Walvis Bay, Namibia (2017)
From the late 1400s, the Portuguese, British and German have left their marks on Walvis Bay which, in the early 1900s, was integrated into South West Africa. In 1990, South West Africa gained independence as Namibia, but Walvis Bay remained under South Africa. Walvis Bay was developed a segregated town while under South African administration. The suburb of Kuisebmond housed Black people, Narraville was inhabited by Coloureds, and Whites lived in the city centre. In 1994, South Africa formally transferred sovereignty of Walvis Bay and the Penguin Islands to Namibia.
Today Walvis Bay is the third largest town of Namibia and its only deep-sea harbour. Between 55,000 and 65,000 people live in Walvis Bay depending on seasonal workers for the dominant fishing industry. Walvis Bay is known for its high quality fish, oysters, rock lobsters, etc.
Walvis Bay is a popular tourist destination for its natural beauty, dolphins and seals watching, sand boarding, salt fields, windsurfing, kite surfing, and kayaking. Walvis Bay is a birder’s paradise. Wetlands in and around Walvis Bay are home to a large number of migrant birds and to more than half of southern Africa’s flamingos.
Walvis Bay, Namibia (2017)
From the late 1400s, the Portuguese, British and German have left their marks on Walvis Bay which, in the early 1900s, was integrated into South West Africa. In 1990, South West Africa gained independence as Namibia, but Walvis Bay remained under South Africa. Walvis Bay was developed a segregated town while under South African administration. The suburb of Kuisebmond housed Black people, Narraville was inhabited by Coloureds, and Whites lived in the city centre. In 1994, South Africa formally transferred sovereignty of Walvis Bay and the Penguin Islands to Namibia.
Today Walvis Bay is the third largest town of Namibia and its only deep-sea harbour. Between 55,000 and 65,000 people live in Walvis Bay depending on seasonal workers for the dominant fishing industry. Walvis Bay is known for its high quality fish, oysters, rock lobsters, etc.
Walvis Bay is a popular tourist destination for its natural beauty, dolphins and seals watching, sand boarding, salt fields, windsurfing, kite surfing, and kayaking. Walvis Bay is a birder’s paradise. Wetlands in and around Walvis Bay are home to a large number of migrant birds and to more than half of southern Africa’s flamingos.