NAMIB

The Namib is a coastal desert in Southern Africa. The name Namib is of Nama origin and means “vast place“. According to the broadest definition, the Namib stretches for more than 2000 km along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia,and South Africa extending southward from the Carunjamba River in Angola, through Namibia and to the olifants.

HISTORY:

River in Western Cape, South Africa. The Namib’s northern most portion,which extends 450 km from the Angola-Namib’s border, is known as Mocamedes Desert, while its southern portion approaches the neighboring Kalahori Desert. From the Atlantic coast eastward, the Namib gradually ascends in elevation, reaching up to 200 km inland to the foot of the Great  Escarpment. Annual precipitation ranges from  2mm in the most arid regions to 200mm at the escarpment, making the Namib the only true desert in Southern Africa.

ANIMALS AND PLANTS:

A number of unusual species of plants and animals are found in this desert, many of which are epidemic and highly adapted to the specific climate of the area. Welwitschia mirabills; a shrub like plant it grows continuously throughout its life time. Black backed jackals lick humidity from stones. Gemstones(oxyxes) can raise temperature of their bodie to 40° C. Darling beettles species- such as the Namib Desert beetle. The taproot of the plant develops into a flat, concave disc in age.

NAMIB – NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK:

The Namib-Naukluft National Park, that extends over a large part of the Namib Desert, is the largest game reserve in Africa and one of the largest in the world. It is one of the popular visitors attractions.

-Deepika S