Location and Geography - The Namib Desert follows the coast of Namibia for approximately 2000 kilometers and varies in width from 80 to 200 kilometers where it meets the Namib Escarpment. Characterized by extensive dunes, the sands that make up these prevalent features are thought to be a consequence of erosional processes that take place within the Orange River valley and areas further to the south. As sand-laden Waters drop their loads into the Atlantic, onshore currents deposit them along the shore. The prevailing southwesterlies then picked up and redeposit them in the form of massive dunes and a widespread sand sea. In areas where the supply of sand is reduced because of dunes inability to cross river beds, the winds also scours the land to form large gravel plains (Walker 1986).