25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)
Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
Languages
Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes
English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages 1% (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama)
