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SWAKOPMUND
Swakopmund lies on the coast of Namibia, halfway between its northern and southern borders. To the west is the Atlantic Ocean, to the east the Namib Desert, said to be the oldest on earth.
It is the country’s most popular and attractive holiday resort and has about 40,000 inhabitants. The palm-lined streets and attractive old buildings, dating back to the colonial period, give the town a unique atmosphere and appearance.
Swakopmund was established as a harbour town during the German Colonial days and after the 1st World War it became a holiday and retirement destination. Over the years it gained popularity and is now visited by tourists from all over the world, thereby attracting many people from the rural areas in the hope of finding employment.
For many years the main source of employment in Swakopmund was the large Rössing Mine operating 60 km out of town. However, when the demand for uranium boomed, 2007 saw the start of the Langer Heinrich Uranium mine, and soon several more mines are to be developed in the desert near Swakopmund. The town has become a busy and vibrant tourist and business centre.
At present the town is experiencing a lot of building activity with tourism as an integral part of the local economy. During the holiday season Swakopmund attracts about
100,000 visitors. Many accommodation establishments and large African Markets are signs of the tourist trade.
Swakopmund is connected to the outside world by rail, road and air. The town has a very good infrastructure and residents and visitors are well cared for by professionals in the medical, educational, trade and accommodation sectors.
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