Location: Borders Angola and Zambia in the north, Botswana in the east, South Africa in the southeast and south, and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.Latitude: Windhoek: 22°34′S (for reference-sake, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 22°54'S, Philadelphia: 39°57'N)
Size: 317,500 sq miles (almost as much as 2 Californias)
Language: English is the official language. German and Afrikaans were also, until 1990. We will be studying 1 of the following during pre-service training: Afrikaans, Khoekhoegowab, Oshikwanyama, Otjiherero, Oshindonga, Thimbukushu, Rukwangali or Silozi.
Religion: ~80% Christianity (50% of which are Lutheran)
Economy: Agriculture, herding, tourism, mining precious stones and metals
Exchange rate: $1 USD = ~ $7.50 Namibian dollars
Time difference: Currently 5 hours ahead of EST
Climate: Generally a dry country. Clear skies for 300+ days of the year, providing brilliant days and star-filled nights.
Weather currently: It is currently winter in Southern Africa, so the weather at the time of your arrival will be cool. Highs may be in the 50’s to 70’s, with lows anywhere from the 20’s to 40’s. Rainy season may begin in September or October.
Diet: "Typical meals consist of meat (usually goat, sheep/mutton, or beef) and porridge (ground maize meal); however, you may have the opportunity to eat more exotic foods on special occasions and you can find basic vegetables and other staples at most grocery stores." I guess I will be missing my veggies!
History: The name of the country is derived from the Namib Desert, considered to be the oldest desert in the world. Namibia became a German colony in 1884 to forestall British encroachment and was known as German South-West Africa, apart from Walvis Bay, which was under British control. South Africa occupied the colony during World War I and administered it as a League of Nations mandate territory. Although the South African government desired to incorporate 'South-West Africa' into its territory, it never officially did so, although it was administered as the de facto 'fifth province', with the white minority having representation in the whites-only Parliament of South Africa. In the 1960's the South-West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) military wing, People's Liberation Army of Namibia, a guerrilla group began their armed struggle for independence, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its occupation of Namibia, in accordance with a United Nations peace plan for the entire region. Transition for independence started in 1989 and on 21 March 1990 the country officially claimed full independence. Sam Nujoma was sworn in as the first President of Namibia watched by Nelson Mandela (who had been released from prison shortly beforehand) and representatives from 147 countries, including 20 heads of state. Walvis Bay was ceded to Namibia in 1994 upon the end of Apartheid in South Africa.
Culture/Diversity & Topography: "One of the most in
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teresting things about Namibia is that it is very diverse in its topography, people, languages, and cultures. From the rolling dunes and low brush of the hot, dry deserts and savannahs of the south to the warm, humid, northern regions you find many different landscapes as well as climates in this country. Even with such a small population, there are many different tribes of people with different traditions, speaking different languages. 
The tribal ties and traditions are often very strong and valued as much as nationalism and national law.. There are Bantu based languages, Afrikaans, and Khoi-San “click” languages. However, many people do speak English as well.""Most of Namibia consists of a high plateau, a continuation of the main South African plateau. Its average altitude is 3,600 feet above sea level. The strip along the coast consists of the Namib Desert, extending from the Orange River in the south to the Kunene River in the north. About 60 miles wide, this area is mostly uninhabited. The eastern part of the country, which forms part of the Kalahari Desert, consists mainly of sandy stretches but provides some grazing ground. The Etosha Pan in the north is the focal point of an important national park and game reserve."
Culture/Living conditions: "Living conditions also vary across the country, ranging from mud hut homesteads without electricity and water that is fetched from the nearby river or borehole, to western style brick houses with tin roofs, running water, and electricity. Throughout Namibia, there are small towns (not so different from small towns in the U.S.) where you can find grocery stores, gas stations, banks, businesses, western type houses, lots of cars, etc. Outside these towns are more remote villages where people often cook on open fires, herd cattle and goats, grow their own food, and take bucket baths. Volunteer sites vary as much as the diversity described here, so come with an open mind and few expectations!"
Culture/Dress: "In Namibia, most people wear modern clothing, but some still wear their traditional attire. For example, Herero women often wear long flowing Victorian dresses and a hat that extends out to the sides resembling cattle horns (to signify the importance of cattle in their culture). In contrast, the Himba women, who are relatives to the Herero people, wear animal skin skirts.. covered from head to toe in a red clay mixture called Ochre and decorated with beads and jewelry and hair styles that signify certain periods in their life related to adolescence and adulthood. However, in most jobs Namibians dress up somewhat formally for work. Most Volunteers wear business casual western clothes to work, the Peace Corps Offices and important events."
History of Peace Corps in Namibia: "The first group of 14 Volunteers arrived in Namibia on September 9, 1990, less than six months after the country became independent... The primary role of these early Volunteers was to teach English, in support of the new government’s declaration of English as the country’s official language... Today, about 90-100 Volunteers work as primary and secondary school teachers, resource teachers, and community health workers."
So now you know. :)
(Images from Wikipedia... 'til we can take our own pictures!)
