A few kilometres from Lüderitz, the desert sands are abruptly pierced by dark granite protrusions, the wind blows the coldness of the ocean and the town appears at the bend of the last dunes. In the shadow of the pink belfry of the Lutheran church, the cosy houses with pastel and half-timbered facades mingle with the recent villas in the town centre. If the traveller missed this detail, Lüderitz has kept its German colonial colours! The former village of the diamond pioneers has adopted the peaceful rhythm of life of a small fishing port without losing its diamond activity, which is now conducted offshore. The bay of Lüderitz is a natural shelter discovered in 1488 by the first Portuguese sailors. These explorers did not settle in this bay, which they considered hostile, and named Angra Pequena (small bay). They left the Dias Point cross on the Lüderitz peninsula. Four centuries later, an agent of the Lüderitz firm in Bremen, with the help of the Rhineland mission, bought the whole bay, which was given up by the Nama chief Joseph Frederiks for 10,000 marks and 260 rifles. It was not explained to him until after the contract was signed that the miles in question were Prussian geographical miles four times longer than the British miles. Frederiks thus unwittingly sold all his land. On 7 August 1884, after having obtained the protection of the German government, Adolf Lüderitz raised the first German flag here. Lüderitzbuch was the first town in the former South West Africa. Today, fishing and mining are the main activities of this small town. Tourism is the third most important activity. Lüderitz is an ideal base for visiting the famous ghost town of Kolmanskop and is well worth a stay of one or two nights. There are many activities on offer.

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