Mountainous desert
The land varies from flat, sandy, coastal plains to high sharp mountains of volcanic rock, canyons and the lush Orange River, which forms the border with neighbouring Namibia. UNESCO: "This site sustains the semi-nomadic pastoral livelihood of the Nama people, reflecting seasonal patterns that may have persisted for as much as two millennia in southern Africa. It is the only area where the Nama still construct portable rush-mat houses (haru om) and includes seasonal migrations and grazing grounds, together with stock posts. The pastoralists collect medicinal and other plants and have a strong oral tradition associated with different places and attributes of the landscape".