The Republic of Namibia is an independent country of southern Africa formerly known as South West Africa. It is the driest country of sub-Saharan Africa, covered almost entirely by deserts. Its coastline, roughly 1500 m (940 mi) long facing the South Atlantic Ocean, is known for high sand dunes and frequent fogs. Namibia's colonial history began in 1878 when Britain took control of the port of Walvis Bay. The rest of South West Africa became a German colony in 1884. South African troops occupied the German colony in 1915, early in World War I, and South Africa remained in control of the territory for the next 75 years. Namibia became independent in 1990 but South Africa continued its control of the Walvis Bay enclave until 1994. Since the end of the apartheid government in South Africa relations between the two countries have become much friendlier. English is the official language of government and commerce in Namibia, although Afrikaans, German, and nine indigenous languages are also recognized. The words for a lighthouse are vuurtoring in Afrikaans and Leuchtturm in German. Aids to navigation in Namibia are maintained by Namport, the national port authority. There are three active traditional lighthouses in the country, plus one additional historic lighthouse. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume D of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 113.
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Information available on lost lighthouses: Notable faux lighthouses: Adjoining pages: North: Angola | South: South Africa: Western Cape and Northern Cape |
Posted May 24, 2005. Checked and revised February 29, 2024. Lighthouses: 7. Site copyright 2024 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.