a country in southwest Africa, west of Botswana and north of South Africa. Population: 1,798,000 (2001). Capital: Windhoek. Namibia was formerly called South West Africa, and until 1990 it was controlled by South Africa. officially Republic of Namibia formerly (1915-68) South-West Africa Nation, southwestern coast of Africa
a republic in southwestern Africa on the south Atlantic coast (formerly called South West Africa); achieved independence from South Africa in 1990; the greater part of Namibia form part of the high Namibian plateau of South Africa