Namibia's Elevation: How Does It Compare To Angola?

The Namib Desert is a coastal desert in Southern Africa that stretches for more than 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometres) along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia, and northwest South Africa. The Namib Desert is characterised by its red sand dunes, which can reach impressive heights of up to 1,000 feet (300 metres). The desert's landscape features gravel plains, shifting sand dunes, and scattered mountains. The average annual precipitation in the Namib Desert ranges from less than 1 centimetre to around 2 inches (51 millimetres) at the foot of the Great Escarpment. The elevation of the Namib Desert gradually increases from sea level at the coast to about 3,000 feet (900 metres) at the base of the Great Escarpment. In comparison, Angola has a diverse landscape, with elevations ranging from sea level along its coastline to mountainous regions in the interior. Angola's highest peak is Mount Moco, which stands at an elevation of 2,620 metres (8,596 feet) above sea level. So, while the Namib Desert spans multiple countries and has varying elevations, it is safe to say that certain parts of the desert in Namibia and Angola are higher in elevation than other regions within these countries.

The Namib is a coastal desert in Southern Africa

The Namib is characterised by its diverse geology and terrain, which includes sand seas near the coast, gravel plains, and scattered mountain outcrops further inland. The sand dunes, reaching up to 300 metres (980 ft) in height and spanning 32 kilometres (20 mi) in length, are the second-largest in the world after China's Badain Jaran Desert dunes. The desert's elevation gradually increases from the Atlantic coast eastward, reaching up to 200 kilometres (120 mi) inland to the foot of the Great Escarpment.

The climate in the Namib is arid, with annual precipitation ranging from 2 millimetres (0.079 in) in the driest regions to 200 millimetres (7.9 in) at the escarpment. This makes the Namib the only true desert in southern Africa. The desert experiences a significant temperature variation, with stable coastal temperatures ranging between 9–20 °C (48–68 °F) annually, while inland temperatures can exceed 45 °C (113 °F) during summer days and drop below freezing at night.

The Namib is largely uninhabited by humans, except for a few small settlements and indigenous pastoral groups, such as the Ovahimba and Obatjimba Herero in the north, and the Topnaar Nama in the central region. The desert is home to a diverse range of endemic plant and animal species, including arthropods, small animals adapted to low water availability, and larger mammals in the northern regions. The cold ocean waters along the coast support populations of brown fur seals and shorebirds, which, in turn, serve as prey for the Skeleton Coast's lions.

The Namib is also known for its rich mineral deposits, including diamonds, tungsten, and salt. The desert has been an important location for mining activities. Additionally, the unique landscape of the Namib has made it a popular setting for films, such as the 2015 movie "Mad Max: Fury Road".

The Namib spans Angola, Namibia and South Africa

The Namib Desert is a coastal desert in Southern Africa, stretching for more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia, and northwest South Africa. The desert's northernmost portion, extending 450 kilometres (280 miles) from the Angola-Namibia border, is known as the Moçâmedes Desert. The southern portion of the Namib Desert approaches the neighbouring Kalahari Desert.

From the Atlantic coast eastward, the Namib gradually ascends in elevation, reaching up to 200 kilometres (120 miles) inland to the foot of the Great Escarpment. The desert features sand seas near the coast, with gravel plains and scattered mountain outcrops further inland. The sand dunes in the Namib Desert are some of the tallest in the world, reaching heights of up to 300 metres (980 feet) and spanning 32 kilometres (20 miles) in length.

The Namib Desert is almost completely uninhabited by humans, with only a few small settlements and indigenous pastoral groups. The desert may be home to more endemic species than any other desert in the world, owing to its antiquity. The wildlife in the Namib Desert primarily consists of arthropods and other small animals adapted to the arid conditions, although larger animals, such as lions, elephants, and rhinos, can be found in the northern regions.

The Namib Desert is an important location for the mining of valuable resources such as tungsten, salt, and diamonds. The desert is also known for its rich fisheries along the coast and its utilisation for recreational purposes. Additionally, the desert serves as a vital trade route crossing Southern Africa.

The desert is characterised by sand dunes, gravel plains and scattered mountains

The Namib Desert is characterised by sand dunes, gravel plains, and scattered mountains. The sand dunes, which are the second-largest in the world, can reach heights of up to 300 metres (980 feet) and span 32 kilometres (20 miles) in length. These dunes are a result of winds bringing in fog from the Atlantic Ocean, and their orange colour is a sign of their age—the older the dune, the brighter the colour.

The gravel plains of the Namib Desert occur further inland, beyond the sand seas of the coast. The desert's scattered mountain outcrops also appear in this inland region. In the northern third of the Namib, known as the Kaokoveld region, gravel plains and rock platforms occur between rugged mountains. This region also features a few large dune fields.

The complexity and regularity of the dune patterns in the Namib have attracted the attention of geologists for decades, yet they remain poorly understood. The desert's dune sea, which includes some of the tallest and most spectacular dunes in the world, ranges in colour from pink to vivid orange. In the Sossusvlei area, several dunes exceed 300 metres (1,000 feet) in height.

The Namib is a coastal desert in Southern Africa, stretching more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia, and northwest South Africa. It is the only true desert in Southern Africa and may be the oldest desert in the world. The desert is almost completely uninhabited by humans, except for several small settlements and indigenous pastoral groups.

The Namib is almost completely uninhabited

The Namib is a coastal desert in Southern Africa, stretching for more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia, and northwest South Africa. It is a very old desert, having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for roughly 55-80 million years, and is considered the only true desert in Southern Africa. The desert features sand dunes, some of which are 300 metres (980 feet) high, gravel plains, and scattered mountain outcrops. The region has a very low annual precipitation, with the aridest regions receiving as little as 2 millimetres (0.079 inches) of rainfall per year.

The lack of human habitation in the Namib can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the desert's extreme aridity and unpredictable rainfall patterns make it challenging for human settlement. The western Namib, in particular, receives very little rain, with annual precipitation as low as 5 millimetres. Secondly, the Namib's mineral-rich nature has led to the declaration of large areas as a "Prohibited Area," restricting public access to prevent theft. This further discourages human habitation in the region. Finally, the native people of the Namib have gradually left the area, with most of the desert now set aside for conservation.

The desert is a rich source of diamonds

The Namib Desert, a coastal desert in Southern Africa, is a rich source of diamonds. Stretching for over 2,000 kilometres along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia, and northwest South Africa, the Namib is known for its arid conditions, diverse wildlife, and natural resources.

The first diamond in the region was discovered in 1908, and since then, the Namib has been recognised as a significant source of these precious gemstones. The Orange River, which cuts through the southern Namib on its way to the Atlantic Ocean, plays a vital role in transporting diamonds downstream. Many of these diamonds are found along the coast, making the area a popular site for diamond mining.

The Namib Desert is also known for its industrial minerals, including tungsten and salt. The desert's harsh and barren landscape, characterised by sand seas, gravel plains, and scattered mountain outcrops, provides a challenging environment for mining activities. However, the presence of valuable resources has attracted mining operations to the region.

Diamonds are crystals of pure carbon formed under extreme pressure and heat deep within the Earth. They are the hardest naturally occurring substance, making them highly valued for both industrial and gem purposes. The gem-quality diamonds from the Namib are known for their brilliance and sparkle, often cut and polished to enhance their natural beauty.

The desert's unique geological characteristics have contributed to the formation and preservation of diamonds. The arid conditions, with minimal rainfall, have helped preserve the diamonds from erosion and degradation. The desert's ancient riverbeds and gravel plains may also contain alluvial gravels and glacial tills that yield diamonds.

The Namib Desert's diamond deposits have had economic and cultural impacts on the region. Mining activities have led to the development of infrastructure and trade in the area. Additionally, the value of these gemstones has contributed to the region's wealth and attracted global attention to Southern Africa as a significant source of diamonds.

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