Kalahari Desert

   

    The Kalahari desert is located south of Africa, extends through the territories of Botswana and Namibia.

    Two people inhabit the desert region, the Bushmen, and Khoikhoi (also known as Hottentots). The Bushmen are nomadic, living basically herding, hunting and gathering. Estimates indicate that there are about 50 thousand Bushmen living in the Kalahari.
The khoikhoi already living in a strip of desert in the territory of Botswana. Short in stature also live by hunting, gathering and herding sheep. Are also nomadic people of the desert.
    In the Kalahari desert rains occur in some short periods of the year, that is, it's not a completely arid desert, what favors the development of vegetation and allows the existence of some species of animals.

    The thermal amplitude is also very large, ranging from 50° to 0° degrees Celsius. The flora of the Kalahari features scattered trees, like Palm trees and baobabs, shrub formations, Shrublands and savanna's own herbal xerófitos.

    Due to the huge economic potential, the desert suffer threats of natural resources. The region has large reserves of uranium, coal, copper and nickel.


    Some mining companies exploring and ravage the desert. In addition, one of the largest diamond mines in the world, is located in Orapa in the Makgadikgadi Pans, a depression in the northeast of the Kalahari.