The name assigned to the region reflects the prominence of the Karas mountain range in its southern part.

The ǁKharas region contains the municipality of Keetmanshoop, the towns Karasburg, Lüderitz and Oranjemund, and the self-governed villages Aroab, Berseba, Bethanie, Koës and Tses.

[6] The region is predominantly a small stock-farming area, the stock mostly consisting of animals such as sheep or goats.

Notable places in the region include the harbour town of Lüderitz and its fishing and boat-building industry, the diamond areas along the coast—both on- and off shore—with Oranjemund as the main centre, mining enterprises in the southern part of Namibia such as the Haib mine, (Klein Karas area, Rosh Pinah), the Kudu Gas field in the Atlantic Ocean near Lüderitz, and small-scale industries in Lüderitz and Keetmanshoop.

The Hot Water Springs at Ai-Ais, the Hot Water Springs in Warmbad, the Kokerboom Forest (Quiver Tree Forest) near Keetmanshoop, the Fish River Canyon (the second-largest in the world), the Brukkaros Mountain (a former volcano) near Berseba, the coastal town Lüderitz, and several guest and game farms have become important tourist attractions.

The economic growth potential of the area is considerable, but needs an intensive general development policy.

Keetmanshoop is considered as the capital of the south and has direct air, railway, and road links with Windhoek.

For those 15 years old or older and not in the labor force (24%), 28% were students, 40% homemakers, and 32% retired or unable to work.

[18] Among households, 94% had safe water, 26% no toilet facility, 50% electricity for lighting, 81% access to radio, and 35% had wood or charcoal for cooking.

In terms of households' main sources of income, 7% derived it from farming, 69% from wages and salaries, 6% cash remittances, 5% from business or nonfarming, and 10% from pension.