The town is situated along the major B1 national highway and the railway line connecting the capital, Windhoek, with Keetmanshoop in the south.
The town is named after Maria Brandt, the wife of its German founder, Herman Brandt.
Mariental is often described as an ideal base or "gateway" for travelers wishing to explore the red dunes and unique flora and fauna of the southern Kalahari Desert.
Hardap Dam: Located near the town is the Hardap Dam, Namibia's second-largest reservoir.
Thanks to irrigation from this dam, agriculture (vegetables and citrus fruits) is practiced in the surrounding area.
The area around the reservoir is also popular for recreation and wildlife viewing.
The local economy relies heavily on livestock farming (particularly sheep and ostriches) and tourism.
Many travelers touring Namibia use Mariental as a comfortable stopover (for example, en route to Fish River Canyon or Sossusvlei).
Mariental has a hot desert climate, featuring extremely hot summers and mild winters with cold nights.
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