View source for Windhoek

{{short description|Capital and largest city of Namibia}}
{{Use South African English|date=October 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Windhoek
| official_name      = City of Windhoek
| native_name        = {{small|{{native name|naq|ǀAi-ǁGams}}}}<br>{{small|{{native name|hz|Otjomuise}}}}<br>{{small|{{native name|de|Windhuk}}}}
| nickname           = 
| settlement_type    = [[Capital city]]
| motto              = {{langnf|la|Suum Cuique|To each his own}}
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
 |perrow        = 1/2/2/2/1
 |border        = infobox
 |total_width   = 290
 |caption_align = center
 |image1        = Windhoek-269058_1920.jpg
 |caption1      = [[Windhoek Central Business District|Windhoek CBD]]
 |image2        = Eglise luthérienne de Windhoek (1).jpg
 |caption2      = [[Christ Church, Windhoek|Christ Church]]
 |image3        = Windhuk Independence Memorial Museum Blick auf den Tintenpalast 6.jpg
 |caption3      = [[Parliament Building, Windhoek|Parliament Building]]
 |image4        = Laika ac New State House (8406704947).jpg
 |caption4      = [[State House, Windhoek|State House]]
 |image5        = Bahnhof Windhoek.jpg
 |caption5      = [[Windhoek railway station]]
 |color         = white}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Windhoek.gif
| flag_size          = 140px
| image_seal         = 
| seal_size          = 
| image_shield       = Windhoek COA.svg
| shield_size        = 80px
| image_blank_emblem = 
| blank_emblem_type  = 
| blank_emblem_size  = 
| image_map          = 
| mapsize            = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = Namibia#Africa
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Windhoek in [[Namibia]]
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Namibia}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Namibia|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Khomas Region]]
| subdivision_type2  = 
| subdivision_name2  = 
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_name3  = 
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Mayor-council government]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = [[Ndeshihafela Larandja]] ([[Independent Patriots for Change|IPC]])
| leader_title1      = Deputy Mayor
| leader_name1       = [[Clemencia Hanases]] ([[Popular Democratic Movement|PDM]])
| established_title1 = First settled
| established_date1  = {{start date and age|1840}} 
| established_title2 = Second founding
| established_date2  = {{start date and age|1890|10|18|df=y}}
| area_magnitude     = 
| unit_pref          = 
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 5133
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| population_as_of   = 2023 census
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://nsa.nsa.org.na/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Preliminary-Report-doc-fn.pdf|title=2023 Population & Housing Census Preliminary Report|website=Statistics Namibia|df=dmy|access-date=16 March 2024|archive-date=24 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324152514/https://nsa.nsa.org.na/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Preliminary-Report-doc-fn.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 486,169
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_urban   = 
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 
| population_blank1_title = Ethnicities
| population_blank1  = 
| population_density_blank1_km2 = 
| population_density_blank1_sq_mi = 
| timezone           = [[Central Africa Time|CAT]]
| utc_offset         = +02:00
| coordinates        = {{coord|22|34|12|S|17|5|1|E|region:NA|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 1655
| elevation_ft       = 5430
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in Namibia|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 10005
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in Namibia|Area code]]
| area_code          = 061
| blank_name         = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info         = [[BSh]]
| blank1_name        = 
| blank1_info        = 
| website            = {{URL|windhoekcc.org.na}}
}}

'''Windhoek''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɪ|n|d|h|ʊ|k}}; {{IPA|af|ˈvəntɦuk|lang|Af-Windhoek.oga|link=yes}}; {{IPA|de|ˈvɪnthʊk|lang|De-Windhoek.oga|link=yes}}) is the capital and largest city of [[Namibia]]. It is located in central Namibia in the [[Khomas Highland]] plateau area, at around {{cvt|1700|m}} above sea level, almost exactly at the country's geographical centre. The population of Windhoek, which was 486,169 in 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Namibia: Regions, Towns, Villages & Settlements - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/namibia/cities/ |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref> is constantly growing due to a continued migration from other regions in Namibia.

Windhoek is the social, economic, political, and cultural centre of the country. Nearly every Namibian national enterprise, governmental body, educational and cultural institution is headquartered there.

The city developed at the site of a permanent hot spring known to the local [[pastoral]] tribes. It developed rapidly after [[Jonker Afrikaner]], [[Tribal chief|Captain]] of the [[Orlam]], settled there 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 was colonised by the [[German Empire]].

==History==
{{see also|Timeline of Windhoek}}

===Etymology===
Theories vary on how the city got its modern name of ''Windhoek''. Most believe it is derived from the [[Afrikaans]] words {{lang|af|wind}} {{gloss|wind}} and {{lang|af|hoek}} {{gloss|corner}}. Another theory suggests that Captain [[Jonker Afrikaner]] named Windhoek after the [[Winterhoek]] Mountains at [[Tulbagh]] in South Africa, where his ancestors had lived. The first known mention of the name ''Windhoek'' was in a letter from Jonker Afrikaner to Joseph Tindall, dated 12 August 1844.<ref name="DierksK1">{{cite web |url=http://www.klausdierks.com/images/Khauxanas/1introduction.htm |last=Dierks |first=Klaus |author-link=Klaus Dierks |title=The History of ǁKhauxaǃnas. Introduction. |access-date=9 July 2010 |archive-date=26 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926132644/http://www.klausdierks.com/images/Khauxanas/1introduction.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Early settlement===
In 1840 [[Jonker Afrikaner]] established an Orlam settlement at Windhoek.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Orlams Afrikaners – the Creole Africans of the Garieb |publisher=Cape Slavery Heritage |url=http://cape-slavery-heritage.iblog.co.za/category/new-creole-identities/page/4/ |access-date=8 July 2010}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He and his followers stayed near one of the main hot springs, located in the present-day [[Klein Windhoek]] suburb.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tonchi |first1=Victor L |last2=Lindeke |first2=William A |last3=Grotpeter |first3=John J |title=Historical Dictionary of Namibia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mls4H1mnN_0C |edition=2 |series=Historical Dictionaries of Africa, African historical dictionaries |year=2012 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=9780810879904 |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421060538/https://books.google.com/books?id=Mls4H1mnN_0C |url-status=live}}</ref> He built a stone church that held 500 people; it was also used as a school. Two [[Rhenish Missionary Society|Rhenish]] [[missionaries]], [[Carl Hugo Hahn]] and [[Franz Heinrich Kleinschmidt]], started working there in late 1842. Two years later they were driven out by two Methodist [[Wesleyans]], Richard Haddy and Joseph Tindall.<ref>{{cite book |last=Vedder |first=Heinrich |author-link=Heinrich Vedder |title=Das alte Südwestafrika. Südwestafrikas Geschichte bis zum Tode Mahareros 1890 |trans-title=The Old South West Africa. South West Africa's History until Maharero's death 1890 |language=de |year=1997 |edition=7th |publisher=Namibia Scientific Society |location=Windhoek |isbn=0-949995-33-9}}</ref><ref name="DierkbioA">{{cite web |url=http://www.klausdierks.com/Biographies/Biographies_A.htm |last=Dierks |first=Klaus |author-link=Klaus Dierks |title=Biographies of Namibian Personalities, A (entry for Jonker Afrikaner) |publisher=klausdiers.com |access-date=1 October 2011 |archive-date=4 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804032931/http://www.klausdierks.com/Biographies/Biographies_A.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Gardens were laid out and for a while Windhoek prospered. A series of wars between the [[Nama people|Nama]] and [[Herero people|Herero]] tribes eventually destroyed the settlement. After a long absence, Hahn visited Windhoek again in 1873 and was dismayed to see that nothing remained of the town's former prosperity. In June 1885, a Swiss [[botanist]] found only [[jackals]] and starving [[guinea fowl]] amongst neglected fruit trees.<ref name="windhoekcc">{{Cite web |url=http://www.windhoekcc.org.na/default.aspx?page=30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221153905/http://www.windhoekcc.org.na/default.aspx?page=30 |url-status=dead |title=Windhoek City Council: The History of Windhoek |archive-date=21 February 2010}}</ref>

===Colonial era===
[[File:Windhuk.jpg|thumb|Windhoek before 1908]]
[[File:Windhuk stamp.jpg|thumbnail|170px|German South West Africa stamp postmarked ''Windhuk'']]
[[File:Sanderburg.jpg|thumb|[[Sanderburg]], one of the three castles of Windhoek]]
A request by merchants from [[Lüderitzbucht]] resulted in the declaration in 1884 of a German [[protectorate]] over what was called [[German South West Africa]] (''Deutsch-Südwestafrika''), now Namibia. The borders of the German colony were determined in 1890 and Germany sent a protective corps, the ''[[Imperial Schutztruppe for German South West Africa|Schutztruppe]]'' under Major [[Curt von&nbsp;François]], to maintain order.<ref>Roman Adrian Cybriwsky, ''Capital Cities around the World: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture'', ABC-CLIO, USA, 2013, p. 338</ref> Von&nbsp;François stationed his garrison at Windhoek, which was strategically situated as a buffer between the warring [[Nama people|Nama]] and [[Herero people|Herero]] peoples.<ref>{{cite news |title=Verona, the last grandchild of Von&nbsp;François |last1=Mbathera |first1=Ester |last2=Pinehas |first2=Tutaleni |newspaper=[[The Namibian]] |date=17 November 2021 |page=6 |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/107420/read/Verona-the-last-grandchild-of-Von-Fran%C3%A7ois |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117143749/https://www.namibian.com.na/107420/read/Verona-the-last-grandchild-of-Von-Fran%C3%A7ois |url-status=live}}</ref> The twelve strong springs provided water for the cultivation of produce and grains.

Colonial Windhoek was founded on 18 October 1890, when von&nbsp;François fixed the foundation stone of the fort, which is now known as the [[Alte Feste]] (Old Fortress).<ref name="DierkbioV">{{cite web |url=http://www.klausdierks.com/Biographies/Biographies_V.htm |last=Dierks |first=Klaus |author-link=Klaus Dierks |title=Biographies of Namibian Personalities, V (entry for Curt von&nbsp;François) |publisher=klausdiers.com |access-date=1 October 2011 |archive-date=24 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224104612/http://klausdierks.com/Biographies/Biographies_V.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="curtfarewell">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-63728105 |language=en-GB |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=23 November 2022 |access-date=2022-11-23 |last=Chothia |first=Farouk |title=Namibia pulls down German colonial officer's statue in Windhoek |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123142819/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-63728105 |url-status=live}}</ref> After 1907, development accelerated as indigenous people migrated from the countryside to the growing town to seek work. More European settlers arrived from Germany and South Africa. Businesses were erected on Kaiser Street (presently [[Independence Avenue (Windhoek)|Independence Avenue]]), and along the dominant mountain ridge over the city. At this time, Windhoek's three castles, [[Heinitzburg]], [[Sanderburg]], and [[Schwerinsburg]], were built.

===South African administration after World War I===
The German colonial era came to an end after the end of [[World War I]] but [[South West Africa]], and with it Windhoek, had already fallen in 1915.<ref>Britannica, [https://www.britannica.com/place/Windhoek Windhoek] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321190021/https://www.britannica.com/place/Windhoek |date=21 March 2019}}, britannica.com, USA, accessed on July 7, 2019</ref> Until the end of the war, the city was administered by a South African military government, and no further development occurred.<ref name=CoWnew>{{cite web |title=The History of Windhoek |publisher=City of Windhoek |url=http://www.windhoekcc.org.na/tour_history_heritage.php |access-date=26 October 2020 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029074218/http://www.windhoekcc.org.na/tour_history_heritage.php |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1920, after the [[Treaty of Versailles]], the territory was placed under a [[League of Nations]] [[League of Nations mandate#Class C mandates|Class C mandate]] and again administered by South Africa.<ref name="geography">Ieuan Griffiths,[https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/40572467.pdf Walvis Bay: exclave no more] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303123113/https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/40572467.pdf |date=3 March 2016}} ''Geography'', Vol. 79, No. 4 (October 1994), page 354</ref>

After [[World War II]], more capital became available to improve the area's economy. After 1955, large public projects were undertaken, such as the building of new schools and hospitals, tarring of the city's roads (a project begun in 1928 with Kaiser Street), and the building of dams and pipelines to stabilise the water supply.<ref name="windhoekcc"/> The city introduced the world's first potable re-use plant in 1958, treating recycled sewage and sending it directly into the town's water supply.<ref>[http://ag.arizona.edu/oals/ALN/aln56/dupisani.html "Surviving in an arid land: Direct reclamation of potable water at Windhoek's Goreangab Reclamation Plant"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606065428/http://ag.arizona.edu/oals/ALN/aln56/dupisani.html |date=6 June 2011}} by Petrus Du Pisani</ref> On 1 October 1966, the then Administrator of South West Africa granted Windhoek the coat of arms, which was registered on 2 October 1970 with the South African Bureau of Heraldry. Initially a stylized aloe was the principal emblem, but this was amended to a natural aloe (''[[Aloe littoralis]]'') on 15 September 1972. The Coat of Arms is described as "A Windhoek aloe with a [[raceme]] of three flowers on an island. Crest: A mural crown [[Or (heraldry)|Or]]. Motto: SUUM CUIQUE (''To each their own'')".<ref>{{cite web |last=Berry |first=Bruce |date=12 February 2014 |url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/na-wind.html |title=Windhoek (Namibia) |website=www.crwflags.com |access-date=8 September 2017 |archive-date=7 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207053954/http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/na-wind.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Windhoek formally received its [[town privileges]] on 18 October 1965 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the second foundation of the town by von François.<ref name=Stadtrecht>{{cite news |title=Windhoek erhielt heute Stadtrechte |trans-title=Windhoek received town privileges today |language=de |newspaper=[[Allgemeine Zeitung (Namibia)|Allgemeine Zeitung]] |date=18 October 1965 |edition=2015 reprint}}</ref>

In 1971, the [[1971–72 Namibian contract workers strike|Namibian general contract workers]] started from Windhoek with the goal of abolishing the contract labour system, opposing [[apartheid]], and promoting Namibia's independence.<ref name="general">{{cite journal |last=Rogers |first=Barbara |date=1972 |title=Namibia's General Strike |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4185227 |journal=Africa Today |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=3–8 |issn=0001-9887 |jstor=4185227}}</ref>

===Since Namibian independence===
Since independence in 1990, Windhoek has remained the national capital, as well as the provincial capital of the central [[Khomas Region]]. Since independence and the end of warfare, the city has had accelerated growth and development.

==Economy ==
The city is the administrative, commercial, and industrial centre of Namibia. A 1992/93 study estimated that Windhoek provides over half of Namibia's non-agricultural employment, with its national share of employment in utilities being 96%, in transport and communication 94%, finance and business services 82%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polytechnic.edu.na/academics/schools/engine_infotech/civil/lecturing/upd410s_module/(11.4)Windhoek%20Structure%20Plan%20Report.pdf |title=The Windhoek Structure Plan |year=1996 |publisher=City of Windhoek |page=6 |access-date=2 July 2013}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Due to its relative size<ref>The second biggest city in Namibia, [[Walvis Bay]], has 43,700 inhabitants: {{cite news |title=ELECTIONS 2010: Erongo regional profile |publisher=[[New Era (Namibia)|New Era]] |url=http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=14109 |date=16 November 2010 |access-date=16 November 2010 |archive-date=16 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316095900/http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=14109 |url-status=live}}</ref> Windhoek is, even more than many other national capital cities, the social, economic, and cultural centre of the country. The [[University of Namibia]] is based in the city, as well as nearly every national enterprise, including the country's only theatre, all ministry head offices, and all major media and financial entities.<ref name=profile>{{cite news |title=ELECTIONS 2010: Khomas Region profile |last=Kapitako |first=Alvine |newspaper=[[New Era (Namibia)|New Era]] |date=12 November 2010 |url=http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=14052 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205005928/http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=14052 |archive-date=5 December 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The governmental budget of the city of Windhoek nearly equals those of all other Namibian local authorities combined.<ref name="newera1">{{cite news |url=http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=9515 |last=Heita |first=Desie |title=Owning a house ... a dream deferred |date=11 February 2010 |newspaper=[[New Era (Namibia)|New Era]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055306/http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=9515 |archive-date=16 July 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Of the 3,300 US$-millionaires in Namibia, 1,400 live in Windhoek.<ref>{{cite news |title=Namibians 3rd wealthiest people in Africa |last=Nakashole |first=Ndama |date=24 April 2017 |newspaper=[[The Namibian]] |page=13 |url=http://www.namibian.com.na/53749/read/Namibians-3rd-wealthiest-people-in-Africa |access-date=6 May 2017 |archive-date=18 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618005115/http://www.namibian.com.na/53749/read/Namibians-3rd-wealthiest-people-in-Africa |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Windhoek Correctional Facility is the largest of Namibia's seven major prisons.<ref>{{Cite news | title=743 convicts in jail for rape | last=Vatileni | first=Eino | newspaper=[[The Namibian]] | date=15 February 2022 | page=1 | url=https://www.namibian.com.na/743-convicts-in-jail-for-rape/}}</ref>

==Transport==

===Road===
[[File:Windhoek-Skyline.jpg|thumb|Windhoek skyline]]
[[File:Independence Avenue Windhoek Namibia.jpg|thumb|[[Independence Avenue (Windhoek)|Independence Avenue]]]]
Windhoek's three main access roads from [[Rehoboth, Namibia|Rehoboth]], [[Gobabis]], and [[Okahandja]] are paved, and are designed to be able to withstand the largest possible flood to be expected in fifty years. Sealed roads can carry traffic moving at {{cvt|120|km/h}} and should last for 20 years.

In 1928, Kaiserstraße, now [[Independence Avenue (Windhoek)|Independence Avenue]], was the first paved road in Windhoek. Ten years later the next one, Gobabis road, now Sam Nujoma Drive, was also paved. Today, out of approximately {{cvt|40000|km}} of Namibia's total road network, about {{cvt|5000|km}} is [[paved road|sealed]].

In 2014, The Roads Authority planned to upgrade the Windhoek-[[Okahandja]]  road to a dual carriageway. It would cost about N$1&nbsp;billion and was expected to be completed in 2021. Later on, they also planned to upgrade the Windhoek and Hosea Kutako International Airport to a dual carriageway. This was expected to be completed in 2022.

As everywhere in Namibia, public transport is scarce and transportation across town is largely done by taxi; there were 6,492 registered taxis in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=A glimpse into the taxi industry |last=Shipanga |first=Selma |date=3 April 2013 |work=[[The Namibian]] |pages=6–7}}</ref>

===Air===
Windhoek is served by two airports, with the closest one being [[Eros Airport]], located {{cvt|7|km}} south of the city centre for smaller craft, and the other being [[Hosea Kutako International Airport]], {{cvt|42|km}} east of the city. A number of foreign airlines operate to and from Windhoek. Air charters and helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft rentals are also available.

[[File:Hosea Kutako International Airport, Namibia (2017).jpg|thumb|left|Airport with [[air traffic control]] tower (2017)]]

Hosea Kutako International Airport handles over 800,000 passengers a year. It has one runway without capacity limitations. The other international airport is located in [[Walvis Bay]], with domestic airports at [[Lüderitz]], [[Oranjemund]], and [[Ondangwa]].

Eros Airport is the busiest airport in Namibia in terms of takeoffs and landings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airports.com.na/eros.php |title=Namibia Airports Company |access-date=9 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904002500/http://www.airports.com.na/eros.php |archive-date=4 September 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> This city airport handles approximately 150 to 200 movements per day, amounting to roughly 50,000 per year. In 2004, the airport served 141,605 passengers, the majority of which are light aircraft. Primarily, limitations such as runway length, noise, and air space congestion have kept Eros from developing into a larger airport. Most of Namibia's charter operators have Eros as their base.

===Rail===
[[File:Estación de ferrocarril, Windhoek, Namibia, 2018-08-04, DD 13.jpg|thumb|Windhoek Railway Station]]
Windhoek is [[Rail transport in Namibia|connected by rail]] to:

*[[Okahandja]] (north)
*[[Rehoboth, Namibia|Rehoboth]] (south)
*[[Gobabis]] (east)

==Geography==
[[File:Windhoek Luftaufnahme.jpg|thumb|[[Auas Mountains]]]]
[[File:Rainy season clouds outskirt of Windhoek.jpg|thumb|Rainy season]]
Expanding the town area has – apart from financial restrictions – proven to be challenging due to its geographical location. In southern, eastern and western directions, Windhoek is surrounded by rocky, mountainous areas, which make land development costly. The southern side is not suitable for industrial development because of the presence of underground [[aquifers]]. This leaves the vast [[Brakwater]] area north of town the only feasible place for Windhoek's expansion.<ref name="newera2">[http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=9494 "Windhoek's battle for land"] {{Webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20121209032607/http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=9494 |date=9 December 2012 }}, by Desie Heita; ''New Era,'' 10 Feb 2010</ref>

Windhoek's city council has plans to dramatically expand the city's boundaries such that the town area will cover {{cvt|5133.4|sqkm}}. Windhoek would become the third-largest city in the world by area,{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} after [[Tianjin]] and [[Istanbul]], although its population density is only 63 inhabitants per square kilometre.<ref name=slaan>{{cite news |title=Windhoek slaan Afrika-rekord |trans-title=Windhoek beats Africa record |date=2 July 2013 |last=Retief |first=Christo |newspaper=[[Die Republikein]] |url=http://www.republikein.com.na/regering/windhoek-slaan-afrika-rekord.207163 |access-date=2 July 2013 |archive-date=24 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324055814/http://www.republikein.com.na/regering/windhoek-slaan-afrika-rekord.207163 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Suburbs===
Windhoek is subdivided into the following suburbs and townships:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polytechnic.edu.na/academics/schools/engine_infotech/civil/lecturing/upd410s_module/(11.4)Windhoek%20Structure%20Plan%20Report.pdf |title=The Windhoek Structure Plan |year=1996 |publisher=City of Windhoek |pages=11–12 |access-date=2 July 2013}}{{Dead link |date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

'''Suburbs'''
{{div col |colwidth=15em}}
*Academia
*Auasblick
*Avis 
*[[Cimbebasia (Windhoek suburb)|Cimbebasia]]
*Dorado Park
*Eros
*[[Goreangab]]
*[[Groot Aub]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Groot Aub incorporated into Windhoek |last=Ngatjiheue |first=Charmaine |date=11 September 2017 |newspaper=[[The Namibian]] |page=5 |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/59009/read/Groot-Aub-incorporated-into-Windhoek |access-date=12 September 2017 |archive-date=12 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912194314/https://www.namibian.com.na/59009/read/Groot-Aub-incorporated-into-Windhoek  |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Brakwater]]
*[[Hakahana]]
*[[Hochland Park]]
*[[Katutura]]
*[[Khomasdal]]
*[[Kleine Kuppe]]
*[[Klein Windhoek]]
*Lafrenz Industrial Area
*Ludwigsdorf
*Luxury Hill (Luxushügel) 
*Northern Industrial Area
*[[Okuryangava]]
*[[Olympia (Windhoek)|Olympia]]
*[[Otjomuise]]
*[[Pioneers Park]]
*Prosperita
*Rocky Crest
*Southern Industrial Area
*Suiderhof
*Tauben Glen
*[[Wanaheda]]
*[[Windhoek Central Business District|Windhoek Central]]
*Windhoek North
*[[Windhoek West]]
{{div col end}}

'''Townships'''
{{div col |colwidth=15em}}
*Babilon
*Big Bend
*[[Elisenheim]]
*Eros Park
*Freedom Land
*[[Greenwell Matongo]]
*[[Havana (Windhoek suburb)|Havana]]
*Havana North
*Kilimanjaro
*Maxuilili
*Ombili
*Oohambo Dha Nehale
*[[John Pandeni Constituency|Soweto]]
{{div col end}}

In many of Windhoek's townships residents live in [[shack]]s. In 2020 the city had a total of 41,900 of these informal housing structures, accommodating close to 100,000 inhabitants.<ref>{{cite news |title=Namibia's ghetto life: Half million live in shacks countrywide |last=Nghinomenwa |first=Erastus |newspaper=[[The Namibian]] |date=12 August 2020 |page=1 |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/93627/read/Namibias-ghetto-life-Half-million-live-in-shacks-countrywide |access-date=13 August 2020 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421060538/https://www.namibian.com.na/93627/read/Namibias-ghetto-life-Half-million-live-in-shacks-countrywide  |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Cloudy sky in the capital city of Namibia.jpg|alt=#1Lib1Ref #AfLibWk|thumb|Overcast skies in Windhoek]]

===Climate===
Windhoek has over 300 sunny days per year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine-in-Namibia |title=Climate and average monthly weather in Namibia |website=weather-and-climate.com |access-date=20 July 2017 |archive-date=3 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403145019/https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine-in-Namibia |url-status=live}}</ref> It experiences a hot [[semi-arid climate]] (''BSh'') according to [[Köppen climate classification]] as the annual average temperature is above {{cvt|18|C}}. The temperature throughout the year would be called mild, due to altitude influence. The annual average high and low temperature range is {{cvt|13.4|C-change}}. The coldest month is July, with an average temperature of {{cvt|13.1|C}}, while the hottest month is December, with average temperature {{cvt|23.5|C}}. Due to its location near the [[Kalahari Desert]], the city receives 3,605 hours of sunshine. Precipitation is abundant during the summer season, and minimal during the winter season. The average annual precipitation is {{cvt|367.4|mm}}, with lows of {{cvt|106.7|mm}} in the 2018/19 rainy season, and {{cvt|97|mm}} in 1929/30.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Khomas faces worst drought in 90 years |last1=Menges |first1=Werner |last2=Oliveira |first2=Yokany |newspaper=[[The Namibian]] |date=23 May 2019 |page=1 |url=https://www.namibian.com.na/78826/read/Khomas-faces-worst-drought-in-90-years |access-date=25 May 2019 |archive-date=25 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525090528/https://www.namibian.com.na/78826/read/Khomas-faces-worst-drought-in-90-years  |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Weather box
|location = Windhoek (1728 m), Namibia
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 36.0
|Feb record high C = 35.8
|Mar record high C = 34.9
|Apr record high C = 31.3
|May record high C = 31.8
|Jun record high C = 26.1
|Jul record high C = 25.7
|Aug record high C = 30.0
|Sep record high C = 33.2
|Oct record high C = 35.1
|Nov record high C = 36.5
|Dec record high C = 36.6

|Jan high C = 30.0
|Feb high C = 28.6
|Mar high C = 27.2
|Apr high C = 25.6
|May high C = 22.7
|Jun high C = 20.2
|Jul high C = 20.5
|Aug high C = 23.4
|Sep high C = 26.5
|Oct high C = 29.1
|Nov high C = 29.6
|Dec high C = 30.7
|year high C = 26.1

|Jan mean C = 23.3
|Feb mean C = 22.1
|Mar mean C = 21.0
|Apr mean C = 18.9
|May mean C = 15.8
|Jun mean C = 13.2
|Jul mean C = 13.1
|Aug mean C = 15.8
|Sep mean C = 19.3
|Oct mean C = 21.7
|Nov mean C = 22.5
|Dec mean C = 23.5
|year mean C = 19.1

|Jan low C = 17.2
|Feb low C = 16.5
|Mar low C = 15.4
|Apr low C = 12.8
|May low C = 9.2
|Jun low C = 6.7
|Jul low C = 6.3
|Aug low C = 8.6
|Sep low C = 11.9
|Oct low C = 14.6
|Nov low C = 15.6
|Dec low C = 16.9
|year low C = 12.7

|Jan record low C = 7.5
|Feb record low C = 6.8
|Mar record low C = 3.7
|Apr record low C = 2.4
|May record low C = -1.6
|Jun record low C = -2.8
|Jul record low C = -2.6
|Aug record low C = -3.9
|Sep record low C = -1.1
|Oct record low C = 1.6
|Nov record low C = 0.4
|Dec record low C = 3.3

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 78.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 80.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 78.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 37.7
|May precipitation mm = 6.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 1.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 0.7
|Aug precipitation mm = 0.9
|Sep precipitation mm = 2.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 11.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 26.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 41.7

|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 11.1
|Feb precipitation days = 10.7
|Mar precipitation days = 10.5
|Apr precipitation days = 5.5
|May precipitation days = 1.9
|Jun precipitation days = 0.7
|Jul precipitation days = 0.5
|Aug precipitation days = 0.3
|Sep precipitation days = 0.9
|Oct precipitation days = 2.8
|Nov precipitation days = 5.3
|Dec precipitation days = 7.5

|Jan humidity = 42
|Feb humidity = 56
|Mar humidity = 51
|Apr humidity = 44
|May humidity = 37
|Jun humidity = 32
|Jul humidity = 27
|Aug humidity = 19
|Sep humidity = 17
|Oct humidity = 22
|Nov humidity = 30
|Dec humidity = 34

|Jan sun = 288
|Feb sun = 254
|Mar sun = 282
|Apr sun = 273
|May sun = 310
|Jun sun = 309
|Jul sun = 326
|Aug sun = 341
|Sep sun = 321
|Oct sun = 319
|Nov sun = 297
|Dec sun = 285
| source 1 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_681100_kt.pdf |title=Klimatafel von Windhuk (Windhoek) / Namibia |publisher=Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure |access-date=2 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512035512/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_681100_kt.pdf |archive-date=12 May 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]] (sun only)<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/tr01-17.pdf |title=Stationsnummer 68110 |publisher=Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate |access-date=2 November 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116071752/http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/tr01-17.pdf |archive-date=16 January 2013 |df=dmy-all}}
</ref>
}}

===Demographics===
In 1971, there were roughly 26,000 white people living in Windhoek, outnumbering the black population of 24,000. About one third of white residents at the time, at least 9,000 individuals, were German speakers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19710718&id=9gorAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YJoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2800,3519162 |title=Reading Eagle – Google News Archive Search |website=news.google.com |access-date=15 November 2015 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117034052/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19710718&id=9gorAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YJoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2800,3519162 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010 the population stood at over 325,858 (65% black; 18% other; 17% white), and has been growing 4% annually in part due to [[informal settlement]]s that have even higher growth rates of nearly 10% a year.<ref name="newera2"/> As of 2020, Windhoek has a population of 431,000.

In public life, [[Afrikaans]], and to a lesser extent [[German language|German]], are still used as lingua francas even though the government only uses English.<ref>Thomas Schoch. 2003. [http://www.visitwindhoek.net/component/content/article/113 ''Visit Windhoek, People and languages''] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20130222170645/http://www.visitwindhoek.net/component/content/article/113 |date=22 February 2013 }}</ref>

{{Historical populations|1981|96,057|1991|147,056|2001|233,529|2011|325,858|2016|395,000|2023|486,169|percentages=pagr|align=none|footnote=source:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/en/namibia/cities/ |title=Namibia: Administrative Division population statistics |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031145132/http://citypopulation.de/en/namibia/cities/ |url-status=live}}</ref>}}

==Politics==
===Local authority elections===
Windhoek is the only self-governed settlement in Khomas Region. It is governed by a multi-party municipal council that has fifteen seats.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Know Your Local Authority |publisher=Institute for Public Policy Research |newspaper=Election Watch |year=2015 |issue=3 |page=4}}</ref> The council meets monthly; its decisions are taken collectively.

[[SWAPO]] won the [[Namibian local and regional elections, 2015|2015 local authority election]] and gained twelve seats, by having 37,533 votes. Three opposition parties gained one seat each: The [[Popular Democratic Movement]] (PDM), formerly DTA, with 4,171 votes, the [[National Unity Democratic Organisation]] (NUDO) with 1,453 votes, and the [[Rally for Democracy and Progress (Namibia)|Rally for Democracy and Progress]] (RDP) with 1,422 votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Local elections results |publisher=[[Electoral Commission of Namibia]] |page=4 |url=http://www.ecn.na/documents/27857/218731/LA+results+%28press+release%29+2015.pdf/870a030b-8547-487f-ad18-b22713b16d4c?version=1.0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210194328/http://www.ecn.na/documents/27857/218731/LA+results+%28press+release%29+2015.pdf/870a030b-8547-487f-ad18-b22713b16d4c?version=1.0 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 2015 |date=28 November 2015}}</ref> SWAPO also won the [[2020 Namibian local and regional elections|2020 local authority election]] but lost the majority control over the town council. It obtained 20,250 votes and gained five seats. The [[Independent Patriots for Change]] (IPC), an opposition party formed in August 2020, obtained 14,028 votes and gained four seats. Two seats each went to the local branch of the [[Affirmative Repositioning]] movement (8,501 votes) and the [[Landless People's Movement (Namibia)|Landless People's Movement]] (LPM, a new party registered in 2018, 7,365 votes). PDM (5,411 votes) and NUDO (1,455 votes) obtained one seat each.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Local Authority Elections Results and Allocation of Seats |page=9 |date=29 November 2020 |publisher=[[Electoral Commission of Namibia]] |url=https://www.ecn.na/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Media-Release-on-LA-Results_2020.pdf |access-date=25 January 2021 |archive-date=24 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124162938/https://www.ecn.na/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Media-Release-on-LA-Results_2020.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Twin towns and sister cities===
{{See also|List_of_twin_towns_and_sister_cities_in_Africa#Namibia|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Namibia}}
Windhoek is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayoral Annual Report 2016 |url=http://documents.windhoekcc.org.na/Content/Documents/Mayoral%20Report%202016.pdf |website=windhoekcc.org.na |publisher=Windhoek |page=34 |date=2016 |access-date=2020-10-21 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021215212/http://documents.windhoekcc.org.na/Content/Documents/Mayoral%20Report%202016.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Twinning agreements |url=https://www.joburg.org.za/about_/Pages/About%20the%20City/About%20Joburg/Twinning-Agreements-.aspx |website=joburg.org.za |publisher=City of Johannesburg |access-date=2020-10-21 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026225338/https://www.joburg.org.za/about_/Pages/About%20the%20City/About%20Joburg/Twinning-Agreements-.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Namibia's Windhoek, Jamaica's Kingston sign twinning agreement |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-02/06/c_137803189.htm |website=xinhuanet.com |publisher=Xinhua |date=2019-02-06 |access-date=2020-10-21 |archive-date=13 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213005559/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-02/06/c_137803189.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|ETH}} [[Addis Ababa]], Ethiopia<ref>{{Cite news | title=Windhoek and Addis Ababa Sign Twinning Agreement at African Urban Forum | last=Rasmeni | first=Mandisa | newspaper=[[Namibia Economist]] | date=8 September 2024 | url=https://economist.com.na/91007/headlines/windhoek-and-addis-ababa-sign-twinning-agreement-at-african-urban-forum/}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Berlin]], Germany
*{{flagicon|CUB}} [[Havana]], Cuba
*{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Johannesburg]], South Africa
*{{flagicon|JAM}} [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]], Jamaica
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Nanjing]], China
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]], United States
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[San Antonio]], United States
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Shanghai]], China
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Suzhou, Jiangsu|Suzhou]], China
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Trossingen]], Germany
<!--Vantaa - twinning ended, rest - not twinning-->
{{div col end}}

==Culture==
[[File:Museo de la Independencia, Windhoek, Namibia, 2018-08-04, DD 08.jpg|thumb|[[Independence Memorial Museum (Namibia)|Independence Memorial Museum]] (2018)]]
Windhoek is known as the art capital of Namibia. The [[National Art Gallery of Namibia|National Art Gallery]], [[National Theatre of Namibia|National Theatre]] and the [[National Museum of Namibia|National Museum]] are all located here. Two locations are part of the National Museum,<ref>https://www.museums.com.na/museums/windhoek/national-museum-of-namibia {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511144231/https://www.museums.com.na/museums/windhoek/national-museum-of-namibia |date=11 May 2019 }} National Museum of Namibia</ref> the [[Alte Feste]] (historical) showcases a range of colonial items such as wagons and domestic items, while the [[Owela Museum]] (scientific; named after [[Owela]], a traditional game played with pebbles) contains displays of minerals, fossils and meteorites and gives an insight into traditional village life. There are also the [[Independence Memorial Museum (Namibia)|Independence Memorial Museum]], the [[National Library of Namibia]] and the [[Windhoek Public Library]], built in 1925, next to the Alte Feste.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.namibian.com.na/news-articles/national/full-story/archive/2009/february/article/public-library-gets-a-facelift/ |title=National News 19.02.2009 Public library gets a facelift |last=Shejavali |first=Nangula |date=19 February 2009 |work=[[The Namibian]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130112024928/http://www.namibian.com.na/news-articles/national/full-story/archive/2009/february/article/public-library-gets-a-facelift/ |archive-date=12 January 2013 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Places of worship ===
[[File:Kirche Windhuk.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Christ Church, Windhoek]]]]
The [[places of worship]] are predominantly [[Christianity|Christian]] churches and temples: those of [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia]], [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia]], [[German-speaking Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia]] (all three members of the [[Lutheran World Federation]]), [[Baptist Convention of Namibia]] ([[Baptist World Alliance]]), [[Assemblies of God]], [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Windhoek]] ([[Catholic Church]]).<ref>J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices‘‘, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 2012-2013</ref> There are also a few [[Islam]]ic mosques in the city, including the [[Windhoek Islamic Center]].
{{Further|Reformed Church Windhoek-South}}

===Architecture===
[[File:Parlamentsgärten, Windhoek.jpg|thumb|[[Parliament Gardens]]]]
[[File:Südwest Reiter Windhoek.jpg|thumb|The Equestrian Monument]]
*[[Alte Feste]] – (''Old Fortress'') Built in 1890, today houses the National Museum.
*[[Curt von François]] monument in front of the municipality building. Inaugurated on 18 October 1965 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the second foundation of the town by von François. The statue was removed from its location, in front of the municipal grounds, on the 23 November 2022 and will be stored in the local Windhoek City Museum.<ref name=Stadtrecht/>
*[[Heroes' Acre (Namibia)|Heroes' Acre]] – A national war and heroes memorial, about 10&nbsp;km outside of the city.
*[[Independence Memorial Museum (Namibia)]] – A historical museum focusing on the anti-colonial resistance and the national liberation movement of the [[Republic of Namibia]].
*[[National Council (Namibia)]] – The upper chamber of Namibia's bicameral Parliament.
*[[File:Alte Feste Windhoek.jpg|thumb|The [[Alte Feste]]]][[Reiterdenkmal, Windhoek|Reiterdenkmal]] (''Equestrian Monument''), a statue celebrating the victory of the German Empire over the Herero and Nama in the [[Herero and Namaqua Genocide|Herero and Namaqua War]] of 1904–1907<ref name="centenary">{{cite news |url=http://www.namibian.com.na/news-articles/national/full-story/archive/2012/january/article/monuments-centenary-remembered/ |title=Monument's centenary remembered |last=Bause |first=Tanja |date=30 January 2012 |newspaper=[[The Namibian]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209003900/http://www.namibian.com.na/news-articles/national/full-story/archive/2012/january/article/monuments-centenary-remembered/ |archive-date=9 December 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The statue was removed from its historical place next to ''Christuskirche'' in December 2013 and is now on display in the yard of the ''Alte Feste''.<ref name="val">{{cite news |url=http://www.republikein.com.na/kultuur/ruiter-val-op-heiligste-dag.216286 |title=Ruiter val op heiligste dag |trans-title=Rider falls on holiest day |language=af |last=Steynberg |first=Francoise |date=27 December 2013 |work=[[Die Republikein]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701202436/https://www.republikein.com.na/kultuur/ruiter-val-op-heiligste-dag.216286 |archive-date=1 July 2014 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*[[State House, Windhoek]] – The official residence of the [[President of Namibia]].
*[[Supreme Court of Namibia]] – situated in Michael Scott Street on Eliakim Namundjebo Plaza. Built between 1994 and 1996<ref name=WCE>{{cite web |title=Windhoek Supreme Court |publisher=Windhoek Consulting Engineers |url=http://www.wcenamibia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95:windhoek-supreme-court&catid=62:structural&Itemid=125 |access-date=24 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315084432/http://www.wcenamibia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95:windhoek-supreme-court&catid=62:structural&Itemid=125 |archive-date=15 March 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> it is Windhoek's only building erected after independence in an African style of architecture.<ref>{{cite web |title=Windhoek on Foot |publisher=Venture Publications |url=http://www.holidaytravel.com.na/ct/central_towns.php?sub_id=192 |access-date=24 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603125314/http://www.holidaytravel.com.na/ct/central_towns.php?sub_id=192 |archive-date=3 June 2013 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*The three castles of Windhoek built by architect [[Wilhelm Sander]]: [[Heinitzburg]], [[Sanderburg]], and [[Schwerinsburg]]<ref name=KDBioS>{{cite web |title=Biographies of Namibian Personalities, S |last=Dierks |first=Klaus |author-link=Klaus Dierks |publisher=klausdierks.com |url=http://www.klausdierks.com/Biographies/Biographies_S.htm |access-date=3 October 2011 |archive-date=23 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323005514/http://klausdierks.com/Biographies/Biographies_S.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[File:Windhuk Independence Memorial Museum Blick auf den Tintenpalast 5 (cropped).jpg|thumb|287x287px|The [[Tintenpalast]]]][[Tintenpalast]] – (''Ink Palace'') within Parliament Gardens, the seat of both chambers of the [[Parliament of Namibia]]. Built between 1912 and 1913 and situated just north of ''Robert Mugabe Avenue''.
*[[Turnhalle (Windhoek)|Turnhalle]] – neo-classicist building of Wilhelmine architecture, inaugurated in 1909.<ref name="100years">{{cite news |url=http://www.republikein.com.na/politiek-en-nasionale/100-years-turnhalle.99760.php |title=100 years Turnhalle • From gymnasium to Tribunal |last=Vogt |first=Andreas |date=18 December 2009 |newspaper=[[Die Republikein]] |access-date=3 October 2011 |archive-date=24 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324132914/http://www.republikein.com.na/politiek-en-nasionale/100-years-turnhalle.99760.php |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Windhoek Railway Station]] – A historical railway station serving the city of Windhoek.
*[[Zoo Park]] – a public park on [[Independence Avenue (Windhoek)|Independence Avenue]] in downtown Windhoek. The current park is landscaped and features a pond, playground and open-air theatre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sa-venues.com/regions/attractionsna/windhoek.htm#Zoo%20Park |title=Windhoek Attractions, Namibia |publisher=Sa-venues.com |access-date=1 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125152058/http://www.sa-venues.com/regions/attractionsna/windhoek.htm#Zoo%20Park |archive-date=25 November 2009 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Recreation and sports ==

=== Sports ===
[[Rugby union]] is a popular sport in Namibia. The [[Namibia national rugby union team|men's national team]] has qualified for the [[Rugby World Cup]] on seven consecutive occasions, in [[1999 Rugby World Cup|1999]], [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003]], [[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007]], [[2011 Rugby World Cup|2011]], [[2015 Rugby World Cup|2015]], [[2019 Rugby World Cup|2019]], and [[2023 Rugby World Cup|2023]], but has not won a game at the tournament. The [[Welwitschias]], who share their name with the national team, has competed in South Africa's domestic [[Rugby Challenge (South Africa)|Rugby Challenge]] competition since 2021, and previously competed in the [[Currie Cup]] and [[Vodacom Cup]].

The city has several football clubs, which include [[African Stars F.C.]], [[Black Africa F.C.]], [[F.C. Civics Windhoek]], [[Orlando Pirates Windhoek|Orlando Pirates F.C.]], [[Ramblers F.C.]], [[SK Windhoek]], [[Tigers F.C.]], [[Tura Magic F.C.]], and [[Citizens F.C]].

Many boxers, such as [[Paulus Moses]], [[Paulus Ambunda]] and [[Abmerk Shindjuu]], are from the city.

The [[Namibia national cricket team]], the Eagles, plays the majority of its home games at the [[Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek|Wanderers Cricket Ground]].<ref>{{citation |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/19/1344.html |title=Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=31 October 2017 |archive-date=15 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215020509/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/19/1344.html |url-status=live}} Retrieved 26 September 2011.</ref> It has also played at other grounds in the city, including the [[United Ground, Windhoek|United Ground]] and the [[Trans Namib Ground]].<ref>{{citation |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/19/1343.html |title=United Ground, Windhoek |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=31 October 2017 |archive-date=15 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215012922/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/19/1343.html |url-status=live}} Retrieved 26 September 2011.</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/19/1341.html |title=Trans Namib Ground, Windhoek |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=31 October 2017 |archive-date=15 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215015709/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/19/1341.html |url-status=live}} Retrieved 26 September 2011.</ref> The team took part in the [[2003 Cricket World Cup]] in [[South Africa]], though they lost all their games. They have played in each edition of the [[ICC Intercontinental Cup]].

Men's [[baseball]] was introduced to Namibia in 1950 at the Ramblers sports club in town.

The Tony Rust Raceway is located west of Windhoek on the Daan Viljoen road and reopened in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |last=Galpin |first=Darren |title=Tony Rust Raceway, Windhoek |url=http://www.dlg.speedfreaks.org/tracks/africa/windhoek.html |work=GEL Motorsport Information Page |access-date=31 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610080703/http://www.dlg.speedfreaks.org/tracks/africa/windhoek.html |archive-date=10 June 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Recreation ===
[[Farm Windhoek]], located adjacent to the townlands and owned by the municipality, is a sports and recreational venue for hiking, running, and mountain biking.

==Education==
[[File:Unamt.jpg|thumb|The main campus of the [[University of Namibia]]]]

===Tertiary institutions===
The general institutions of higher education in Windhoek are:
*[[University of Namibia]] (UNAM)
*[[Namibia University of Science and Technology]] (NUST); until 2015, the Polytechnic of Namibia
*[[International University of Management]] (IUM)
*[[Welwitchia University]] (WU)

===Other institutions===
Other recognisable institutions of higher learning:
*Institute of Information Technology (IIT)
*[[College of the Arts, Windhoek|College of the Arts]] (COTA)

===Secondary schools===
Windhoek {{As of|2016|alt=has}} 29 secondary schools and 58 primary schools.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schools in Windhoek under pressure for places |newspaper=[[The Namibian]] |date=15 January 2016 |page=6 |publisher=[[Namibia Press Agency|Nampa]] |url=http://www.namibian.com.na/index.php?page=read&id=35952 |access-date=16 January 2016 |archive-date=6 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206100928/http://www.namibian.com.na/index.php?page=read&id=35952 |url-status=live}}</ref> Some of the notable schools are:
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[A. Shipena Secondary School]]
*[[Academia Secondary School]]
*[[Augustineum Secondary School]]
*Centaurus High School
*[[Concordia College (Namibia)|Concordia College]]
*[[Cosmos High School]]
*Chairman Mao Zedong High School
*Dagbreek School for the Intellectually Impaired<ref>{{cite web |title=Dagbreek school Windhoek Namibia-school for learners who are intellectually impaired |last=Du Plessies |first=P.S |url=http://www.schoolnamibie.nl/dagbreek-school-info.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426041709/http://www.schoolnamibie.nl/dagbreek-school-info.html |archive-date=26 April 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*[[David Bezuidenhout Secondary School]]
*[[Delta Secondary School Windhoek]] (DSSW)
*[[Deutsche Höhere Privatschule]] (DHPS)
*[[Ella du Plessis High School]]
*Eros School for Girls<ref name="Mitrofanov">{{cite web |author=Sergei Mitrofanov |url=http://www.namibweb.com/schools.htm |title=Eros School for Girls |publisher=namibweb.com |access-date=1 October 2009 |archive-date=13 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013081536/http://www.namibweb.com/schools.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Hage G. Geingob High School|Hage Geingob High School]]
*[[Holy Cross Convent School, Windhoek|Holy Cross Convent School]]
*[[Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School]]
*[[Jakob Marengo Secondary School]]
*[[Jan Jonker Afrikaner High School]]
*[[Jan Möhr Secondary School]]
*Saint George's Diocesan College<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stgeorgesnamibia.com |title=Saint George's Diocesan College |publisher=stgeorgesnamibia.com |access-date=12 October 2015 |archive-date=20 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020001719/http://stgeorgesnamibia.com/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Pionier Boys' School]]
*[[St. Paul's College, Namibia|Saint Paul's College]]
*[[Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool]] (WAP)
*[[Windhoek Gymnasium Private School]] (WHK Gym)<ref>{{cite news |title=Private school draws praise from Namwandi |first=Albertina |last=Nakale |newspaper=[[New Era (Namibia)|New Era]] |date=20 May 2014 |url=http://www.newera.com.na/2014/05/14/private-school-draws-praise-namwandi/ |access-date=20 May 2014 |archive-date=20 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520220609/http://www.newera.com.na/2014/05/14/private-school-draws-praise-namwandi/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Windhoek High School]] (WHS)
*[[Windhoek International School]] (WIS)
{{Div col end}}

==Notable people==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
*[[Collin Benjamin]] (born 1978), retired footballer
*[[Jacques Burger]] (born 1983), former rugby player
*[[Tippi Degré]] (born 1990), documentary maker
*[[Dynamo Fredericks]] (born 1992), footballer
*[[Frank Fredericks]] (born 1967), athlete
*[[Gisvi]] (born 1982) Portuguese former footballer
*[[Stanley Goagoseb]] (born 1967), former footballer
*[[Morné Karg]] (born 1977), cricketer
*[[Max Katjijeko]] (born 1995) rugby union player for the [[Tel Aviv Heat]]
*[[Costa Khaiseb]] (born 1980), footballer
*[[Michelle McLean]] (born 1973), Miss Universe 1992
*[[Wessel Myburgh]] (born 1990), cricketer
*[[Gert Lotter]] (born 1993), cricketer and rugby player
*[[Maleagi Ngarizemo]] (born 1979), former footballer
*[[Bertus O'Callaghan]] (born 1988), rugby player
*[[Brumhilda Ochs]] (born 1992), model
*[[Quido]] (Le-Roy Quido Mohamed) (born 1989), rapper
*[[André Rademeyer]] (born 1998), rugby player
*[[Johnny Redelinghuys]] (born 1984), rugby player
*[[Francois van Rensburg]] (born 1974), rugby player
*[[Wolfgang Schenck (pilot)|Wolfgang Schenck]] (1913–2010), pilot
*[[Peter Shalulile]] (born 1993), footballer
*[[Abraham Shatimuene]] (born 1986), footballer
*[[Immanuel Shifidi]] (1929–1986), activist
*[[Abmerk Shindjuu]] (born 1981), boxer
*[[Colette Solomon]], policy researcher and women's rights activist 
*[[Nelius Theron]] (born 1997), rugby player

==See also==
*[[List of mayors of Windhoek]]
*[[List of cemeteries in Windhoek]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of Windhoek#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Windhoek}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q3935|s=no|b=no|v=no|q=no|n=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|voy=Windhoek}}
*[http://www.windhoekcc.org.na Official homepage of the City of Windhoek] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119115836/http://www.windhoekcc.org.na/ |date=19 November 2020 }}

{{Administrative divisions of Windhoek}}
{{Constituencies of the Khomas Region}}
{{List of African capitals}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Windhoek| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Khomas Region]]
[[Category:Regional capitals in Namibia]]
[[Category:German South West Africa]]
[[Category:1840 establishments in South West Africa]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1840]]
[[Category:Cities in Namibia]]
[[Category:Capitals in Africa]]