The Sperrgebiet (German, meaning "Prohibited Area") (also known as Diamond Area 1) is a diamond mining area in southwestern Namibia, in the Namib Desert. It spans the Atlantic Ocean-facing coast from Oranjemund on the border with South Africa, to around 45 miles (72 km) north of Lüderitz, a distance of 320 km (200 mi) north. The Sperrgebiet extends to around 100 km (62 mi) inland, and its total area of 26,000 km²,[2] or 10,400 square miles,[3] makes up three percent of Namibia's land mass.[4] However, mining only takes place in five percent of the Sperrgebiet,[5] with most of the area acting as a buffer zone.[6] Members of the public are banned from entering most of the area, despite the creation of a national park there in 2004.[7]