The Southern African country Namibia is renowned for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. From towering sand dunes and rugged mountains to deserts plains and canyons, Namibia offers a truly authentic African experience.
Aside from its natural scenery, it is also a country deeply rooted in history and culture thanks to its indigenous people that have preserved their way of life for centuries.
Here are 10 Lesser Known Facts About Namibia
1. The Country Holds One of the World’s Oldest Desert
As you would easily find Namibia is home to one of the world’s oldest deserts. In fact, the country’s name is derived from the Namib Desert which has been around for at least 55 million years according to several research.
The desert covers over 1 million square miles and is considered to be one of the largest deserts in Africa. The desert is exceptionally dry and by many accounts experiences 180 days of fog every year which is caused by the cold air from the offshore Benguela.
2. Namibia is the Least Populated Country in the World with 30 Speaking Languages Spoken across 13 Ethnic Groups
Even though Namibia by land mass can be compared to Germany and France, Its population is in no way close. It is one of the least populated countries in the world with a total of 2.5 million people.
Interestingly the country is home to 13 different ethnic groups including the Ovambo group which makes up nearly half of the population, the Himba tribe which is the most famous ethnic group and the semi-nomadic tribe living in the northeastern part of the country.
Amongst these ethnic groups, 30 languages are spoken and English is the official language.
3. Namibia has some of the Highest Sand Dunes in the World
Namibia’s sand dunes remain one of the highest dunes in the world. The most popular which measures 1256 feet is located 13km from Walvis Bay and it is called Dune 7.
The second sand dune in the country is located in Sossusvlei and it is called the Big Daddy Sand dune. Since it is smaller than the former, many tourists prefer to climb to the top which has also made it the most popular sand dune in the country.
The third sand dune is called Dune 45 and it is said to be one of the most photographed dunes in the world.
4. The World’s Second Largest Canyon is The Fish River Canyon
Call it Namibia’s wonder or a natural wonder. The Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in Africa after the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. It has a total length of 160 km, a width of 27 km, and an estimated depth of 550 m. According to research, it has been in existence for over 5000 million years and was formed through water and wind erosion.
5. Namibia is the First Country in the World to Bring Environmental Protection to Its Constitution
At present, many African countries have incorporated environmental law into their constitution, however, Namibia was the first to do that. Their aim was to ensure adequate protection and survival of the ecosystem and biological diversity.
Following this, over 42% of the country is under this protection and several negative impacts such as hunting and deforestation have been minimized. As such, Namibia is home to many wildlife that would have gone extinct including the black rhino, African elephant, and cheetah. It has also become a tourist center for many foreigners who enjoy the view of free-roaming animals at the Etosha National Park.
6. It Habitates More Cheetah Than any Other African Country
Namibia is easily the only African country with free-roaming cheetahs of approximately 2500 – 3000. While they have declined largely in many countries, they have been conserved for many years in other not to go extinct in Namibia. To catch sight of these fast land mammals, you may have to pay a visit to the Etosha National Park.
Read Also: 10 Best Places To Visit in Namibia
7. It is one of the African Countries With Desert Adapted Elephants
Because of the dry state of Namiba’s desert, many big mammals can rarely survive. However, Namibia’s elephant has somewhat adjusted to the desert that the country boasts of. These desert elephants which are also normal species can survive days without water and walk several kilometers.
8. Nambia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Namibia has been listed as one of the world’s UNESCO sites thanks to its outstanding concentration of rock engravings and arts in the Kunene Rigion called Twefelfontein. This unique carving according to research has been linked to ancient hunter-gatherers and herders who probably conducted a shamanic ritual that required engravings.
9. Namibia Houses The Skeleton Coast
This is one of the mysterious places in Namibia that has snatched the lives of many sailors and animals. It has been given several names such as the ‘Gates of Hell’ and ‘The Land God Created in Anger’.
The coast experiences rough winds and strong ocean currents have caused hundreds of shipwrecks which leave the place littered with animal carcasses and wreaks.
10. It Habours the World’s Largest Underwater Lake
The Dragon’s Breath Cave is the largest underwater lake in Africa and it is located in Namibia. It was discovered in 1986 by Roger Ellis during a caving expedition to the area and is known for the humid air that rises from it; hence its name.
The lake is located around 100 meters (330 ft) below the surface and has a depth of 205 meters (674 ft) which occupies almost 4.9 acres.
it also habitats sea creatures like white shrimps, wormlike creatures, and one of the world’s most isolated fish – the golden catfish.
