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Namibia is situated on Africa’s south-western seaboard, bordered in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, in the east by Botswana and Zimbabwe, in the south by South Africa and in the north by Angola. The country’s surface area is 824 268 km2, of which 15% consists of nature reserves. Following independence in 1990, the country was divided into 13 regions. The highest mountain in Namibia is the Brandberg. Other prominent mountains are the Spitzkoppe, Molteblick and Gamsberg. Perennial rivers are the Orange, Kunene, Okavango, Zambezi and Kwando/Linyanti/Chobe. There are numerous ephemeral rivers, such as the Fish, Kuiseb, Swakop and Ugab. Namibia boasts 14 vegetation zones, 120 tree species, 200 endemic plant species and more than a 100 species of lichen. Namibia is home to the living fossil plant, the Welwitschia mirabilis, endemic to the Namib Desert. Big games found in Namibia are elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, leopard and giraffe. Of the 240 species of mammals found in Namibia, 14 are endemic, and there are 20 different species of antelope. Namibia is also home to 250 reptile species, 50 species of frogs and approximately630 bird species.
Throughout most of the country the climate is arid and semi-arid, changing to sub-tropical in the far north east. The hottest months are between November and February, with average maximum day temperatures ranging from 20°C to 36°C. Average minimum winter temperatures range from 6°C to 10°C, and average winter day temperatures from 18°C to 22°C.
The capital city of Namibia, Windhoek, is situated in Namibia’s central highlands. Windhoek gained municipal status in 1909 and was proclaimed a city in 1965. The city serves as Namibia’s administrative, judicial and legislative capital. Namibia’s main growth centres in other parts of the country are Grootfontein, Katima Mulilo, Okahandja, Ondangwa, Oshakati, Oshikango, Otjiwarongo, Rundu and Tsumeb, all situated north of the capital, with Lüderitz, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay at the coast, and Keetmanshoop, Mariental, Oranjemund and Rosh Pinah in the south. Gobabis is the first town after entering at the eastern border post, Buitepos, from Botswana on the Trans-Kalahari Highway.
According to the latest official census conducted in 2011, Namibia has a total population of 2,104, 900, of which 51% is female. The population density is 2.5 persons per square kilometre.About 42% of Namibia's population live in urban areas. While the Khomas region is currently the most populous region with 14%of the total population, more than 60%of the total population lives in the far Northern regions of the country. Namibia is home to 13 ethnic cultures and 16 languages and dialects are spoken, amongst which are English as the official language, as well as Oshiwambo, Otjiherero, Nama/Damara, Lozi, Rukwangali, Tswana, Afrikaans and German
The Namibian Constitution, the supreme law of the land, entrenches multiparty democracy and fundamental rights and freedoms. The Constitution lays down the division of power between the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. The Executive is headed by the President, who is elected by direct popular vote for a term of five years and can be re-elected for a second term of office. Since independence, Namibia has built a strong democratic foundation. All institutions necessary to ensure democratic governance have been established. Presidential and local authority elections are held regularly and are conducted freely and fairly. The Judiciary operates with total independence, while the Auditor-General’s office has gained in stature as a watchdog over the conduct of governance. Since independence in 1990, Namibia has remained steadfast in its commitment to the freemarket economic system, which acknowledges the centrality of the private sector in the development process.To enlighten yourself more about Namibia and its governance please do visit http://www.gov.na/.