Kavango Region

Kavango Region
—  Region  —
Location of the Kavango Region in Namibia
Country	Namibia
Capital	Rundu
Government
– Governor
Area
– Total	43,418 km2 (16,763.8 sq mi)
Population (2001)
– Total	201,093
– Density	4.6/km2 (12/sq mi)
Time zone	South African Standard Time: UTC+1

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:

• Caprivi – east
• Otjozondjupa – south
• Oshikoto – west
• Ohangwena – northwest

The region is subdivided into nine electoral constituencies: Mpungu, Kahenge, Kapako, Rundu Rural West, Rundu Urban, Rundu Rural East, Mashare, Ndiyona, and Mukwe.

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 Rundu 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.

Transportation

There is a particular dearth of north-south roads in the region, apart from the Rundu-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.

External links

• Kavango Regional Council

Coordinates: 17°55′S 19°45′E / 17.917°S 19.75°E / -17.917; 19.75