Contents

- General Information
- Geography and Environment
- Population and HIV/AIDS
- Economy
- Communications, Information, Science and Technology
- Chronology of History

General Information

Country name:
Conventional long form: Republic of Namibia
Conventional short form: Namibia (NAM)

Government type: Republic

Capital: Windhoek
Other cities: Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz, Oranjemund, Oshakati, Swakopmund, Tsumeb, Walvis Bay

Official language: English

Administrative Division: 13 regions in alphabetical order: Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Kavango, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate, =National holiday)

Constitution: Ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990

Legal system: Based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
Chief of state: President Sam Nujoma (since 21 March 1990), elected for a 5-year term;
Head of government: President Sam Nujoma (since 21 March 1990);
Prime Minister: Hage Geingob
Cabinet: Appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly

Legislative branch:
Bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; from each of the 13 regional councils, two members are chosen to serve a six-year term) and the National Assembly (72 seats; the members are elected by popular vote for a five-year term)

Note: The National Council is a purely advisory body.

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president

National Security:
The constitution defines the role of the military (NDF - National Defense Force) as "defending the territory and national interests". Namibia has no air force or navy.

Political parties and leaders: South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam Nujoma, the ruling party]; The principal opposition party is the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Mishake Muyongo, president]; National Democratic Party for Justice or NDPFJ [Nbhwete Ndjoba]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus Garoeb]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie Pretorius]; Democratic Coalition of Namibia or DCN [Moses K. Katjiuongua]

Latest population census: 1991

Latest household or demographic survey: DHS 1992 and DHS 2000 (ongoing)

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FLS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, MONUA, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Sources
[1] CIA, The World Factbook, Namibia, http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/bc.html

[3] U.S. Department of State, Background Notes. Namibia, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/bgn/index.cfm?docid=611

- General Information
- Geography and Environment
- Population and HIV/AIDS
- Economy
- Communications, Information, and Science and Technology
- Chronology of History