Notable Namibians
Friday is Namibia’s national day, celebrating their independence from 75 years of South African rule in 1990. Here are some notable Namibian achievements:
Earliest known hominoid
A jaw-bone with three molars found in the Otavi Hills, Namibia on 4 June 1991, has been dated to 12-13 million years and named Otavipithecus namibiensis.
Fastest run 200m (male – indoors)
Frank ‘Frankie’ Fredericks (Namibia) ran 200m in 19.92 seconds in Liévin, France on 18 February 1996.
Largest meteorite
A block 2.7 m (9ft) long by 2.4 m (8 ft) wide, estimated to weigh 59 tonnes, is the largest known meteorite. It was found in 1920 at Hoba West, near Grootfontein in Namibia.
Largest underground lake
The largest known underground lake is that in the Drachenhauchloch (Dragon's Breath) cave near Grootfontein, Namibia, discovered in 1986. When surveyed in April 1991 the surface area was found to be 2.61 ha (644 acres). The surface of the lake is some 66 m (217 ft) underground, and its depth 84 m (276 ft).
Longest leaf lifespan
The longest-lived leaves of all plants belong to the welwitschia (Welwitschia mirabilis), named after botanist, Dr Friedrich Welwitsch (Austria), who discovered the plant (looking like a "stranded octopus") in 1859 in its native Namib Desert of Namibia and Angola. The welwitschia has an estimated lifespan of between 400-1,500 years, with some specimens carbon-dated to 2,000 years old. Each plant produces two leaves per century, and never sheds them. Ancient individuals sprawl out over 10 m (33 ft) in circumference, with enough foliage to cover a 400-m (1,312-ft) athletic field.
19 March 2008