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Lüderitz
Located in
Namibia :: Namib-Naukluft
:: Luderitz
Category:
Places :: Town Medium
What is today known as Lüderitz was founded in 1487 by Bartolomeu Diaz as Angra Pequena (Portuguese for Small Bay). During the early 19th century it became a trading post and in 1883 Adolf Lüderitz from Germany purchased Angra Pequena from the local Nama chief. When he did not return from an expedition to the Orange River in 1886 Angra Pequena's name was changed to Lüderitzbucht in his honour.
Initially, Lüderitz was a trading post, whale and seal hunting station, fishing village and guano-harvesting town but it enjoyed a temporary surge of prosperity when diamonds were discovered in 1909 in the nearby Kolmanskop. In those days the railway line ran between Keetmanshoop and Lüderitz and the harbour town flourished.
In 1905 German authorities established a concentration camp on Shark Island. The camp operated for two years during the Herero Wars and almost 3 000 Hereros and Namas died here as a result of the tragic conditions of forced labour. Their labour was used for expansion of the town, railway and port and they also worked on the farms of white settlers. A movement to change the town's name back to !Nami#Nûs, its name prior to 1884, has been going on for some time. The appeal of this harbour town lies in the fact that little has changed since the early 20th century. Although this coastline might be inhospitable to people, it is important for coastal seabird breeding.
| Address : | Sperrgebiet, Namibia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cellphone Reception : | Good | Main Cellular Network : | MTC. LEO |
| Police Station : | Yes | Police Telephone : | +264(0)63 202 255 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital : | Yes | Hospital Telephone : | +264(0)63 202 446 | |
| Doctor : | Yes | Doctor Telephone : | +264(0)63 202 515 | |
| Tourist Information : | Yes |
| Petrol : | Yes | Petrol Type : | LRP/ULP | Petrol Price Index : | 10,08 NAD (Feb-2012) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel : | Yes | Diesel Price Index : | 10,52 NAD (Feb-2012) |
| Towing Service : | Yes | Towing Service Telephone: | +264(0)63 203 669 |
|---|
| Facilities : | Gas Refill, Shopping Centre, Shops, General Dealer, Bank, ATM, Foreign Exchange, Internet Cafe, Tour Services, Lodging, Camping, Butchery, Bakery, Liquor, Restaurant, Pharmacy, Airport, Car Rental, Tyre Repair, Tyre Sales, Mechanical Repair | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Facilities : | Auto Spares. Library. Retirement Home. Fast Food. Government Services. |
|---|
| Game Viewing, Game Drives, Quad Bikes, 4WD Trails, Tours and Excursions, Hiking Trails, Guided Walks, Fishing, Swimming, Surfing, Sailing, Boat Trips, Bird Watching, Whale or Dolphin Watching |
SHOPS & SERVICES:
Travellers will find everything they need in this town, the local Spar sells good quality meat.
SPERRGEBIET NATIONAL PARK:
At the moment the only way to enter the Sperrgebiet National Park is when travelling with a Ministry of Environment and Tourism concessionaire. Tours with the concessionaires start in Lüderitz. Harbour nearby.
FUEL:
Take note: Garage or Petrol cards will no longer be accepted as a legal tender for purchase of fuel, spares or repairs in Namibia.
Cash, Debit and Credit cards are legal payment instruments, but many fuel stations choose NOT to accept Debit and/or Credit cards. But generally credit cards are accepted at garages in bigger and touristy towns. Take extra cash with still in case!
If you are lucky enough to get a wind-free day at Shark Island, stay for longer as this is the most beautiful campsite right
on the sea. Visit the Adolf Lüderitz Memorial that was erected at Shark Island in 1953.
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