Oranjemund
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Oranjemund ("Orange mouth" in German) is a town situated in the extreme southwest of Namibia, on the northern bank of the Orange River mouth. It exists purely to service the diamond industry and has a population of approximately 11,000. However, access is restricted to employees and their relatives, and even though it is a border post to South Africa, only persons with passes are allowed in.
It was first established in 1936 following Hans Merensky's discovery of significant alluvial diamond deposits on the north bank of the Orange River and the adjacent northern coastline. Production of mainly gem-quality diamonds has remained in the region of 2 million carats (400 kg) per year since inception of the mine, mainly through improvements in technology.
The town has every facility imaginable, with beautiful gardens, efficient services and a plentiful supply of fresh food in the shops, in order to keep the employees satisfied in this remote place. It is located in a desert fairyland, with no tourist trade or through roads.
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