Mariental is a city of 10,000 inhabitants in south-central Namibia, lying on the B1 national road 145 miles (232 km) north of Keetmanshoop and 170 miles (274 km) southeast of Windhoek. It lies at an elevation of 3,576 feet (1,090 metres). Mariental is connected to the TransNamib railway line from Windhoek to Keetmanshoop. The town and the surrounding area are in a hot, arid region. Mariental is the administrative capital of the Hardap Region in an area which has long been a centre for the Nama people.