Once called South West Africa, Namibia gained its independence in 1990, after the 26 year-long It is the 34 largest country on Earth, and consists of about 318,772 mi² (825,615 km²). These images are from the southern area of the country, in the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, including the Fish River Canyon, the largest on the African continent - located in the southernmost, largest, and least densely populated region of 14 total, known as ǁKaras.