GENERAL INFORMATION ON NAMIBIA
| Size: | ± 825000 km² |
| Population: | ± 1.8 million |
| Ethnic groups: | Ovambo, Kavango, Herero, Damara, Whites, Nama, Coloureds, Caprivians,San, Rehoboth Basters, Tswana and others. Important is the unity in diversity : all are Namibians. |
| Languages: | English is the official language. Other languages that are spoken are Afrikaans and German, local languages such as Oshivambo, Otjiherero, Nama-Damara and many others. |
| Climate: | In the southern, eastern and central areas day temperatures can range from 18 - 25°C in winter, with cold nights and mornings (temperatures can drop below 0°C). In summer temperatures can go to 35°C and sometimes higher. |
| Rainy season is from October/November until March/April. | |
| In the coastal area temperatures range from 15°C in winter to 25°C in summer, but due to the influence of the cold Benguela current, the weather can vary (blue skies alternated with heavy fog). | |
| The north-eastern part of the country has a subtropical climate, ranging from 26°C in winter to over 40°C in summer, with high humidity levels. | |
| Currency: | Namibian dollar. The South-African Rand is also accepted in Namibia (1 N$= R 1). |
| Master Card & Visa are generally accepted. However petrol stations outside the main towns will only accept cash payments. | |
| Time zone: | Greenwich Mean Time +2 in summer (1st Sunday of September up to 1st Sunday of April) |
| GMT +1 in winter (1st Sunday of April up to 1st Sunday of September) | |
| The Caprivi operates on the same time as South-Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe throughout the year. | |
| Visa: | Foreigners must have a valid passport of the country of citizenship and a valid visum where necessary. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended lenght of stay in Namibia. |