Bogenfels is a location in the coastal Namib Desert of Namibia, noted for its natural rock formations (hence the name, which means "arch rock" in German).[1] The main formation is a 55-metre (180 ft) high rock arch close to the coast. It is not easily accessible, due to the terrain and its location within a restricted diamond-mining area Sperrgebiet, at 27° 28'S, about 95 kilometres (59 mi) south of Lüderitz and 32 kilometres (20 mi) south of Pomona but there are official guided tours.
Geology[edit]
With its highest point at 55 metres (180 ft) above sea level, the formation is a mix of hard dolomite and soft shale.
Settlement[edit]
A settlement developed in the area after diamonds were discovered. In 1950, it was evacuated and has remained a ghost town since.[citation needed] A private narrow-gauge electrified railway once served the diamond mining industry. It ran 119 kilometres (74 mi) via Pomona to Kolmanskop and was powered by a 1.5 megawatts (2,000 hp) power station in Lüderitz. It was completed in 1913 but destroyed in World War I in 1915 by South African troops.[2][3]
Philately[edit]
From 1931 to 1996, South West Africa and later Namibia issued postage stamps depicting the Bogenfels.
References[edit]
- ^ Cassidy, Joseph. Place Names of Namibia: A Historical Dictionary. Macmillan Education Namibia Publishers (Pty) Ltd. p. 1. ISBN 978-99916-0-654-5.
- ^ Dierks, Klaus, "The German Period 1895–1915", The Development of the Namibian Railway Network, retrieved 15 November 2023
- ^ Dierks, Klaus, Namibias Schmalspureisenbahnen erschließen Afrikas letzte Wildnis. Namibias Schienenverkehr zwischen Aufbau und Rückgang [Namibia's Narrow-Gauge Railways Develop Africa's Last Wilderness. Rise and Fall of Namibia's Railway Transport] (in German), retrieved 15 November 2023
27°27′38″S 15°23′31″E / 27.46056°S 15.39194°E