Namibia was first inhabited by several ethnic groups but came under pressure from migrating tribes starting over 2,300 years ago. In 1884, Namibia became a German colony called South West Africa. After Germany lost control in WWI, South Africa gained control and imposed segregation policies until Namibian independence in 1990 after a war against South African forces. Namibia faces challenges of little arable land, needing to import food, and lack of sufficient fresh water to support its population.