Erongo Region | |
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Region | |
Location of the Erongo Region in Namibia |
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Country | Namibia |
Capital | Swakopmund |
Government | |
• Governor | Cleophas Mutjavikua |
Area | |
• Total | 63,539 km2 (24,533 sq mi) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 150,400 |
• Density | 2.4/km2 (6.1/sq mi) |
Time zone | South African Standard Time: UTC+1 |
Erongo is one of the 14 regions of Namibia, its capital is Swakopmund. The Region comprises the Swakopmund magisterial district up to the Ugab River and includes the Walvis Bay, Omaruru and Karibib magisterial districts. This region is named after Mount Erongo, a well known landmark in Namibia and in this area. All the main centres within this region are connected by paved roads. The Governor of Erongo Region is Cleophas Mutjavikua.
In the west, Erongo has a shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean. On land, it borders the following regions:
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. Walvis Bay also boasts the only deep sea port and is the second largest town in the country. 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. Erongo has 66 schools with a total of 32,114 pupils.
The region comprises seven electoral constituencies:
In the 2015 regional elections Swapo won six of the seven constituencies with only Dâures, traditionally a United Democratic Front stronghold, narrowly won by the opposition.
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 63,579 km2, 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.