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Quick Facts: Walvis Bay
- Walvis Bay is called 'Walfischbucht' in German which means 'Whale Bay'
- Walvis Bay has been a haven for sea vessels because of its natural deepwater harbour; being the only natural harbour of any size along the country's coast
- The Dutch called this town Walvisch Baye, the English called it Whale Bay, and in its eventual proclamation it came to be called Walfish Bay, and eventually Walvis Bay
- It used it as a strategic harbour settlement on the sea route around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa
- Walvis Bay is situated in the Kuiseb river delta and lies at the end of the TransNamib Railway to Windhoek, and on the B2 road
- Walvis Bay is home to a large bay and sand dunes
- Bird Island
- Centre of a guano collection industry
- The Dune 7 sand dune
- Salt works
- Birdlife
- Museum
- Kuisebmund Stadium
- The Walvis Bay Export Processing Zone is an important facet of the local economy
Introducing Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay, which is called Walfischbucht in German can be translated into "Whale Bay". Walvis Bay is situated in Namibia, Southern Africa. This bay in Namibia has been a haven for sea vessels because of its natural deepwater harbour, protected by the Pelican Point sand spit, being the only natural harbour of any size along the country's coast.
As the water here is rich in plankton and marine life, the large numbers of whales attracted whalers and fishing vessels. The Dutch referred to it as Walvisch Baye and the English as Whale Bay, and in its eventual proclamation it came to be called Walfish Bay, and eventually Walvis Bay.
A succession of different colonists over many years developed this region of Namibia and used it as a strategic harbour settlement. The harbour's value in relation to the sea route around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa had caught the attention of world powers since it was discovered. This explains the complicated political status of Walvis Bay during many centuries. Walvis Bay is situated in the Kuiseb river delta and lies at the end of the TransNamib Railway to Windhoek, and on the B2 road.
Walvis Bay, with its large bay and sand dunes, is an interesting tourism centre of Namibia. Other attractions include the artificial Bird Island, centre of a guano collection industry, the Dune 7 sand dune, salt works, birdlife and a museum. The Kuisebmund Stadium in Walvis Bay which is home to two clubs in the Namibia Premier League can also be found here. The popular beach resort of Langstrand lies just a few kilometers north of Walvis Bay. The Walvis Bay Export Processing Zone is an important facet of the local economy.