Okavango Region
Encyclopedia
Kavango is one of the thirteen regions of Namibia
. Because of its rather higher rainfall than most other parts of Namibia, this region has definite agricultural potential for the cultivation of a variety of crops. There is also potential for organised forestry and agro-forestry, which should stimulate furniture making and related industries.
In the north, Kavango borders the Cuando Cubango
Province of Angola
, and in the southeast it borders the North-West
District of Botswana. Domestically, it borders the following regions:
The region is subdivided into nine electoral constituencies
: Mpungu
, Kahenge
, Kapako
, Rundu Rural West
, Rundu Urban
, Rundu Rural East, Mashare
, Ndiyona
, and Mukwe
.
and the towns of Nkurenkuru
and Divundu
. Subsistence fishing is important, and the possibility of expanding this on a sustainable commercial basis in order to supplement local incomes should be investigated. The promotion of tourism, perhaps in conjunction with the Caprivi Region
, also deserves attention. This would stimulate local art and wood carving.
-Grootfontein
main road. Rundu
has a small airstrip to accommodate medium-sized tourist or cargo airpcraft in daylight only. The establishment of a control tower may permit the handling of passengers and airfreight in all-weather circumstances. The poor condition of the roads and the long distances have a negative effect on tourism; this situation has been improved by the completion of the Trans–Caprivi Highway. A major highway connecting Rundu to western Kavango and the Ohangwena Region is under construction.
Regions of Namibia
The administrative division of Namibia is tabled by Delimitation Commissions and accepted or declined by the National Assembly. The First Delimitation Commission chaired by Judge President Johan Strydom suggested in 1992 that Namibia be divided into 13 Regions, a number that has not been amended...
. Because of its rather higher rainfall than most other parts of Namibia, this region has definite agricultural potential for the cultivation of a variety of crops. There is also potential for organised forestry and agro-forestry, which should stimulate furniture making and related industries.
In the north, Kavango borders the Cuando Cubango
Cuando Cubango
Cuando Cubango is a province of Angola and it has an area of 199,049 km² and a population of approximately 140,000. Menongue is the capital of the province. The governor of the province is General Eusebio de Brito. According to 1988 US government statistics, the provincial population was...
Province of Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
, and in the southeast it borders the North-West
North-West District (Botswana)
North-West District Council is one of the local authorities of Botswana. It was established in 1966, overlapping the administrative districts of Chobe and Ngamiland...
District of Botswana. Domestically, it borders the following regions:
- CapriviCaprivi RegionCaprivi is one of the 13 regions of Namibia. It takes its name from the Caprivi Strip which in turn was named after Leo von Caprivi.-Geography:...
– east - OtjozondjupaOtjozondjupaOtjozondjupa region is one of the thirteen regions of Namibia. An outstanding landmark within this region is the Waterberg Plateau Park. Administration offices are based in Otjiwarongo which is the largest town in the region....
– south - OshikotoOshikoto RegionOshikoto is one of the thirteen regions of Namibia. The northern part of the region is agricultural, whereas the main economic activities in the southern part are cattle rearing and mining...
– west - OhangwenaOhangwena RegionOhangwena is one of the thirteen regions of Namibia. The northern and western parts of the region are the most densely populated of this essentially subsistence agricultural region in which small scale mahangu cultivation and the keeping of cattle form the predominant activities...
– northwest
The region is subdivided into nine electoral constituencies
Constituencies of Namibia
Each of the 13 regions in Namibia are further subdivided into electoral constituencies. The number and size of each constituency varies with the size and population of each region. There are currently 107 constituencies in Namibia...
: Mpungu
Mpungu Constituency
Mpungu is a constituency in the Kavango Region of Namibia. Its population is 18,332. There are two towns in this constituency: Mpungu and Nkurenkuru.This constituency had 8924 registered voters as of 2004....
, Kahenge
Kahenge Constituency
Kahenge is a constituency in the Kavango Region of Namibia. It has 30.180 inhabitants, the district centre is the settlement of Kahenge.The constituency contains the Okavango River settlements of Tondoro, Rupara, and Sambusu as well as the inland settlements of Mpanda and Mpuku.There is a bilateral...
, Kapako
Kapako Constituency
Kapako is a constituency in the Kavango Region of Namibia. It has 25,653 inhabitants, the district centre is the settlement of Kapako.The constituency contains the settlements of Gcugcuma and Siyandeya....
, Rundu Rural West
Rundu Rural West
Rundu Rural West is a political constituency in the Kavango Region of Namibia. It is located near Rundu, one of Namibia's largest cities. Kaisosi and Sauyemwa are settlements in the constituency. Sauyemwea is an informal settlement located 8 km from Rundu. Most of the residents of the constituency...
, Rundu Urban
Rundu Urban
Rundu Urban is a political constituency in the Kavango Region of Namibia. It covers the urban area of Rundu, one of Namibia's largest cities. The constituency also covers parts of the Sauyemwa, Safari, Tutungeni, Katutura, Donkerhoek and Kehemu neighborhoods....
, Rundu Rural East, Mashare
Mashare Constituency
Mashare is a constituency in the Kavango Region of Namibia. It has 15,829 inhabitants, the district centre is the settlement of Mashare.The constituency contains the settlements of Dwasa, Tceha, Kondja, Namagadi, and Rudjadja....
, Ndiyona
Ndiyona Constituency
Ndiyona is a constituency in the Kavango Region of Namibia. It has 19,150 inhabitants, the district centre is the settlement of Ndiyona.The constituency contains the Khaudom National Park as well as the settlements of Nyangana, Shamwimbi, Twitwima, Kakekete, Tcotcoma, Cwibo, Shishidjo, Shakambu,...
, and Mukwe
Mukwe Constituency
Mukwe is a constituency in the Kavango Region of Namibia. It has 26.000 inhabitants, the district centre is the settlement of Mukwe.The constituency contains the settlements of Andara, Bagani, and Divundu....
.
Population
The region is characterised by an extremely uneven population distribution. The interior is very sparsely inhabited, while the northernmost strip, especially along the Kavango River, has a high population concentration. Largest urban settlements are the capital RunduRundu
Rundu is the capital of the Kavango Region, northern Namibia, on the border with Angola on the banks of the Okavango River about 1000 m above sea level. The place normally receives an annual average rainfall of , although in the 2010/2011 rainy season were measured.Rundu grows rapidly...
and the towns of Nkurenkuru
Nkurenkuru
Nkurenkuru is a town on the south-western banks of the Kavango River in the Kavango Region, Namibia, 140 km west of Rundu. Nkurenkuru has a population of around 7.650 inhabitants and is homestead of the local Uukwangali kings and until 1936, also was capital for the entire region...
and Divundu
Divundu
Divundu is a town on the south-eastern banks of the Okavango River in the Kavango Region, Namibia, 200 km east of Rundu. Divundu has a population of around 5.430 inhabitants and is homestead of the local Mbukushu kings....
. Subsistence fishing is important, and the possibility of expanding this on a sustainable commercial basis in order to supplement local incomes should be investigated. The promotion of tourism, perhaps in conjunction with the Caprivi Region
Caprivi Region
Caprivi is one of the 13 regions of Namibia. It takes its name from the Caprivi Strip which in turn was named after Leo von Caprivi.-Geography:...
, also deserves attention. This would stimulate local art and wood carving.
Transportation
There is a particular dearth of north-south roads in the region, apart from the RunduRundu
Rundu is the capital of the Kavango Region, northern Namibia, on the border with Angola on the banks of the Okavango River about 1000 m above sea level. The place normally receives an annual average rainfall of , although in the 2010/2011 rainy season were measured.Rundu grows rapidly...
-Grootfontein
Grootfontein
Grootfontein is a city of 14,200 inhabitants in the Otjozondjupa Region of central Namibia. It is one of the three towns in the Otavi Triangle, situated on the B8 national road that leads from Windhoek to the Caprivi Strip...
main road. Rundu
Rundu
Rundu is the capital of the Kavango Region, northern Namibia, on the border with Angola on the banks of the Okavango River about 1000 m above sea level. The place normally receives an annual average rainfall of , although in the 2010/2011 rainy season were measured.Rundu grows rapidly...
has a small airstrip to accommodate medium-sized tourist or cargo airpcraft in daylight only. The establishment of a control tower may permit the handling of passengers and airfreight in all-weather circumstances. The poor condition of the roads and the long distances have a negative effect on tourism; this situation has been improved by the completion of the Trans–Caprivi Highway. A major highway connecting Rundu to western Kavango and the Ohangwena Region is under construction.