After a protracted struggle against South African rule, Namibia, a sizable and sparsely populated nation on Africa's southwest coast, achieved independence in 1990. Since then, the country has experienced stability.
In the late 1800s, Germany seized control of what is now known as South West Africa.
Diamonds were discovered in 1908, which led to an influx of Europeans.
It was taken over by South Africa during World War One and is now governed by an order from the League of Nations.
In 1990, Namibians declared their independence following a nearly 25-year bush war. The country's white population was encouraged to stay, and they still play a significant role in farming and other economic sectors.
- Capital:. Windhoek.
- Area:. 825,615 sq km.
- Population:. 2.5% of a billion.
- Languages:. Otjiherero, Khoekhoegowab, Oshiwambo, RuKwangali, Setswana, siLozi,!Kung, Gciriku, and Thimbukushu are some of the languages that are spoken.
- Expected lifespan: (Men) 59 years; (Women) 67 years.
Hage Geingob is the president.
While serving as prime minister, Hage Geingob was elected president in the elections of November 2014. In 2019, he won reelection.
He took over for Hifikepunye Pohamba, who resigned after serving the maximum two terms permitted by the constitution.
The constituent assembly that drafted the constitution that took effect with Namibia's independence from South Africa in 1990 was presided over by Dr. Geingob, who was born in 1941.
He served as Namibia's first premier after independence. The president is only eligible for two five-year terms and shares executive power with the cabinet.
Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is the current prime minister.
After several years as finance minister, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was named prime minister in 2015.
She has been a longtime member of the governing South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), which she fled to Sierra Leone with when she was 13 years old.
Ms. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila returned to Namibia after earning her economics degree in the US and briefly worked in Sam Nujoma's office. Sam Nujoma swiftly promoted her to lead the National Planning Commission.
She then served as finance minister from 2003 until President Geingob appointed her to the position of prime minister.
One of the more open nations in Africa is Namibia.
The opposition, including points of view critical of the government, is covered by broadcasters and the private press.
Important dates in Namibia's history include:
1886-90. - The current international borders were set by agreements Germany made with Portugal and Great Britain. The region becomes part of Germany as South West Africa.
1886-90. - The current international borders were set by agreements Germany made with Portugal and Great Britain. The region becomes part of Germany as South West Africa.
1904-1907. - The Herero and Nama fight back against German colonialism. In what is now recognized as genocide, German forces brutally put down the uprising and kill systematically 10,000 Nama and about 65,000 Herero.
1915 . - During World War One, South Africa seizes territory.
1920 . South Africa is given the authority to rule South West Africa (SWA) by the League of Nations.
1946 . - South Africa rejects having the UN take over SWA as trustee.
1958 . - The South West Africa People's Organisation (Swapo), founded in 1960 by Herman Toivo Ya Toivo and others, is an opposition party.
1961 . - The UN General Assembly calls on South Africa to end the mandate and declares independence for SWA as a goal.
1966 . - The South West Africa People's Organization (Swapo) begins an armed uprising against South African rule.
1968 . - The UN General Assembly officially renamed Namibia South West Africa.
1973 . - Swapo is acknowledged by the UN General Assembly as the "sole legitimate representative" of Namibia's people.
1988 . - South Africa grants independence to Namibia in exchange for Cuban troops being withdrawn from Angola.
1990 . - Sam Nujoma is elected as the nation of Namibia's first president.
1994 . - Namibia now owns the South African exclave of Walvis Bay.
2004 . - Germany issues a formal apology for its mass murders during colonial times.
2005 . - Namibia starts taking over farms owned by white people as part of a land reform initiative.
2022. Two exploration wells in the offshore Orange Basin are thought to contain 2 and 3 billion barrels of oil, respectively, according to estimates. Namibia's economy might change as a result of the anticipated revenue.
