Useful information for tourists about Namibia, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information on the population, the currency of Namibia, the kitchen, the features of visa and customs restrictions of Namibia.
Geography of Namibia
Namibia is a state in the south-west of Africa. In the north, it borders with Angola and Zambia, in the East - with Botswana, in the south-east and south - from South Africa. From the west is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
The main part of Namibia is the hill occupying the center of the country. There is the highest point (Mount Königstein (Brandberg), 2 606 m). From the West, the central plateau is limited to the desert Namib, which goes to the Atlantic Ocean, from the south - the Orange River, from the east - 20 m and 21 m degree of Eastern longitude and the desert Kalahari. The band of the capari and the extreme north of the country are busy jungle.
State
State device
Namibia is a republic. Head of State - President. Legislative Power - Double Parliament: National Council and National Assembly.
Language
State language: English, Afrikaans
80% of the African Namibians speak in the Booth languages. Of these, Ovambo languages \u200b\u200bare most common (it is said 70% of the entire bunchy-speaking population), Herero (9%) and Loi (6%). In the southern regions are spread by the language of Afrikaans.
Religion
Christians make up about 90% of the population (most of the Protestants (mostly Lutherans), Catholics - 14% of the inhabitants), 10% adhere to traditional African beliefs (animalism, fetishism, the cult of ancestors, keepers of the home hearth, the forces of nature, etc.).
Currency
International title: NAD
Namibian dollar is equal to 100 cents. In circulation of bills in dignity 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 N $, coins of dignity 1 (comes out of circulation), 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, as well as 1, 2 and 5 n $.
Currency exchange can be made in international airport exchange offices, as well as in banks and their branches, almost throughout the country. The reverse exchange of Namibian dollars on a solid currency is usually not produced.
Credit cards, as well as travel checks, are accepted for payment in most large hotels, shops, restaurants and gas stations. You can also get cash through an ATM system belonging to First National Bank ("BOB"). One-time removal of money is limited to 1000 N $.
You can cash in bank offices in banking offices, but the US dollars may not be in cash, so such operations should be carried out on a preliminary call to the bank. Preference is given to checks in US dollars and Randa South Africa.
Popular attractions
Tourism in Namibia
Work hours of institutions
Banks work from 9.00-10.00 to 15.30-16.00 from Monday to Friday, on Saturday - from 8.30 to 11.00.
Purchases
Shops are open from Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 17.00 or 17.30, on Saturday from 8.00 to 13.00, on Sunday, most stores do not work. Grocery stores work all week from 8.00 to 19.30 or 20.00. Stores selling alcoholic beverages work from Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 18.30, on Saturday from 8.00 to 13.00 and closed on Sunday.
Trade, especially in rural areas, is always taken and everywhere, in large stores prices fixed, but often at the end of the day or week there are significant discounts.
Safety
The skeletons shore declared a national park, where it is allowed to enter only on a special pass (about $ 40 per person). Some areas adjacent to the territory of Angola are encouraged to visit only large groups that are necessarily accompanied by an armed conmerid of local security forces.
Emergency phones
Police and salvation service - 10-111.
Ambulance - 211-111 (Windhoek), 405-731 (Swakopmund), 205-443 (Walfish Bay).
NAMIBIA
Republic of Namibia, the state in the south-west of Africa. In the West is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, in the north it borders with Angola and Zambia, in the east - with Botswana, in the south-east and south - from South Africa. In the north-east, the territory of Namibia is inclined between Angola, Botswana and Zambia in the form of a narrow corridor with a length of 483 km and 80 km wide. This is so-called. Capriva strip, giving country to the goblet River Zambezi. Until 1968 was called southwest Africa. In 1884-1915 - German Colonia, from 1915 to the proclamation of independence on March 21, 1990 was under the control of South Africa. Area - 825,112 square meters. km, including the Walfish Bay area of \u200b\u200b1124 square meters. km, which in 1994 was returned to Namibia by the Republic of South Africa. Number of population of Namibia is 1870 thousand people (data 2000). Capital - Windhuk (210 thousand inhabitants).
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NATURE
Coastline with a total length of approx. 1500 km leveled. There are only two comfortable bays - Walfish Bay and Luderitz, although approaches to them are complicated due to strong winds, sea zybi, surf and permanent fogs. In the northern and southern regions, the coast is composed by crubbish-pebble material, and in the central - sandy. In the Walfish Bay area sometimes there is a deaf hum, the water is boil and acquires almost red, and the mass of dead fish is thrown ashore. Above the waves rose a pillar of silent smoke with an admixture of hydrogen sulfide, and in shallow plots, islands are formed from sulfur, which exist for only a few days, and then disappear.
The shores of Namibia often had shipwrecks that was reflected in local toponymics. Especially bad glory has a plot north of Cape Cross, called the shore of skeletons. Here on the reefs are preserved wreckage of sunken ships and the elevated human skeletons.
Along the coast, the Namib desert pulled out, reaching width from 50 to 130 km and occupying OK. 20% of the country's territory. The wind moves the coastal sands from the south to the north and forms white-yellow dunes up to 40 m high. Behind the coastal dunes the chain of long narrow lagoons extends. Solonechard deposits of a rounded or oval form are also found here.
With the removal from the shore, the dunes is gradually moving into red due to an increase in iron oxides. This feature is a good guideline for pilots. Dunes in the inner areas of the Namib desert rise to 300 m and are the highest in the world.
In the east, the surface of Namiba steps rises to a large ledge. There are numerous remains and mountains in places here. One of them Mount Brandberg (2579 m), composed of granites, is the highest point of the country. It is surrounded by lower mountains that were called "twelve apostles". In the caves and on the slopes of Brandberg, the rock paintings of primitive people are preserved.
A large ledge serves as the western border of a plateau, folded by crystalline rocks, mainly by granites and gneises, which are blocked by quartzites, sandstones and limestones. The hollow plateore is reduced deep into the mainland and disseminated on separate arrays (koko, ovambo, damar, nama, etc.) with tectonic depressions. The largest of them - Calahari - is at an altitude of approx. 900 m. Over U.M. It is made with red and white sands, crumbling crystalline foundation. Sands form dunes up to 100 m tall.
Namibia is rich in minerals. The most important of them are diamonds, uranium, copper, lead, zinc, tin, silver, gold, pyrite, manganese, etc. Losying diamonds are concentrated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, especially on the site from Luderit to the mouth of R.Oranzheva, as well as in the adjacent area shelf. Diamond Copy of Ordj Maut (north of the mouth of R.Oranzheva) is the largest in the world. General reserves of diamonds exceed 35 million carats, 98% of them are high-quality jewelry. In a number of districts (Karibiba, Omaruru, Swakopmund) there are deposits of precious and semi-precious stones - tourmaline, Aquamarina, Agatha, Topaz. In areas of Rehobote and Swakopmund, gold has been found.
In the reserves of Urania Namibia stands at one of the first places in the world. They are estimated at 136 thousand tons. North of Swakopmund is located the largest uranium mine Rossing.
Almost 90% of the explored reserves of non-ferrous metals focused on the northeast of the country (Tsumay, Hrutfontein, Otavi). Local ores differ in high lead, zinc, copper, cadmium and germanium. Here were first found as accompanying minerals Rineriti, Tsumbit and Poletitis, possessing semiconductor properties.
In the Abenaba region, north of Khrutfontein, is one of the world's largest Vanadium ore deposits with reserves of 16 thousand tons. In the area of \u200b\u200bKaribiba and the southern border of the country there are deposits of beryllium and lithium ores, in Caoco iron ores (total reserves of 400 million tons ), and in Clevarongo - manganese (5 million tons).
The climate of Namibia is very dry, tropical. Distinguish Wet Summer (September - March) and Dry Winter. Their alternation is most pronounced in the north-east of the country and the least in the coastal strip, where the entire annual precipitation amount (from 25 to 100 mm) falls over a month, and 50-70% of moisture will immediately evaporate or seeps into the sandy stratum. It is constantly hanging thick cold fogs.
The average temperatures of the warmest month (January) are 18 ° C on the ocean coast and 27 ° C in the inner areas, the coldest month (July) 12 ° C in the south and 16 ° C in the north. The sediments fall predominantly in summer, reaching a maximum in the extreme northeast (500-700 mm). The farther south, the hotter and dry summer and colder winter.
Agriculture largely depends on irrigation. The northern rivers of the pools of Kunene and Zambezi, the system of channels of ovamboret and individual wells, reservoirs in the rivers of temporarily current rivers and reservoirs are of great importance. Water R.Oranzheva is difficult to use, because it flows in the canyon in a depth of 120 m. Shipping on constantly current rivers impede the thresholds, in the mouths and floating clusters of plant residues.
The Kunen River is famous for waterfalls Ruakan, where water is lowered from a height of 70 m, overflowing with all the colors of the rainbow. A large HPP of 320 MW has been built here, but it works for no more than six months a year due to the strength of the river in the summer.
In the north of Namibia, Solonchak Esch Square is OK. 5 thousand square meters. km, the largest in Africa. When its flat bottom, covered with lime-clay crust, is poured with water every few years, a temporary lake is formed to 1.5 m. Here the salt is published here.
The seaside strip of the desert Namib is deprived of vegetation. Only through the valleys of temporary watercourses, xerophytes and succulents (acacia, aloe, mocha, and typical for these places Velvichia, living more than 100 years) grow. Only succulent shrubs and semi-stares grow in the inner districts of the Namib desert, but after rains for a short time the carpet of flowering plants appears. In the direction east, the succulent desert is replaced by cereal-shrub, which is typical for a large ledge and part of the plateau. In the most moisturized places, Damara and Caoco sections of the park savanna with white acacia appear. Park savannahs are also characteristic of the eastern part of the ovambo and the caprive bands. Here, the species composition of the trees is more diverse (acacia, palm trees, baobabs, etc.), and herbs predominate with a height of up to 5 m. A large part of Namibia is occupied by semi-desert and deserted savannah Kalahari.
On the islands and in the bays along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, there are many birds and seals, and coastal waters are rich in fish. In the dunes on the coast there are lizards, snakes, small rodents and insects. From large animals there are hyenas and jackals.
On the Namibian plateore, some types of antelopes (Kudu, Springbok, Duckers) and Zebra are preserved. Night lifestyles are predators (hyenas, jackals), rodents (woody and mountain sony), as well as some exotic insectivative animals (tubing, cereal). The most rich in the fauna of the National Park is the north of the country, where the largest population of lions remained in Africa, as well as very rare mammalian species - black rhino and earthwood. Nature's protection in Namibia is paying much attention, as evidenced by an extensive network of national parks and reserves.
POPULATION
Demography. According to the 1991 census, the population of Namibia was 1.4 million people, and OK. 6% of the population were white, the rest of Africans or people of mixed origin. In the 1990s, the annual growth rates of the population were estimated at approximately 3.2%. In the age structure of the population, the share of young people, about half of the Namibians younger than 18 years old, and 42% under 15 years old. Fertility coefficient - 5.1-5.4. Birth rate is 42 per 1000 inhabitants, and mortality 10.5 per 1000. Infant mortality 57-61 per 1000 newborns. The average life expectancy is 61 years.
According to some information, in 1998 AIDS in Namibia was infected OK. 25% of the adult population of the country (the first AIDS case was registered in 1986). According to 1997, AIDS was the main cause of death (12.4%), from him every fifth child under the age of 13 was died. Diseases such as tuberculosis, children's diarrhea are also common, and in the northern regions - malaria and malnutrition, which often lead to a fatal outcome.
The territorial distribution of the population is extremely uneven, the average population density is OK. 2 people per 1 square. km. The exceptions are some mining and industrial areas of the Ovambo Plato, where it reaches 15-26 people per 1 square meter. km. In the 1990s, from 27% to 38% of Namibians lived in cities and areas adjacent to them. In the 1980s and 1990s, the influx of people in the city consistently increased. After 1990, when Namibia gained independence, due to migrants, the number of urban population increased annually by 5-8%. Especially high migration rates were observed from the northern regions to other parts of the country, primarily in the capital of Windhoek and its suburbs, because it was easier to find a job. The remaining cities of Namibia are small in size and are trading, transport and administrative centers located far from each other.
The main religion in Namibia is Christianity. Christians consider themselves ok. 90% of Namibians. The first place in the number is occupied by Lutherans, then Catholics, supporters of the Netherlands reformed church, Anglican and Methodist churches are coming. Through the Council of Churches Namibia, religion plays an active role in the public life of the country. The activities of religious communities and organizations are most noticeable in such spheres of secular life as helping refugees and drought victims, public education, struggle against the legalization of abortions and investigating accusations of violation of human rights, nominated against the ruling party - People's Organization of South-West Africa (SWAPO) . Most of the population of the agricultural north maintains commitment to local traditional beliefs.
Languages. About 80% of Namibians speak in Languages, 12% - on clicking Koisani languages, the rest are used in the communication of Afrikaans (language of South African settlers) or European languages. On various dialects of the ovambo language, including quite peculiar - quanthali, 70% of the entire bunchy-speaking population say, 9% for Herero, 6% on Lozi. Of the speakers in the languages \u200b\u200bof the Koisan Group, the people of San (Bushmen) deserve mention. Among the population of European origin, German is the most common (it speaks 4%) and to a lesser extent English and Portuguese. According to the 1990 Constitution, the official language became English, although at that time they had no more than 10% of the population.
Speakers on the dialects of the Language of Ovambo Namibians live in the central part of the plateau in the north of the country and in the valley of R.Okavango, where they themselves or their ancestors came back in colonial times in search of work. Hero-language population prevails in the northwestern and central areas of the Plateau. The main ethnic groups speaking in Koisansky languages: San living in semi-desert Calahari, Nama - in the southern part of the Plateau and Mountain Damara - in the upper reaches of the Ugab River and Omarouru. Small bunchy-speaking groups of the population are represented by Subia and Yeen living in the eastern part of the Caprivi strip, TSSvan - near the central section of the border with Botswana and several groups of prosperous and refugees, settled along the border with Angola. In several people have long been found in the south of communities, first of all, the rehobot ("rehobot basal owes", Euro-Gottentotian methots), as well as non-ferrous emigrants from South Africa, the main language is Afrikaans.
POLITICAL SYSTEM
State device. Namibia proclaimed independence in 1990, this event was preceded by 106 years of colonial rule. According to the Constitution, adopted in 1990, the head of state and the executive authority is the president, and the legislative authorities are carried out by two-bearet parliament and regional legislative bodies. The President is elected at the general election for a period of five years. For the presidential post, any citizen of Namibia is older than 35 years old, and any registered political party or a group of voters, even small, can nominate his candidate. For the election, the presidential candidate is needed in the last round of elections to get more than half of the votes; The president may hold his post no more than two deadlines. In order for the first president of Namibia Sam Nuyoma, there were legitimate grounds to run for the third term, in 1998 SWAPO initiated the introduction of an appropriate amendment to the Constitution. Despite the unpopularity of this step, the parliament in which most places belong to the ruling party, readily accepted this amendment.
Parliament consists of the National Assembly (72 deputies elected on party lists on a proportional basis by secret voting by all residents over 18 years old) and the National Council, which each of the thirteen newly created regional councils elects the two representatives. Elections to the National Assembly are held every five years, and the number of deputies from each batch is established in direct dependence on the percentage of the votes received by it. Elections to regional councils are held on single-member districts every six years. Local authorities are elected for a period of five years. In June 1998, the advisory council of the leaders was established.
The president is endowed with the right to appoint ministers, judges, senior judicers, as well as the chairman of the Central Bank, commander of the armed forces, the police chief and the penitentiary system. In addition, he monitors the armed forces, introduces an emergency and martial law, conducts meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers and on the initiative of the government dismisses the National Assembly.
The leader of the national liberation movement, a fighter against apartheid and the founder of the new state by President Sam Nuyoma actually provided additional powers. In 1994, Nyoma was re-elected to the presidential post with the support of more than 74% of voters.
Namibian's judicial system is based on Roman-Dutch law, inherited from the time of control of this territory of South Africa and is enshrined in the Constitution of the country. The justice system includes the Supreme and High Courts, the Courts of Magistrates, the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor's Office. Due to the lack of qualified lawyers, the process of revising the laws of apartheid, continuing and after the declaration of independence, is extremely slow. The government pays great attention to judicial reform, primarily a change in legislation on issues such as racial equality, gender equality and punishment of criminal offenses. The Constitution of Namibia included many fundamental provisions of Bill on Rights (freedom of the press, personal freedoms of citizens and the right to property), as well as the prohibition of the death penalty. The world community highly appreciated the inclusion in the legislation of Namibia such provisions and their implementation in practice.
Political parties. The main political force and the ruling party of Namibia is the People's Organization of South-West Africa (SWAPO), created in 1960. Until 1989, it was banned and persecuted by the apartheid regime. SWAPO professes the orthodox ideology of the African National Liberation. In 1990, its main tasks included a transition to a mixed economy with the predominance of market elements and democratic elections. Nevertheless, SWAPO retains the adherence to the ideas of a strong state and the fair distribution of public goods.
In 1989, SWAPO elections won the absolute majority, having received 57% of voters and 41th place in parliament, and formed the first government of independent Namibia. Swapo enjoys popular support, but its position is especially strong in the cities and in the extreme north of the country, especially in an ovambolent. No chance to achieve at the first elections of the parliamentary majority of two-thirds of votes, SWAPO was forced to make a coalition with other parties to prepare a new constitution and subsequent refinement. This circumstance continued the commitment of the party to find political compromises. In 1989, more than 40 political parties were registered in the country. The logic of the first elections forced most of the parties and political figures to form alliances. The main opposition force, which received 29% of votes and 21 deputy mandates in Parliament, - Democratic Alliance Tournehall (Dat) - a coalition of a dozen parties created on an ethnic basis. In the 1980s, the dates had most places in the transitional government. The remaining 10 seats in parliament were divided among themselves five small batches.
The results of subsequent elections demonstrated the decline in the influence of opposition parties and strengthening the positions of those parties that opposed genuine independence. In the mid-1990s, SvpoPo won the majority of two-thirds of votes in both parliament's chambers, which allowed her to hold a more decisive policy. In an independent period of development of the country, almost all parties have weakened their positions. In addition to the two main parties supported by the majority of the population, six more political parties managed to hold their candidates for parliament deputies. There is a decrease in voter activity, partly due to a large number of non-alternative candidates (40 in the elections to local authorities in 1998) where the position of SWAPO is particularly strong, partly due to the disappointment of the population by the activities of political parties and government. During the regional elections, 1998, many supporters of the dates in Caprivi did not participate in the elections, since there was a tense situation due to separatist sentiment in this region.
In the parliamentary elections, 1994 SWAPO strengthened its position, winning 53 deputy mandates, while dates and other parties lost (compared with 1989) support from part of their voters and received 15 and 4 places, respectively.
Foreign policy. Active diplomatic activity helped Svapo to achieve independence of Namibia. In the new conditions, the country's leadership continues to actively interact in the international arena with old and new allies. In addition to the success in negotiations on the return of Walf Bay, Namibia managed to achieve the elimination of the debt of South Africa and considerable financial and economic assistance from a number of countries. Namibia - UN member, Community, headed by the United Kingdom, South African Development Community (SADC), IMF, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, African Development Bank, South African Customs Union, World Trade Organization. Since 1999, Namibia occupies a member of the Security Council allocated by Africa. The decision of the Namibian government to send to the DRC of several hundred Namibian soldiers to assist President Laurean Cabile cost a state execution of 30 million Namibian dollars and did not meet an understanding of the country itself or abroad.
See further
Republic of Namibia.
The name of the country comes from the desert Namib, which in the Gottant language means "what they bypassed cool".
Capital
Area
Population
1798 thousand people
Namibia - State in the south-west of Africa. In the north borders with Angola and Zambia, in the East - with Botswana and South Africa, in the south - with South Africa. In the West is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Administrative division
The state is divided into 13 districts.
Form of government
Republic.
Head of State
President, elected for a period of 5 years.
Supreme legislative authority
Parliament (two chambers: National Assembly, National Council).
Supreme executive body
Government.
Big cities
Swakompand, Runda, Rehobot.
Official language
Portuguese.
Religion
80% - Christians, pagans.
Ethnic composition
50% - ovambo, 10% - Kawango, 7% - Heero, 7% - Damara.
Currency
Namibian dollar \u003d 100 cents.
Climate
The climate of Namibia is tropical, hot and very dry. The average annual temperature is + 17 ° C on the coast and + 21 ° C in the central part of the country. Rainsets are mainly falling out from October to March: on the ocean coast 10-50 mm per year, in the north-east of 500-700 mm.
Vegetation in the territory of the state shrub, deserted. Often the dunes are covered by scarce grass only after the rains. The landmark of Namibia is Velvichia - a tree with a very thick barrel (up to 1 m in diameter), which rises to a height of 10-15 cm, and a melon of Nara, fruiting 1 time in 10 years.
The animal world of Namibia is very diverse - among his representatives of elephants, rhinos, lions, giraffes, zebras, and bubals. On the coast, a lot of sea birds (cormorants, pelicans, gulls, glasses penguins), as well as seals.
Rivers and lakes
The largest rivers - orange and kune.
sights
In Windhuke - National Museum with a rich collection of exhibits of natural history.
Useful information for tourists
Namibia is called the "fiery country", and it is a real find for photographers. Movement around the country is free, with the exception of private possessions, two diamond-producing districts de Birs (here it is generally strictly forbidden to choose anything from the ground), as well as some reserves. The skeletons shore declared a national park, where it is allowed to enter only on a special pass (about $ 40 per person).
About 1 dollars a day, employees are relying about 1 dollars a day, in restaurants - up to 5% of the invoice amount if the tips are not included in the service cost.
Before visiting Namibia, there are no mandatory vaccinations, with the exception of vaccinations from the yellow fever, if before that you were in the country where this disease is distributed.
Geography of Namibia
Namibia is located in the southwestern part of Africa. The western borders of the country is washes atlantic ocean, from the north Namibia borders with Zambia and Angola, in the south - from South Africa, and in the east, the country is Botswana.
Geographically, Namibia is divided into 5 districts: Central Plateau, Namib Desert, Great Highlands, Kalahari Desert and Bushweld. The highest point of the country is Mount Kenigstein height 2,606 m. The main water artery of Namibia is the orange river.
State Device of Namibia
The country is a presidential democratic republic, where the position of president is elected, and its term of office is 5 years. The country's constitution provides for a clear separation of the branches of power into executive, legislative and judicial. The executive power is represented by the president and the Cabinet of Ministers, the legislative - the two-challenging parliament (People's Assembly and the National Council), and the judiciary - the system of ships.
Weather in Namibia
In Namibia, more than 300 sunny days a year. Winter in the country (from June to August) are dry. One of the rains seasons here comes in summer (from September to November), and the second, stronger, lasts from February to April. Humidity is 600 mm, the country's climate is characterized by drought.
Cold flows of the Atlantic Ocean have a great influence on the climate of the coastal zone, fogs often gather here. In the winter, the sand storms are often taking place in the area and blew dry winds.
The average daily temperature of the central plateau and Kalahari - +30 s °.
In the northern part of the country, floods are often called, they are raining in neighboring Angola, where the flow of water rushes to Namibia.
Namibia
The official language of the country is English. Until 1990, German and Afrikaans were also recognized, which are still widely used by the local population. On Afrikaans they say 60% of the inhabitants, 32% - in German, and in English - only 7%, despite the fact that he is recognized as the only state language.
Religion Namibia
80-90% of the country's population belong to Christian confessions (50% of them Lutheran, 14% - Catholics), 10-20% are followers of local pagan beliefs.
Namibia
Namibian dollar (NAD) is the official currency of the country. 1 nad \u003d 100 cents. In the appeal, coins are advantageous than 5, 10 and 50 cents, as well as 5 dollars. Banknotes Rate 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 dollars.
Currency exchange operations can be made in banks, airports and large hotels. When exchanging, you need to remember that Namibian dollars do not change back. Most large supermarkets, restaurants and hotels accept international bank cards to pay. With the help of ATMs of the First National Bank of Namibia, you can remove the amount of no more than 1000 NAD in one operation. Travel checks cashed, after conclosing a bank.
Customs restrictions
Duty to the country can be imported:
- alcohol (1 l of strong alcohol / 2 l wine)
- tobacco Products (Cigarettes 400 Pcs / Cigars - 50 pcs / Tobacco - 350 g)
- perfumery products (50 ml of spirits / 250 ml. Toilet water).
There is no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency. The only limitations apply to the export of the national currency (up to 50,000 NAD).
In Namibia, it is forbidden to hunt without appropriate permits, the export of diamonds is strictly controlled.
It is forbidden to import weapons and narcotic substances into the country.
Tip
In some restaurants, the countries are already included in the account, if not, the tourist can leave at its discretion to 5% of the account amount. Maid and employees in hotels it is customary to leave 1 dollar. It is forbidden to thank the taper workers of national parks and reserves.
Purchases
Namibia is famous for the world's production of sheep wool products. As souvenirs, travelers acquire eggs here. There are very many street markets in the country, which is accepted to bargain.
The opening hours of stores in Namibia - from 8 am to 6 pm, from Monday to Friday. On weekends they work until lunch. Tourists should be remembered that alcohol in the country is sold only in special stores that are closed on weekends.
Work hours of institutions
Banking institutions of the country are open on weekdays from 9 to 4 pm, banks are open on Saturdays from 8:30 to 11:00.
Safety
Be careful, walking in the cities at night, and do not leave valuable things in love with the machines. Be careful in the territories of Camping and National Parks. The authorities recommend visiting them as part of large groups.
Network voltage:
220V.Country code:
+264Geographical domain name of the first level:
.na.na.Maybe you think that I have dreamed of adventure on endless African expanses? Giraffes and rhinos? Dawns on the coast of the Atlantic or filled with erotic magnetism incendiary dancing by the fire of any local tribes for exotic music drums? So nothing had happened. And the country of Namibia, which in southern Africa appeared in our life completely unexpectedly. And it happened so ...
Everything is bad?
In January, everything was already solved and practically planned - in late April we are going to Nepal! Made final three clicks, and we are happy owners of places in the aircraft Moscow-Bangkok Kathmandu and back. But in one solar March day, we were convinced that our changeable world, alas, a little believed with dreams and plans of people: Thai Airlines National Carrier announced the Cancellation of Thai Airlines announced the cancellation from March 29, 2015 all flights on the route Bangkok - Moscow. Sold tickets were refunded.
Bliiiiiin ... everything was gone! In the first days of April, the money was returned, but what to do with them now? Discount prices passed, the course is completely different ... Bliiiainnn. We are calm, we are calm, we will walk and plant a lawn at the cottage ...
But we were not calm, we worried - plans flew to Tartarara.
In our life, the wind is broken
Then we went on the other side: and how many can you climb on these mountains? Isn't it not bothered? Isn't it time to go, say, on a black continent, where the rivers are such a width, and the mountains are such a embroidery, and even in addition, all sorts of hippos crocodiles? For example, south Africa to Namibia with its huge spaces, amazing wild animals, fantastic landscapes and endless skies? In the afternoon, they are incredibly blue, and at night raise your head, and there ... the abyss, covered with billions of bright and crystal clear stars of the southern hemisphere.
In Namibia, where for hundreds of kilometers of coastal sands, nature has scattered an astronomical number similar to these stars, jewelry diamonds? For the cut, the stones are exported - 1.6 million carats per year - such is the quota, but the country could give them so much that all the shelves of the world would be ridicked by high-quality and well-impaired diamonds. Magic Namibia country! And we went there.
And I will tell about the trip right away: it was cool. It was damn cool! Now, when a few months after returning and impressions were somewhat sat down, everything seems incredible sleep. Revived with a dream. An exciting adventure film in the scenery of the African nature, which we looked for three weeks.
And April 25, in the midst of our exciting journey, we learned that in Nepal there was the first one of the turn of the terrible earthquakes of 2015 with huge human victims ... like this. You think about it, and once again you will be coordinated in felt gratitude to all the Thai gods for financial problems with their air carrier, which forced him to leave the Russian market.
Africa, Namibia and others - what we knew about them
In kindergarten - Thank you, Grandpa Chukovsky! - Basic data on Africa were obtained. That's how shouted in mind - the place is truly a nightmarish. Perhaps, therefore, in school years, we are so happy at school years to become the best friends of African children - helped the poor women than they could. I remember, in our school, even the waste paper in favor of the Negrettim collected.
Objectively speaking, for the upcoming travel of these knowledge about African mainland was not enough. The unknown and fear that is rooted in childhood spurred. And I began vigorously wool forums in search of useful information on the countries of the South Africa - Namibia and its neighbors.
I will say honestly, there were a lot of hazards about the nature and inhabiting the beasts here, and the information in the case - the cat was applied. And what removed from the read, not everything turned out to be appropriate. In the course, we will still talk about it.
Republic of Namibia History
- Preolonional period
. All that was before the arrival of the first Europeans in this country is known badly.
But it is well known that when Europe has been a barbaric, an ancient kingdoms existed in the north of the African continent.
Who will say that there was at that time in Namibia - did there have any foci of civilization or lived on there in harmony with nature primitive tribes? Most likely, of course, the last thing was hunted, the cattle was bred, migrated from place to place, they coexisted peacefully among themselves, they made cruel raids to each other.
The events of this time were forever remained dark at times in Namibian history.
- At the end of the 15th century, the first Europeans appeared in Africa and found a lot of interesting and useful things there. The aliens became more and more. From the coast, they raised the mainland deep into the dregs and to assign territory to themselves.
Colonial period of the history of Namibia Began at the end of the 18th century. This period of time is already well documented. At first, the part of the country was captured by the British, and in 1884 the Germans composed them competed here.
These took control of the central and southern part of the country. But there was no rest in the conquered country of German colonialists. Periodically, there were conflicts with local tribes, then the uprisings among the natives. The excitements are mercilessly suppressed: during the time from 1890 to 1908, the rebuilding tribe Hero was destroyed for two thirds.
The colony of Germany, the country stayed until 1915.
- Since 1915, Namibia has been under the patronage of South Africa And she fought for his independence for a long time.
- Since 1990, it has become an independent and free state. . Manages the Republic of the elected parliament and the president.
Doychland is still Juber Alles?
Germany's occupation period of Germany was like a very small, but even now in Namibia, the echoes of the German heritage are still strong. This is a language that many residents know - 32% of the population! This is a habit of clean, order and accuracy. Even the traditional female clothes of the Herero tribe echoes with those outfits that wearing white Frau hundred years ago. Service level, road quality, too, both in Germany.
And in the towns - buildings in German style, the feeling that you are in the suburb of some Munich, only on the road is likely to see the baboons instead of a walking cat.
And the Germans just love to come here from Fateland, love to spend Christmas holidays here. These guests are big friends of the stomach. They have a tradition - breakfast, then hours in eleven coffee, per hour - lunch, half of the fifth again coffee with a cake, and at seven dinner. Make yourself for the future, we will talk about Namibian food. Although this country is still not for those who regularly eat regularly in life.
Where is Namibia on the map of Africa
Since we remembered school, I will start talking about Namibia as any country in geography lesson: let's see where it is on the map. A huge African continent - his mountains and deserts, steppes and jungle, rivers and waterfalls, elephants and zebras - divided the 54 states among themselves. Each offers limitless and tempting travel opportunities ...
The fantastic country of Namibia is located in the south-west of the continent. Here it is similar to a deep bucket of a conical shape with a long handle. Handle - this strange area of \u200b\u200bthe territory, stretching to the River Zambezi, is called a climb band. An interesting story is connected with him.
History with geography of the German Chancellor
In the 19th century, Count Georg Leo von Kariv de Caprer de Montecucoli lived in Germany - the political opponent of Bismarck, who replaced him as Reichskanzler in 1890. Count Caprivy was removed to unite the two colonies of the German Empire in Africa - today's Namibia and the current Tanzania, and then - Tanganyk. In theory of Chancellor, the implementation of this plan opened Rehih output to the Indian Ocean across the River Zambezi, passing on Tangany.
For this, after tedious negotiations with the British, a territorial exchange was produced. The United Kingdom has departed the island in the North Sea, for him, Germany received a narrow strip of an African land with a length of 450 km and a variable width from 32 to 105 km. Touching with the British, decided on the eastern border of the German colony, spending it on the line on the map. That is why Namibia and Botswana have such unnaturally straight lines of boundaries.
But the German interests were not destined to embody the von Carry, no one. It turned out according to the famous proverb - it was smooth on paper, but forgot about ravines. We will not show your finger, but someone forgotten or elementary was not aware of the idea of \u200b\u200bthe world's greatest Waterfall Victoria in the world. And the fact of its existence, put the fat cross on the imperial dreams of the shipping path to the ocean.
Narrow strip of abundant grace
Be that as it may, the band of Carry is a very remarkable place:
- First, the boundaries of countries are suitable for this narrow strip of Namibian land: Angola, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
- Secondly, this is a completely special area of \u200b\u200bthe country. Namibia is famous for many things, but not by the amount of water and not juicy greens of forests. Capriva is the opposite of the stereotypical desert Namibia: fertile lands, exotic nature, lush forests, four full-water rivers - Okavanngo, Kwando, Chobe and Zambezi, crossing it in different places. Extensive floodplains, fill in the rainy season, and abundance of cane swamps ... Herd elephants, five-meter crocodiles, hippopotamas and other animals, thousands of different types of birds - a real paradise for naturalists and hunters.
What color are rivers
But back to the map. A feature of the country is that only a small part of its state borders takes place according to natural borders, for Namibia, these natural objects are rivers. In the north, Namibian state border with countries is undergoing:
- With Angola - on the rivers Kunen and Okovango.
- With Zambia goes along the River Zambezi.
- With Botswana, this is the River Kvando.
- In the south, the currently famous Orange River serves as a natural border between Namibia and South Africa.
And tell me, friends, do you really not intrigue her name? Orange! Do you think that the water is the color of orange Phanta? And what - because the land in Africa almost everywhere red. Disappoint you. No, the color of water in the orange is the most ordinary.
And the little secret with the name is simple. Opened the river in the 18th century Scot Robert Jacob Gordon - artist, linguist, a naturalist and a serviceable servant who commanded the garrison of the Fort of the Dutch East India company at Cape of Good Hope. He gave an unknown river name in honor of the Dynasty of the Princes Orange, generations of the Rights of the Netherlands. And at the site of the fort now stands Cape Town.
And a little digit:
| Capital | Country Area in km² | Population | Population density people / km² | |
| Namibia | Windhoupse | 825.418 | 2.358.163 | 2,2 |
| Angola. | Luanda | 1.246.700 | 24.383.301 | 14,8 |
| Zambia | Lusaka | 752.614 | 14.222.233 | 17,2 |
| Zimbabwe | Harare | 390.757 | 13.182.908 | 26 |
| Botswana | Gaborone | 581.730 | 2.112.049 | 3,4 |
| South Africa Republic | Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein | 1.219.912 | 48.601.098 | 41,0 |
Square Namibia is equal to the territory of France and England, taken together, and the concentration of the population in the country is very low - only in Mongolia lives fewer people. And people here live not only black, but also a lot of white - the legacy of apartheid and the offspring of those the very colonies.
The Russians are not needed by the Russians.
Well, Tu Namibia - Here it is
Familiar and employees, having heard where we are going, raised your eyebrows and audually rounded their eyes. One of our friends with a straight line of Roman rushed, which thought: "Some kind of g * to the world would not be in a decent country!" But this slaughter remark did not sober us. Sanina Mom, just as much as she calmly treats our trips, and she tried to dissuade us. We were fighting, referring to the experience of compatriots who visited there, in whose reports the thought was stubbornly, that Namibia Country Civilized.
However, even by us, it was somehow believed in it. But the thesis was pure truth. Mysterious Namibia, filled with 100% African exotic, is a European civilian country, quite comfortable and quite comfortable. The level of the resulting comfort is limited only by the financial capabilities of the traveler, and the one that is minimized is quite satisfactory.
But all this became clear after arrival, but for now I was morally preparing for life in Spartan conditions. Having taken their place among the clothes towels and toilet paper. A significant shock was the widespread availability of the latest subject among the accessories of Namibian bathrooms. Everywhere - even in the heart of the desert - light, cold and hot water, amenities. Almost everywhere there is an Internet - it's bad with him only in national parks. What else needs a person to relax on the way!
Towels were not only in camping. But both where we slept in the tent, near each machine place - a small hozblock with a sink, shower and toilet.
The most popular sights of Namibia
Our plans were not affected by their grandeur and originality. We were going to see:
- The capital of the country, a small, pure city, with colonial architecture and wonderful cuisine.
- With her amazing alien landscapes.
- German view, breathe fresh air from the ocean, which, they say, excuses blood.
- Huge - one of the largest national parks of the country.
- Ploy in with its national parks. Hence, if possible, to countries next door.
Every day is not Sunday
What did we stop there? Refresh a memory! Oh yeah, we have already talked a lot about the beautiful country of Namibia ... So ... the incidents are different in the way, sometimes returning from the trip will still think about it or not. I do not know how you, and I think you have to write about everything - bad and good. It's easy and pleasant about to write about the good, but it's bad ... how to start - everything is so stirring again. But - for you, friends!
Today, our conversation will be about the most terrible dream of any tourist. Do you have so much before traveling? Suddenly dreams that one thing was shook in the journey, then the other was stolen? I have so every time before the far dear. You wake up - and you still did not have time to leave anywhere. Here is a joy, the eyes immediately shine, the smile is happy to the ears.
There are crime in any country in the world. Tourists for him lacquer prey. Everywhere they, heart, rob, they have everywhere they steal them, their everywhere fool scammers of all the masters. Here the Europen Travel Monitor magazine compiled a curious plate of leading countries, where a foreigner can rob often and robbing:
| Theft in %% |
Robbery in %% |
|||||
| 1 | Czech Republic | 8,7 | 1 | Hungary | 5,9 | |
| 2 | Gambia | 8,3 | 2 | Poland | 5,3 | |
| 3 | Poland | 7,9 | 3 | South Africa | 5,1 | |
| 4 | India | 6,2 | 4 | Morocco | 3,0 | |
| 5 | Morocco | 6,1 | 5 | Gambia | 2,8 | |
| 6 | Tunisia | 5,1 | 6 | Israel | 2,6 | |
| 7 | Kenya | 4,9 | 7 | Italy | 2,2 | |
| 8 | Italy | 4,1 | 8 | CIS | 4,3 |
Countries where tourists are not threatened by pocket theft, you can recalculate on your fingers, one of these exemplary - Mot on the mustache! - Finland.
Against the background of other Namibia is considered a country quite safe. People there are very pleasant, friendly and smiling. But it is not necessary to relax in the subsidiary and think that the natives are not enough for the aborigines above their curly head. At your experience they were convinced - you can't lose your vigilance! The inventiveness of the Namibian Rogue - can only be envied. And moreover, thorishes, as a rule, remain unpunished, and tourists' vacation is hopelessly spoiled.
How did we do more
We drove and sang songs played by my iPhone. The mood was the most rainbow: Namibia is a country, so country! And everything in it is plenty! And if someone wants to move from our homeland, so the path is only here, well, or in Botswana. To move and own many kilometers of Savannah with their leopards and chepads ...
Windhoek met us the emptiness of the streets and the sun. We stayed at a cozy German hotel with friendly owners. Phone with the company, which was taken to rent a car, agreed to meet. The remaining time decided to devote to the famous local market of folk crafts, and dinner.
All unloaded in a hotel room. Only a backpack took with it, in which a compact raining jacket, documents, reader, a constant road set of a girl and the last hundred dollars dangle. They burned his pocket and in the near future we were going to tease them.
The navigator was laid in the car and began to spill along the narrow streets, making his way to the gallery of folk crafts. Rotate, turn and here we have a gallery and the only one, who remains not occupied, Picking Park. Piglet is completely tiny, front and back of the car. Sanya is nervous, trying to fit carefully, again hesitates, turns out again. Turn the machines to which our maneuvers interfere.
Suddenly some ebony rushes to the car. It begins something maddy yelling, tears the door with the sano side. Sanya pulls the door to himself, the blacks do not let go, shouts and gesticulates, the cars will signal. We do something wrong! I'm scared: Maybe we hooked someone?
Sanya, finally, slams the door, drops back, the car fits into place. Negro has already bothered. We are sitting a minute in silence, coming to yourself from shock. Then I turn back to take a backpack lying behind. And it is not!
Sanya is still all on the nerves. He shouts that I just forgot him! And then we are illuminated that the gorough Aborigine did not just ripped the door. We fly out of the car and rush in the direction of the runaway Negro. Of course, it is not. But there is hope that taking the right one, he threw a backpack into the naval.
I have tears, snot around the face ... I run and run away ... Tomorrow morning we had to fly away. With the thief together our tickets, passports, money, my credit card, driver's license, mobile phone, favorite reader - everything that was in a backpack was disappeared. And there were almost nonsense marvelous earrings purchased in Tae! And my raincoat?
Around me is going to the crowd - it can be seen, good roar. Questions, exclamations, and I can't stop. Sanya is talking to two white Namibians. They cause the police, give their mobile phone so that he can call the Embassy and to Russia - block the card. Do not shine gadas!
Surprisingly responsive people nor did not pass by. Maybe help especially and did not help, but did not pass indifferently. And it was not joining curiosity, but hot sympathy. Parkman came running, said that he noticed how Voruga jumped into a taxi.
Police arrived. It turned out, nothing original happened to us, we fell to the typical reception of the local ogul. One distracts, another of a non-disclocked door drags everything that is bad behind. We were still lucky that it happened on the last day of the trip, but if in the first ...
Embassy Embassy in Windhuke - True Friends of Russian Travelers who fell into trouble. See ourselves: it was Sunday, the evening - almost 5 hours when we called them. They were waiting for us because we wrote a statement at the police station until the Namibians drove us in the photoabeel to be photographed for documents for departure while we went to the hotel for the flash drive with the scans of documents. Two more hours from his weekend, they made us paper. Therefore, from all my heart - Thank you very much, dear compatriots working in the embassy!
Tourist, BDI!
Whoever you are - a tourist or traveler - regardless of your recreation approach, conclusions for everyone will be alone:
- Never put documents and money in one place. Documents, in general, better keep in bags on the body. Be sure to scan them.
- Do not leave the bags in mind or in the back, nor in the front seat. You should not smash the window too. Get out of the car - take everything with you.
- Always whatever a wonderful country is sitting in the car - block the entrance doors! We would have been blocked, then the Negro would have begun. All conversations with passersby - only through a slightly open window.
But, friends, I will say you again: Namibia is a beautiful country. And I will try to convince you with your further stories. Wait, we will continue soon!
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