Walvis Bay

Chief port serving Namibia, situated on the Atlantic Ocean, 275 km/171 mi southwest of Windhoek; population (2001) 42,000. It is the only deep-water harbour on the Namibian coast and has a fishing industry with allied trades. Because of its central coastal position, harbour, rail links, and airport, Walvis Bay now handles most of Namibia's trade. It was a detached part (area 1,100 sq km/425 sq mi) of Cape Province, South Africa, 1884–1993 (administered solely by South Africa 1922–92; from 1992 jointly by South Africa and Namibia). In 1993 South Africa waived its claim to sovereignty and control was passed to Namibia in February 1994. Walvis Bay is now part of Erongo region.