Namibia: Where desert meets ocean
The Hindu
Discover Namibia, a vast and diverse country with stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, rich culture, and delicious cuisine.
On the southwestern coast of Africa — bordered by Angola, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa and the Atlantic Ocean — lies Nambia. It is one of the least densely populated countries in the world, almost on par with Mongolia. The southern and coastal regions are almost uninhabited. The country gained independence from South Africa in 1990. Its capital and largest city is Windhoek and the currency is the Namibian dollar.
The population of Namibia is young; almost two-fifths of the people are under 15 years. There are about 11 ethnic groups, of which the Owambo people are the largest. Though English is the official language, very few people speak it as their native language. Major languages spoken here include Oshiwambo, Khoekhoe, Afrikaans, Hereo and Kwangali.
The food features a blend of indigenous cooking and colonial influences, especially German. Meat has a large role to play. Some common dishes are Potjiekos (traditional stew cooked outdoors), Biltong (seasoned and air-dried meat), Omagungu (mopane worms), Kapana (grilled meat), oysters, meat skewers, and so on. German sausages such as Landjäger are also popular. Did you know that Giant African bullfrogs and oysters are a delicacy here?
Namibia is home to the largest free-roaming black rhino population in Africa as well as the largest cheetah population in the world. What’s more, a stunning array of desert-adapted animals as well as marine life live in this region. For instance, the elephants here can survive for days without drinking water. Other common animals include the lion, springbok, zebra, wildebeest, oryx, meerkat, ostrich, Cape fur seal, and more. Interestingly, Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its Constitution.