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clean up & uniformity
*Religions: Predominantly Christian; also indigenous beliefs.
*Religions: Predominantly Christian; also indigenous beliefs.
*Languages: English (official); Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo, Herero, Nama/Damara, other indigenous languages.
*Languages: English (official); Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo, Herero, Nama/Damara, other indigenous languages.
*Education: Years compulsory--to age 16. Attendance (2001)--82%. Literacy (adults, 2003)--81%.
*Education: Years compulsory—to age 16. Attendance (2001)--82%. Literacy (adults, 2003)--81%.
*Work force (2002 est.): 200,000.
*Work force (2002 est.): 200,000.
===Principal Government Officials===
===Principal Government Officials===
*President--Hage Geingob
*President—Hage Geingob
*Prime Minister--Saara Kuugongelwa
*Prime Minister—Saara Kuugongelwa
*Deputy Prime Minister--Libertina Amathila
*Deputy Prime Minister—Libertina Amathila
*National Assembly Speaker--Theo-Ben Gurirab
*National Assembly Speaker—Theo-Ben Gurirab
*National Council Chairperson--Asser Kapere
*National Council Chairperson—Asser Kapere
*Minister of Foreign Affairs--Marco Hausiku
*Minister of Foreign Affairs—Marco Hausiku
*Minister of Defense--Major General Charles Namoloh
*Minister of Defense—Major General Charles Namoloh
===Foreign Relations===
===Foreign Relations===
Namibia is part of the Common Monetary Area (CMA) comprising Lesotho, Swaziland, and South Africa. Both the South African rand and the Namibian dollar are legal tender in Namibia, but the Namibian dollar is not accepted in South Africa. As a result of the CMA agreement, the scope for independent monetary policy in Namibia is limited. The Bank of Namibia regularly follows actions taken by the South African central bank.
Namibia is part of the Common Monetary Area (CMA) comprising Lesotho, Swaziland, and South Africa. Both the South African rand and the Namibian dollar are legal tender in Namibia, but the Namibian dollar is not accepted in South Africa. As a result of the CMA agreement, the scope for independent monetary policy in Namibia is limited. The Bank of Namibia regularly follows actions taken by the South African central bank.
Given its small domestic market but favorable location and a superb transport and communications base, Namibia is a leading advocate of regional economic integration. In addition to its membership in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Namibia presently belongs to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) with South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland. Within SACU, no tariffs exist on goods produced in and moving among the member states. SACU is currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with the United States--the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. The SACU Secretariat is located in Windhoek.
Given its small domestic market but favorable location and a superb transport and communications base, Namibia is a leading advocate of regional economic integration. In addition to its membership in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Namibia presently belongs to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) with South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland. Within SACU, no tariffs exist on goods produced in and moving among the member states. SACU is currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with the United States—the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. The SACU Secretariat is located in Windhoek.
Over 80% of Namibia's imports originate in South Africa, and many Namibian exports are destined for the South African market or transit that country. Outside of South Africa, the EU (primarily the U.K.) is the chief market for Namibian exports. Namibia's exports consist mainly of diamonds and other minerals, fish products, beef and meat products, grapes and light manufactures. Under the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), apparel exports are rapidly growing.
Over 80% of Namibia's imports originate in South Africa, and many Namibian exports are destined for the South African market or transit that country. Outside of South Africa, the EU (primarily the U.K.) is the chief market for Namibian exports. Namibia's exports consist mainly of diamonds and other minerals, fish products, beef and meat products, grapes and light manufactures. Under the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), apparel exports are rapidly growing.
*Inflation rate (2004): 3.9%.
*Inflation rate (2004): 3.9%.
*Natural resources: Diamonds, copper, gold, uranium, lead, tin, zinc, salt, vanadium, fisheries, and wildlife.
*Natural resources: Diamonds, copper, gold, uranium, lead, tin, zinc, salt, vanadium, fisheries, and wildlife.
*Agriculture (9.6% of GDP, 2003): Products--beef and meat products, fish and fish products, grapes, wool.
*Agriculture (9.6% of GDP, 2003): Products—beef and meat products, fish and fish products, grapes, wool.
*Mining (6.8% of GDP, 2003): Gem-quality diamonds, zinc, copper, other.
*Mining (6.8% of GDP, 2003): Gem-quality diamonds, zinc, copper, other.
*Trade: Exports (2004)--$1.6 billion: diamonds, copper, lead, uranium, beef, cattle, fish, karakul pelts. Imports (2004)--$2.3 billion: foodstuffs, construction material, manufactured goods. Major partners--South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Germany, U.K., U.S.
*Trade: Exports (2004)--$1.6 billion: diamonds, copper, lead, uranium, beef, cattle, fish, karakul pelts. Imports (2004)--$2.3 billion: foodstuffs, construction material, manufactured goods. Major partners—South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Germany, U.K., U.S.
====Mining and Energy====
====Mining and Energy====
====Agriculture====
====Agriculture====
Although Namibian agriculture--excluding fishing--contributed less than 5% of Namibia's GDP in 2003, about 70% of the Namibian population depends on agricultural activities for livelihood, mostly in the subsistence sector. In 2003, food and live animal exports constituted roughly 15% of total Namibian exports.
Although Namibian agriculture—excluding fishing—contributed less than 5% of Namibia's GDP in 2003, about 70% of the Namibian population depends on agricultural activities for livelihood, mostly in the subsistence sector. In 2003, food and live animal exports constituted roughly 15% of total Namibian exports.
In the largely white-dominated commercial sector, agriculture consists primarily of livestock ranching. Cattle raising is predominant in the central and northern regions, while karakul sheep, goat, and ostrich farming are concentrated in the more arid southern regions. Subsistence farming is confined to the "communal lands" of the country's populous north, where roaming cattle herds are prevalent and the main crops are millet, sorghum, corn, and peanuts. Table grapes, grown mostly along the Orange River in the country's arid south, are becoming an increasingly important commercial crop and a significant employer of seasonal labor.
In the largely white-dominated commercial sector, agriculture consists primarily of livestock ranching. Cattle raising is predominant in the central and northern regions, while karakul sheep, goat, and ostrich farming are concentrated in the more arid southern regions. Subsistence farming is confined to the "communal lands" of the country's populous north, where roaming cattle herds are prevalent and the main crops are millet, sorghum, corn, and peanuts. Table grapes, grown mostly along the Orange River in the country's arid south, are becoming an increasingly important commercial crop and a significant employer of seasonal labor.
Walvis Bay has a well-developed, deepwater port, considered by many the best in Western Africa, and Namibia's fishing infrastructure is most heavily concentrated there. The Namibian Government expects Walvis Bay to become an important commercial gateway to the Southern African region.
Walvis Bay has a well-developed, deepwater port, considered by many the best in Western Africa, and Namibia's fishing infrastructure is most heavily concentrated there. The Namibian Government expects Walvis Bay to become an important commercial gateway to the Southern African region.
Namibia also boasts modern civil aviation facilities and an extensive, well-maintained land transportation network. Construction continues to expand two major arteries--the Trans-Caprivi and Trans-Kalahari Highways--which will further open up the region's access to Walvis Bay.
Namibia also boasts modern civil aviation facilities and an extensive, well-maintained land transportation network. Construction continues to expand two major arteries—the Trans-Caprivi and Trans-Kalahari Highways—which will further open up the region's access to Walvis Bay.
====Tourism====
====Tourism====