3. Why was Swakopmund founded so close to Walvis Bay?
Many people wonder why two towns were founded so close to each other in such a scantly populated country. The answer hearkens back to colonial days. Swakopmund was established in 1896 by German settlers, mainly for its freshwater source and reasonably accommodating port. If given the choice, the Germans probably would have claimed Walvis Bay, as there is also freshwater there and a far better port, but at the time, Walvis Bay was engaged by the British, and the Germans chose to rather bypass Walvis Bay and settle in Swakopmund. That is why there is so much German culture in Swakopmund. It was originally a German colony, and it still preserves much of its heritage.
4. Why is there so much mist in Swakopmund?
Swakopmund locals love the mist, saying the cool air moistened with ocean water is good for health. Whether or not you believe that, it is true that Swakopmund is often covered in mist.
In the daytime, air which is relatively moist because of the sea breeze moves inland, and then it condenses overnight with the cooling air. Westerly land winds blow the mist back toward the sea. The mist bank results mainly because easterly land winds pushing to the west bump up against the southwesterly winds from the sea causing a mist bank which normally settles anywhere from a few kilometres offshore to a few kilometres inland.
5. What is a Welwitschia?
The Welwitschia plant is one of Namibia’s most magnificent natural phenomena. Namibians like to claim the Welwitschia as its very own, which is almost true, but the Namib desert continues into Angola, where you will still find some of these hardy plants.
Taxonomically categorized as trees, they look more like ground shrubbery with a wooden mouth-like core and ample, thick leaves extending out on two sides. They appear to have quite a few leaves, but there are actually only two which split as a result of the dry desert air into many fibres.
They are unusual organisms, but perhaps the most incredible feature of the Welwitschia is that the oldest of them have been surviving in the harsh Namib desert for over 2000 years!
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