Namibia: Country Brief

Once a German possession, Namibia was ruled by apartheid South Africa until 1990, and is now quite prosperous by the standards of sub-Saharan Africa. The report surveys the people and poverty, the economy, the environment, the governance and business environment, global links, and of course its adherence to the World Bank system. The chapter titles, more headlines or political slogans than descriptions, include tuberculosis inflicts a heavy toll on the population, prudent policies have created a stronger fiscal position, coastal and marine resources are fragile, firms view the investment climate as relatively conducive to business, and the US and Germany are the largest sources of official development assistance. No index is provided. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)