Few people lived permanently in Erongo prior to the arrival of foreign settlers and traders about 150 years. Fresh water for both people and livestock was usually hard to find, grazing was often in short supply and crops were difficult to grow. These inhospitable conditions meant the local environment remained largely unspoiled. The only original, perhaps indigenous coastal inhabitants are limited to a few hundred Topnaar people who live mainly in Walvis Bay and along the Kuiseb River. Currently, about 110,000 people live in Erongo's three main coastal towns and this number is growing rapidly. In addition to the coastal residents, the number of people changes dramatically seasonally, with a huge influx of holiday-makers to the coast in December and January. Environmental impacts are increasing as result of the escalation of exploration and mining activities along the coast and varied impacts from tourism.