sealed tarred roads which are generally in a very good condition. All secondary roads are unpaved gravel roads which are also in a good condition however 4x4 capable vehicles are best suited. Speed limits on tarred roads are 120km/h and 100km/h on unpaved gravel roads.
MEDICAL
Namibia currently has one doctor per 3650 people, and one of the best doctor/patient ratios in Africa. All major centers have state-run hospitals. In Windhoek there are three would-standard privately run hospitals and two state hospitals, each with fully equipped and maintained intensive care units. Qualifications of medical practitioners measure up to world standards. All specialist fields are available in Windhoek, where 90% of emergency cases can be treated. All health care facilities will require upfront payment either by cash or credit card.
CRIME
Most criminal incidents occur in the wealthier urban centres of Walvis Bay, Swakopmund & Windhoek but is not limited to. Most urban crime is opportunistic including the stealing of unattended backpacks, luggage, camera equipment, laptops & mobile phones and wallets. The risk of falling victim increases after dark and particularly foreign visitors travelling by foot. Most large towns have Neighbourhood Watch groups whom assist the Namibian Police Force in combating and reducing crime.
CLIMATE
The coast is cooled by the Benguela Current and averages less than 50 millimetres of rainfall annually. The Central Plateau and the Kalahari have wide diurnal temperature ranges, more than 30 °C on summer days and less than 10 °C in winter. In Windhoek, on the plateau, the average temperature for December is 24 °C, and the average maximum 31 °C. In July these averages are 13 °C and 20 °C, respectively. Humidity is normally low, and rainfall increases from about 250 millimetres on the southern and western parts of the plateau to about 500 millimeters in the north-central part and more than 600 millimeters on the Caprivi Strip and Otavi Mountains. However, rainfall is highly variable, and multiyear droughts are common. In the north and adjacent to mountains, groundwater is as important as, but only slightly less variable than rainfall. Kalahari rainfall in its Namibian portion is not radically different from that of the plateau, but, except in the northern Karstveld and isolated artesian areas, groundwater is less available.
CURRENCY
The currency of Namibia is the Namibian Dollar (N$ or NAD). The Namibia Dollar is fixed to and equals the South African Rand (ZAR). The South African Rand is also a legal tender in Namibia whereas the N$ is not a legal tender in South Africa. 1 N$ = 100 cents. Traveler's checks can be exchanged during normal banking times at any Commercial Bank or at bureau de change office. Usual banking hours are Mon-Fri 09:00 - 15:30 and Sat 09:00 - 12:00.
