It's A Fact

You may think you know everything about Namibia, but this vast southern African country has a few surprises.

Namibia is characterised by stark landscapes and breathtaking scenery with great contrasts: ocean, dunes, mountains and deserts. But here are a few things you may not be aware of about the stunning southern African nation:

THERE’S A LOT OF SPACE.

The name Namib translates as ‘vast place’—which is apt, given Namibia is one of the least crowded destinations on the planet. Only Greenland, the Falkland Islands, Mongolia and Western Sahara (in that order) have fewer people per square kilometre.

NEARLY HALF OF THE COUNTRY IS PROTECTED.

Namibia takes conservation seriously. Indeed, more than 40% of the country is under conservation management. It was also the first African country to incorporate environmental protection into its constitution. Hence its bountiful wildlife.

MORE CHEETAHS LIVE THERE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE.

If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the fastest land animal on the planet, Namibia is the place to go, for it is home to the world’s largest population of free-roaming cheetahs. Etosha National Park is probably the best place to see them, though eagle-eyed visitors may spot them throughout the country.

IT HAS HOLLYWOOD CONNECTIONS.

Namibia’s dramatic landscapes, which range from desolate deserts to shimmering salt pans, have been used as the backdrop for numerous big-budget blockbusters including 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Flight of the Phoenix (2006) and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015).

IT WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS SOUTH WEST AFRICA.