Lüderitz

Town in ǁKaras Region, Namibia Bird's eye view of Lüderitz (May 2017) Lüderitz is a town in the ǁKaras Region of southern Namibia. It lies on one of the least hospitable coasts in Africa. It is a port developed around Robert Harbour and Shark Island. Lüderitz had a population of 16,125 people in 2023. The town is known for its colonial architecture, including some Art Nouveau work, and wildlife, including seals, penguins, flamingos, and ostriches. It is also home to a museum and lies at the end of a currently[update] decommissioned railway line to Keetmanshoop. The town is named after Adolf Lüderitz, founder of the German South West Africa colony. Economy and infrastructure The centre of Lüderitz's economic activity is the port, until the incorporation of the Walvis Bay exclave in 1994, the only suitable harbour on Namibia's coast. However, the harbour at Lüderitz has a comparatively shallow rock bottom, making it unusable for many modern ships. The recent addition of a new quay has allowed larger fishing vessels to dock at Lüderitz. The town has also re-styled itself in an attempt to lure tourists to the area, which includes a new waterfront area for shops and offices.[ci