User:Monikagabs

Mariental town, south-central Namibia. It lies at an elevation of 3,576 feet (1,090 metres) and is situated 145 miles (232 km) north of Keetmanshoop and 170 miles (274 km) southeast of Windhoek, the national capital. The town and the surrounding area are in a hot, arid region. The eastern sections of the region overlap the western limits of the Kalahari sandveld, where groundwater is difficult to obtain. Near Mariental the sandveld merges with the hardveld (rocky plain) of the Central Highland, an area commonly grazed by Karakul sheep. Named by local Rhenish (German Lutheran) missionaries, Mariental was founded in 1912 as a railway stop between Windhoek and Keetmanshoop. It was proclaimed a town in 1920 and a municipality in 1946. An important economic function of the town is the processing and transport of Karakul skins. The Hardap Dam on the Fish River, 14 miles (22 km) northwest of Mariental, is Namibia’s first large earth-fill dam and supplies electricity and water to the area.Vegetables and citrus fruits are grown in the floodplain below the dam, and its reservoir has been developed as a recreational area for campers, water-skiers, and anglers. Pop. (2001) 11,977

Staff to do There's not much to do or see in the town of Mariental. However, there are good vehicle repair and tyre depots and a good selection of accommodation. If you're heading east to the Kalahari or west to the Namib, you could also stock up with supplies here before your journey.

Hardap Dam The Hardap Dam near Mariental is the largest dam in Namibia. Building commenced in 1960 and the dam, which lays across the upper reaches of the Fish River, was commissioned in 1963. The dam covers an area of 25 square kilometres and has a capacity of 320 million cubic meters.

Animals The Game Reserve is on the southern side of the dam. The drive routes offer picturesque views of the dam and area. Here you can see Gemsbok, Hartmann's Zebra, Kudu, Ostrich, Springbok and Steenbok,the dam also attracts species of birds,You'll definitely hear the cry of the Fish Eagle here, and see Flamingos, Goliath Herons, Ospreys, Reed Cormorants and many other types of birds.