Windhoek Windhuk, ǀAiǁGams, Otjomuise |
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City | ||
Late-May 2005 aerial photograph of Windhoek
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Location of Windhoek in Namibia | ||
Coordinates: 22°34′12″S 17°5′1″E / 22.57000°S 17.08361°ECoordinates: 22°34′12″S 17°5′1″E / 22.57000°S 17.08361°E | ||
Country | Namibia | |
Region | Khomas Region | |
Settled | 1840 | |
Government | ||
• Mayor | Muesee Kazapua | |
• Deputy Mayor | Hangapo Veico | |
Area | ||
• Total | 5,133 km2 (1,982 sq mi) | |
Population (2011) | ||
• Total | 325,858 | |
• Density | 62.8/km2 (163/sq mi) | |
Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) | |
• Summer (DST) | WAST (UTC+2) | |
Climate | BSh |
Windhoek (/ˈvɪnt.hʊk/ VINT-huuk; German: Windhuk ; Khoekhoe: ǀAiǁgams; Otjiherero: Otjomuise) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level, almost exactly at the country's geographical centre. The population of Windhoek in 2011 was 325,858, growing continually due to an influx from all over Namibia.
The town developed at the site of a permanent spring known to the indigenous pastoral communities. It developed rapidly after Jonker Afrikaner, Captain of the Orlam, settled here in 1840 and built a stone church for his community. In the decades following, multiple wars and armed hostilities resulted in the neglect and destruction of the new settlement. Windhoek was founded a second time in 1890 by Imperial German Army Major Curt von François, when the territory became colonised by Germany.