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Walvis Bay is the principal port of Namibia and is situated on the west coast of southern Africa.
Walvis Bay, meaning Whale Bay in Afrikaans, has had a chequered history. It had been discovered by Diaz as early as 1487. In 1795 it was annexed by the British (from the Dutch) and in 1910, Walvis Bay became - like the entire Cape Colony - part of the South African Union.
After Namibia's independence, the only deep sea harbour on the Namibian coast remained under South African rule and only in 1994 did South Africa return it to Namibia.
Walvis Bay has about 50 000 citizens and most people are employed at the modern harbour terminal, in the booming fish industry and the processing of sea salt.
The special attraction of Walvis Bay is the huge natural lagoon with its overwhelming abundance of seabirds - with innumerable flamingoes and pelicans among them. Every year they are joined by 200,000 migratory birds.
A unique adventure is the 48 km drive to Sandwich Harbour, a freshwater lagoon surrounded by dunes, and a favourite amongst anglers and ornithologists. For this drive, a 4x4 is rewquired.
Walvis Bay offers a variety of sports and recreation facilities for those who enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle including golf, tennis, bowls, surfing, swimming, angling and sailing.
