Ruacana
| Ruacana | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 Ruacana
|
|
| Coordinates: 17°25′20″S 14°18′7″E / 17.42222°S 14.30194°ECoordinates: 17°25′20″S 14°18′7″E / 17.42222°S 14.30194°E | |
| Country |
 Namibia
|
| Region | Omusati Region |
| Constituency | Ruacana Constituency |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 2,985 |
| Time zone | South African Standard Time (UTC+1) |
| Climate | BSh |
Ruacana is a town in Omusati Region, northern Namibia and the district capital of the Ruacana electoral constituency. It is located on the border with Angola on the river Kunene. The town is known for the picturesque Ruacana Falls nearby, and for the Ruacana Power Station.
Ruacana was developed around a major underground hydroelectric plant linked to the nearby dam across the border in Angola at Calueque. The dam and pumping station were bombed in a Cuban airstrike in 1988, during the Angolan Civil War. The facility was partially repaired and today NamPower operates three turbines producing a maximum of 240 megawatts.
OvaZemba and OvaHimba people are native to the area. The name Ruacana originated from one of the first settlers in Ruacana called Ruhakana. The town was therefore named after Mr. Ruhakana although it is currently written as Ruacana.
Ruacana's settlement status was upgraded to that of a village in 2005, and to town in 2010. It is now[update] governed by a town council that has seven seats.
The place normally receives an annual average rainfall of 426 millimetres (16.8 in), although in the 2010/2011 rainy season 960 millimetres (38 in) were measured.
The 600 hectares (1,500 acres) farm Etunda is situated near Ruacana. It is run as a government supported irrigation scheme and has been established in 1993. Half of the farm is commercial irrigation land, the other half is allocated to 82 small-scale farmers. Etunda cultivates maize, wheat, watermelons, bananas, and other produce.
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