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Post of the Month: Windhoek: Shades of the American Southwest Click on any of the pictures to see a larger size with captions. his embassy is in the capital of Namibia, a desert nation in southwest Africa. About twice the size of California, Namibia is bordered to the north by Angola, to the east by Botswana, to the south by South Africa, and to the west by the Atlantic. Windhoek, at an altitude of 5,600 feet, is surrounded by sparsely vegetated mountains, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the American Southwest. The city boasts a thriving commercial section, good quality roads, and the remnants of German colonial architecture. Namibia has over 1.4 million people, with an annual growth rate of about 3 percent. The Ovambos and other indigenous peoples comprise most of the nation, with whites and mixed-race persons comprising another 15 percent. English is the official language, although ethnic languages predominate. The country exports diamonds, uranium, copper, lead and fish, although a traditional subsistence sector supports most of the population. The nation’s economy remains closely linked with South Africa, from whom Namibia gained independence in 1990. The goals of the current, multi-party government include strengthening the agricultural and industrial sectors, upgrading education and enhancing the rural infrastructure. Namibia’s natural environment has significant populations of endangered species, including the cheetah and the black rhino, as well as the world’s oldest desert, the Namib. Foreign Service staffers and their families there are featured as part of our continuing series. HomePage