This paper gives an overview of the geological and geomorphological history of the Etosha region in northern Namibia. The long-term evolution of this Iandscape is characterized by a) the Precambrian to earIy Palaeozoic orogeny (Damara Orogeny, Owamboland Basin), b) a long period of geoIogical consolidation and consequently c) a long period of tectonically more or less uneffected terrestrial erosion and denudation and the evolution of the Etosha Basin depocentre. Keywords: Artesian springs, Biotic factors, Chemical groundwater, Climatic differentiation, Damara geosyncline, Fluvial, Fluvio-limnic, Gondwana-Africa, Kalahari, Karoo, Late Westphalian, Mesozoic voIcanic activity, Ondangwa Uplift, Orogenic cycle, Upper Carboniferous.