Namib Desert

/nah"mib/

a desert region in SW Africa, extending along the coast from SW Angola to W South Africa. 1200 mi. (1930 km) long, 30-100 mi. (48-160 km) wide; 50,000 sq. mi. (129,500 sq. km).

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Desert region, along the entire coast of Namibia.

It is an almost rainless area, about 800 mi (1,300 km) long and 30–100 mi (50–160 km) wide, traversed by rail lines linking Walvis Bay with the Republic of South Africa. It is basically a smooth platform of bedrock of various types and ages. In the southern half the platform is covered with sand. The eastern part, the Inner Namib, supports large numbers of antelope. The shore area has a dense population of marine birds, including flamingos, pelicans, and penguins.

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