German South West Africa (Deutsch-Sudwestafrika) is a former German territory situated on the Atlantic coast of southern Africa. The colony has an area of 318,261 sq. mi. (824,293 sq. km.). Capital: Windhoek. ,The first Europeans to land on the shores of the area were 15th century Portuguese navigators. The interior, however, was not explored until the middle of the 18th century. Great Britain annexed the Walvis Bay area in 1878; it was incorporated into the Cape of Good Hope in 1884. The rest of the coastal area was annexed by Germany in 1885. South African forces occupied German South West Africa during World War I. South Africa received it as a League of Nations on Dec. 17, 1920.,, ,South Africa?s mandate was terminated by the United Nations on Oct. 27, 1966. In June 1968 The UN General assembly voted to rename the country Namibia. South Africa found both actions unacceptable. After many years of dispute, independence of Namibia was finally achieved on March 21, 1990. German Reichsbanknoten circulated until 1914.,, Rulers:,,, ,German to 1914 Monetary System:, ,1 Mark = 100 Pfennig ,Germany took formal possession of German New Guinea in 1884. It was administered by the German New Guinea Company until 1899, when control was assumed by the Berman imperial government. On the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Australia occupied the territory and it remained under military control until 1921, when it became an Australian mandate of the League of Nations. During World War II, between 1942 and 1945, the territory was occupied by Japan. Following the Japanese surrender, it was administered by Australia under the United Nations trusteeship system. In 1949, Papua and New Guinea were combined as one administrative unit known as Papua New Guinea, which attained internal autonomy on Dec. 1, 1973. Papua New Guinea achieved full independence on Sept. 16, 1975. ,German Reichsbanknoten and Reichkassenscheine circulated until 1914. Rulers:, ,German, 1884-1914 ,Australian, 1914-1942, 1945-1975 ,Japanese, 1942-1945 Monetary System:,,, ,1 Mark = 100 Pfennig,,