Mariental

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Geography and History

Mariental is the administrative and commercial capital of the Hardap Region in Southern Namibia, and supports several economic industries, including ranching, an ostrich abattoir and large scale irrigated farming. Crops grown in the area include cotton, wheat, lucerne, (alfalfa) maize, grapes, tomatoes and a variety of garden vegetables. The town stands on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, in an area which has long been a centre for the Nama people, who are of mainly Khoi-Khoi descent.

Mariental's original name was Zara-gaebia (dusty) but the current name was that of the farm of the area's first colonial settler, Herman Brandt, who named it Marie's Valley, after his wife, Anna Maria Mahler. He'd purchased the land from Nama chief Hendrik Witbooi in 1890.

From 1903 to 1907, the area was a battleground between colonial and Nama forces, and quite a few German civilians died in guerrilla raids. After the advent of the railway coming through in 1912, Mariental's resident's petitioned for village status, but their hopes were dashed with the German surrender to the South African Defense Force in 1915. This wish was granted in 1920, with the construction of Namibia's first Dutch Reformed Church

As this area of Namibia receives very little rain, traditional farming techniques are being abandoned and farming is moving towards game animals. Mariental is also the centre of Namibia's ostrich farming industry, as these birds cope well with the arid conditions. The ostrich abattoir has been established in Mariental to process the meat for export around the world.

Activities

Water sports enthusiasts should head for the Hardap Dam Resort, and 30 km north-east of Mariental, is the Kalahari Anib Lodge. On the edge of the southern Kalahari, and around 50 minutess drive from Mariental, is the Bagatelle Kalahari Game Lodge.

Accommodation

Accommodation in the Mariental area includes the Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge, the Zebra Kalahari Lodge, and the Suricate Tented Camp, all on The Intu Afrika Kalahari Private Game Reserve.

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