Luderitz (Namibia)

Luderitz is a port town wit hdeep-water harbour in southern Namibia. The port was developed around Shark Island and Robert Harbour. The town has population around 13,000 and is famous for its colonial architecture and wildlife (penguins, seals, ostriches, flamingos).

• Luderitz harbour features a shallow rock bottom, which makes it unusable for modern vessels. This fact led to Walvis Bay now becoming the centre Namibia's marine shipping industry. However, the addition of new quay allowed bigger fishing ships to dock at Luderitz.
• The town has a newly-developed waterfront area with shops and offices. Outside the city is the ghost town Kolmanskop - a popular tourist destination.
• Region's coastline is recognised as IBA (Important Bird Area) home to coastal breeding seabirds. Halifax Island, Ichaboe Island, Possession Islands and Mercury Island support the Namibian breeding population of Morus capensis (Cape gannets), 96% of the Namibian population of the endangered African penguins, and nearly 1/4 of the global breeding population of crowned cormorants. About 80% of the global population of endangered Bank cormorants breed on Mercury and Ichaboe Islands.
• Haviside's dolphins are often seen close to coast. Bigger whales (southern right, pygmy right, minke, fin, humpback) are less common but slowly increasing in numbers.