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Communications

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

National Defense Force (Army), Police

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $64 million, 2.1% of GDP (FY95/96)

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 377,687 males fit for military service: 224,682 (1996 est.)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 4, FM 40, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

195,000 (1992 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire international: NA

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

89,722 (1992 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

Televisions [time series]

27,000 (1993 est.) Defense

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish catch potential of over 1 million metric tons not being fulfilled

Budget [time series]

revenues: $941 million expenditures: $1.05 billion, including capital expenditures of $157 million (FY93/94)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 South African rand (R) = 100 cents

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $NA

Economic overview [time series]

The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for almost 25% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. More than half the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its food.

Electricity [time series]

capacity: 406,000 kW production: 1.29 billion kWh consumption per capita: 658 kWh (1991)

Exchange rates [time series]

South African rand (R) per US$1 - 3.6417 (January 1996), 3.6266 (1995), 3.5490 (1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7653 (1991)

Exports [time series]

$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium, cattle, processed fish, karakul skins partners: Switzerland, South Africa, Germany, UK

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

about $385 million (1994 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $5.8 billion (1994 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Real GDP per capita (GDP per capita) [time series]

$3,600 (1994 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP real growth rate) [time series]

6.6% (1994 est.)

Imports [time series]

$1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment partners: South Africa, Germany, US, Japan

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

10% (1994)

Industries [time series]

meat packing, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

11% (1994)

Labor force [time series]

500,000 by occupation: agriculture 60%, industry and commerce 19%, services 8%, government 7%, mining 6% (1981 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

35% in urban areas (1993 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 825,418 sq km land area: 825,418 sq km comparative area: slightly more than half the size of Alaska

Climate [time series]

desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic

Coastline [time series]

1,572 km

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification natural hazards: prolonged periods of drought international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes

Geographic coordinates [time series]

22 00 S, 17 00 E

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

short section of boundary with Botswana is indefinite; quadripoint with Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; dispute with Botswana over uninhabited Kasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River remained unresolved in December 1995, and the parties agreed to refer the matter to the ICJ

Irrigated land [time series]

40 sq km (1989 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 3,824 km border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 855 km, Zambia 233 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 64% forest and woodland: 22% other: 13%

Location [time series]

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural resources [time series]

diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, fish; suspected deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore

Terrain [time series]

mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

13 regions; Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Caprivi (Liambezi), Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa

Capital [time series]

Windhoek

Constitution [time series]

ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Tuliameni KALOMOH chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state and head of government: President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990) was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999); results - Sam NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote NA cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from the members of National Assembly

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 986-0443

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[264] (61) 229792

Flag [time series]

a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section, and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders

Independence [time series]

21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court

Legal system [time series]

based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral legislature

Country name (Name of country) [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional short form: Namibia

Legislative branch (National Assembly) [time series]

elections last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) SWAPO 53, DTA 15, UDF 2, MAG 1, DCN 1

Legislative branch (National Council) [time series]

elections last held 30 November-3 December 1992 (next to be held by December 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (26 total) SWAPO 19, DTA 6, UDF 1

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

Political parties (Other political or pressure groups) [time series]

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Sam NUJOMA; SWAPO for Justice, Zacharia NJOMBA; DTA of Namibia (formerly Democratic Turnhalle Alliance) (DTA), Mishake MUYONGO; United Democratic Front (UDF), Justus GAROEB; Federal Convention of Namibia (FCN), Keiphas CONRADIE; Monitor Action Group (MAG), Kosie PRETORIUS; Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP); Southwest African National Union (SWANU), Hitjevi VEII; Democratic Coalition of Namibia (DCN), Moses K. KATJIUONGUA; National Patriotic Front (NPF), Moses K. KATJIUONGUA

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Government type (Type of government) [time series]

republic

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Marshall F. McCALLIE embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., Windhoek mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek telephone: [264] (61) 221601

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 44% (male 370,090; female 362,185) 15-64 years: 52% (male 428,488; female 449,726) 65 years and over: 4% (male 28,599; female 38,155) (July 1996 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

37.29 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate [time series]

7.98 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

black 86%, white 6.6%, mixed 7.4% note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

47.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages [time series]

English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 64.48 years male: 62.85 years female: 66.16 years (1996 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1960 est.) total population: 38% male: 45% female: 31%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population [time series]

1,677,243 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.93% (1996 est.)

Religions [time series]

Christian 80% to 90%, Lutheran 50% at least, other Christian denominations 30%, native religions 10% to 20%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.1 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 108 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 14 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 with paved runways under 914 m: 10 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 17 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 58 (1995 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 54,186 km paved: 4,056 km unpaved: 50,130 km (1987 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

none

Ports [time series]

Luderitz, Walvis Bay

Railways [time series]

total: 2,382 km (1995) narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge; single track