ortality rate: 47.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.48 years
male: 62.85 years
female: 66.16 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.1 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Namibian(s)
adjective: Namibian

Ethnic divisions: black 86%, white 6.6%, mixed 7.4%
note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9%
to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara
7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

Religions: Christian 80% to 90%, Lutheran 50% at least, other
Christian denominations 30%, native religions 10% to 20%

Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of
most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German
32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1960 est.)
total population: 38%
male: 45%
female: 31%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Namibia
conventional short form: Namibia

Data code: WA

Type of government: republic

Capital: Windhoek

Administrative divisions: 13 regions; Erongo, Hardap, Karas,
Khomas, Kunene, Caprivi (Liambezi), Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke,
Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa

Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990

Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Sam NUJOMA (since
21 March 1990) was elected for a five-year term by universal
suffrage; election last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA
December 1999); results - Sam NUJOMA elected president; percent of
vote NA
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from the members of
National Assembly

Legislative branch: bicameral legislature
National Council: elections last held 30 November-3 December 1992
(next to be held by December 1998); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (26 total) SWAPO 19, DTA 6, UDF 1
National Assembly: elections last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be
held NA December 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (72 total) SWAPO 53, DTA 15, UDF 2, MAG 1, DCN 1

Judicial branch