| Erongo Region | |
|---|---|
| — Region — | |
| Location of the Erongo Region in Namibia | |
| Country | Namibia |
| Capital | Walvis-Bay |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Cleophas Mutjavikua[1] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 63,720 km2 (24,602.4 sq mi) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 107,629 |
| • Density | 1.7/km2 (4.4/sq mi) |
| Time zone | South African Standard Time: UTC+1 |
Erongo is one of the 13 regions of Namibia. It comprises the Swakopmund magisterial district up to the Ugab River and includes Walvis Bay, Omaruru and Karibib magisterial districts. This region is named after Erongo mountain, a well known landmark in Namibia and in this area. All the main centres within this region are connected by paved roads.
In the west, Erongo has a shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean. On land, it borders the following regions:
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The Omaruru, Karibib, and Okombahe/Uis/Tsubeses areas are all situated in a semi-arid farming region and have a homogenous farming pattern, which is mostly stock-raising. It also combines communal farming with commercial farming. The needs for production and marketing are therefore very similar and the farming community has a distinct mutual interest which distinguishes their area from the Okahandja or the Otjiwarongo areas whose needs are more centred around industrial farming.
Various mining operations occur within this region at places such as Navachab and on a smaller scale at places surrounding Uis and the desert area. Karibib also has a marble industry. Walvis Bay, fully incorporated into the Erongo Region in 1994, is the principal home of Namibia's fishing industry. Swakopmund and Langstrand are popular beach resorts; Arandis supports mining industry and Swakopmund boasts manufacturing.
This region, with its link to the coast of Namibia, is well developed. Facilities such as schools, hospitals and clinics, the supply of electricity and telecommunication services are, with a few exceptions, well established.
The region comprises seven electoral constituencies:
According to the Namibia 2001 Population and Housing Census, Erongo had a population of 107,663 (50,040 females and 57,616 males or 115 males for every 100 females) growing at an annual rate of 1.3%. The fertility rate was 3.2 children per woman. 80% lived in urban areas while 20% lived in rural areas, and with an area of 63,579km2, the population density was 1.7 persons per km2. By age, 11% of the population was under 5 years old, 18% between 5-14 years, 64% between 15-59 years, and 6% 60 years and older. The population was divided into 27,496 households, with an average size of 3.8 persons. 35% of households had a female head of house, while 65% had a male. For those 15 years and older, 57% had never married, 24% married with certificate, 2% married traditionally, 10% married concensually, 2% were divorced or separated, and 3% were widowed.[2]
The most commonly spoken languages at home were Oshiwambo (37% of households), Afrikaans (22%), and Damara/Nama (21%). For those 15 years and older, the literacy rate was 92%. In terms of education, 89% of girls and 86% of boys between the ages of 6-15 were attending school, and of those older than 15, 79% had left school, 9% were currently at school, and 8% had never attended.[2]
The employment rate for the labor force (71% of those 15+) was 66% employed and 34% unemployed. For those 15+ years old and not in the labor force (24%), 35% were students, 34% homeakers, and 31% retired, too old, etc.[2]
Among households, 96% had safe water, 12% no toilet facility, 73% electricity for lighting, 89% access to radio, and 20% had wood or charcoal for cooking. In terms of household's main sources of income, 4% derived it from farming, 67% from wages and salaries, 8% cash remittances, 8% from business or non-farming, and 10% from pension.[2]
For every 1000 live births there were 43 female infant deaths and 54 male. The life expectancy at birth was 59 years for females and 54 for males. Among children younger than 15, 3% had lost a mother, 5% a father, and 1% were orphaned by both parents. 4% of the entire population had a disability, of which 21% were deaf, 41% blind, 10% had a speech disability, 10% hand disability, 22% leg disability, and 4% mental disability.[2]
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