Namibia is an arid country, situated on the Atlantic coast of southern Africa and
borders South Africa, Botswana, Angola and Zambia. The total land area is
approximately 824,268 sq. km and altitude range from sea level to2, 606 m. The
annual average rainfall range is 25 mm in southwest to 700 mm in north east. The
vegetation type is mainly woodlands, savannah and low growth forest with a
landscape consisting mainly of desert and exposed bedrock. Water resources are
limited to mainly ephemeral rivers and so wetlands and other water bodies tend to be
temporary. Perennial rivers exist only at the northern and southern borders.
The estimated population of Namibia is approximately 1.9 million (2001 census data)
with a population growth rate of 2.6% per annum (2001 census data). Females make
up approximately 51.3% and life expectancy is about 43 years. HIV/Aids are major
factors in such a low life expectancy. The population density is 2 persons per square
kilometer and there are at least thirteen distinct ethnic groups within the country.
Namibia is classified as a lower middle income country with GDP growth of 4.1%
(1994 – 2000) and GDP per capita $N8,300. Main economic activities are mining,
manufacturing and agriculture. There is a very highly skewed income distribution
and unemployment averages 35% of the labor force. Approximately 70% of
population practice subsistence farming on approximately 41% of the land (State
owned communal areas) while less than 1% of population own 44% of the land as
“commercial farms”.