The word ‘Namib' is of Nama origin and means 'endless place'. According to the broadest definition, the Namib extends over more than 2000km along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia and South Africa. Annual rainfall ranges from 2mm in the driest areas to 200mm along the escarpment, making it the only true desert of southern Africa.
The Namib has experienced droughts and semi-droughts for the past 55 to 80 million years, making it the oldest desert in the world. The geology consists of sandy plains near the coast, while grassy plains and mountains are found further inland. The dunes, some of which are 300m high and 32km long, are the second-largest dunes in the world after those of the Badain Jaran desert in China.
