The German mandated territory of South West Africa was given to South Africa in 1915 by the League of Nations. In 1950 South Africa refused a UN request to give up the territory. It was renamed Namibia in 1968 (although South Africa continued to call it South West Africa). In 1990 Namibia became the forty-seventh African colony to gain independence. Find out more from these country profiles…
A useful potted history is included with these US Department of State Background Notes on Namibia. Also included is a range of political, economic, and geographical data, as well as information on its people, defense, and relations with the US.
A quirky, colloquial presentation of Namibia’s history presented by LonelyPlanet.com. Makes awfully good reading and may galvanize your interest in Africa’s regional history. Not only suitable for travelers.
An extremely brief historical overview accompanies this BBC Country Profile of Namibia. Of particular interest are the simplified regional map (see where the country is in Africa), a photograph of Namibia’s current Chief of State, and details about the countries media.
A chronology of important events in the history of Namibia given by year (and for more recent events by month also).
A useful map and a range of geographical, political, and economic facts which are mostly up-to-date. Unfortunately this country profile lacks historical information (except for independence date), but the population statistics are probably the best available.
Updated weekly, this list of Namibia's Chief of State and Cabinet Ministers is provided by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America.
Amnesty International report on human rights violations and media restrictions in Namibia.
As well as the usual Country Profile information available on the web, AlertNet offers up to date news headlines about humanitarian efforts and crises in Namibia.
A very comprehensive timeline of Namibia/South West Africa’s history, from prehistory to 1990.
