About half the people make their living by agriculture, mainly from Karakul pelts, livestock, and dairy goods. Unemployment is high, and the country's few manufactures are made up mostly of processed food. There is an extensive mining industry, run principally by foreign-owned companies. Namibia is a major producer of gem-quality diamonds, the country's principal export. Other important minerals are uranium, copper, lead, gold, zinc, silver, tin, and tungsten.
Fishing fleets operate in the Atlantic.
Unrestricted fishing by commercial companies severely depleted the country's supply of certain types of fish, but stocks are being replenished. The central part of the country is served by roads and rail lines that are linked with those of South Africa, its largest trading partner. Namibia is a member of the Southern African Development Community. The earliest inhabitants of Namibia were San hunters and gatherers, who lived there as early as 2,000 years ago. The Herero people settled in the western and northern areas of Namibia around 1600.