The Sperrgebiet, or 'Forbidden Territory', covers some 26 000 km2 in south-western Namibia. Following the discovery of Namibia's first diamond near Kolmanskop in 1908, sole prospecting and mining rights were granted over an area stretching from the Orange River in the south to just north of Lüderitz, and extending 100 km inland from the coast. Although diamond mining was confined to the narrow diamondiferous strips along the coastline and Orange River, general public access to the entire licence area was prohibited except with a special permit. Thus years of diamond-related security has provided de facto preservation and today the Sperrgebiet is a pristine wilderness throughout much of its extent.