NAMA'QITALAND, GREAT. The extensive region in South Africa n. of the cape Colony. extending from the Ormige river, lat. 29° 30', to Walfish bay, lat. 23', and stretching inland from the iv. coast to the Kalihari desert, comprehending an area of about 100,000 sq.m., is known under the name of Great Namaqualand, being principally inhabited by wandering tribes of .Namaquas (q.v.). This region is drained principally by a large periodical water-course, called the Oup, Borradaile, or Great Fish river, whi-h, running front u. to s., a distance of about 450 in., joins the Orange river nearly at right angles, about 00 m. from its mouth. It is generally, except in its northern parts, where the country rises into extensive and lofty plateaus, a most sterile and barren region, and along a coastline of upwards of 400 in. does not present a single running stream much less a navigable river, although a few little bays along the coast, such is Pequena, Sandwich harbor, and Walfish bay, afford safe anchorages. The valley of the Oup is bounded ou each side by ranges of fiat-topped barren mountains, which to the eastward die away into the waterless though wooded fiats of the Kalihari desert, and coastwards stretch into vast sandy downs, against which the southern Atlantic beats re unceasing surf, rendering landing very dangerous, and enveloping the coast in a perpetual mist.
The chief productions of the region are cattle, for the rearing of which the country seems favorable. On the edge of the Kalihari, ivory and ostrich feathers are collected, and copper ore seems abundant in several localities. Guano is found at Ichaboe and many little islands on the coast, and considerable fisheries are carried on by cape houses in many of the bays.
The lion, giraffe, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and large game generally, are still found in Namaqualand. although fast diminishing before the fire-arms of the Namaquas. The snakes are especially venomous. The gemsbok, eland, and other large antelopes, now almost unknown in the Cape Colony, are still numerous in the little frequented wastes of this region. The climate is extreme, and though, on the whole, not unhealthy, is very trying to European constitutions. The water is generally brackish. The first English traveler in Namaqualand, was sir J. Alexander, who, in 1837, traversed it from n. to south. Charles John Andersson has also explored every part of it. Infor mation on the region may be also found in the travels of Moffat, Campbell. and Le Valliant. The native tribes, who may perhaps number about 40,000 souls, speak the Namaqua language, the purest type of the Hottentot.