ABSTRACT
The Sperrgebiet is a desert area stretching some 300km north to south and 100km inland from the coast. It is the ‘Forbidden Territory’ comprising an area also known as Diamond Area 1 in the southwest of Namibia (Figure C6.8.1), and it has been closed off to the general public for nearly a century. The area came to prominence in 1908 when the first diamond was found in the desert near Lüderitz, sparking a major diamond rush. Conditions on the diamond fields were chaotic and the German Government (then the colonial power in Namibia) was concerned about illegal mining and the security of the diamonds. In an effort to control these problems, the Sperrgebiet was proclaimed as a prohibited area in 1908. Although sole prospecting and mining rights were granted over the entire 30,000km2 area, diamond mining was confined to those areas where diamonds occurred: a narrow strip along the coast and along the banks of the Orange River. However, the exclusive licence was retained so that the intervening 100km could act as a security buffer. This has meant that the Sperrgebiet has effectively been preserved as a pristine wilderness throughout much of its extent. The irony is that, whilst the area has benefited from de facto preservation, the same restrictions on access have meant that very few scientific investigations have been carried out. However, whilst the detail of its biodiversity may not be known, it is recognized that the Sperrgebiet falls within one of the world’s top 25 biodiversity hot spots. In addition, the area is rich in archaeological sites, has a remarkable geology, a fascinating history and a breathtaking landscape and seascape. Sperrgebiet: Location https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781849772631/ea9dcf52-6929-4c66-a52a-45ca0d095adb/content/figC6_8_1_C.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>
