Windhoek Travel Information

Windhoek (pronounced /ˈvɪnthʊk/, sometimes in German: Windhuk) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It is located in the central Khomas Region, and had a population of 306,093 in the 2009 calculations, believed to be over 296,000 in 2008.

The city is the major commercial and financial center of Namibia. It sits on a sloping plain on the northern side of the Khomas Hochland (Khomas Highlands) at an altitude of 1,728 metres (5,670 ft). Windhoek was originally inhabited by the Herero, then became the base of a Nama chief who defeated the Herero in the 19th century. Germany occupied the region in 1885, and the city became the seat of colonial rule in 1892 as the capital of the colony of German South-West Africa (Deutsch-Südwestafrika). During World War I Windhoek was captured by South African troops and became a South African Mandate under the League of Nations. Until the independence of Namibia was inaugurated in 1990, Windhoek was recognised as the capital city of South West Africa as administered by the South African government. It continues to be the capital city of the Republic of Namibia.

Notable landmarks

• Christ Church - A Lutheran church. Construction on the church was begun under Pastor Wilhelm Anz in April 1896. After the end of the wars between the Germans and the Khoikhoi, Herero, and Ovambo, it was dedicated as the Church of Peace in 1910. The Lutheran Church, which was built in the gothic revival style with Art Nouveau elements, stands in the historic center of Windhoek. Its 24 m high spire was made, like the rest of the church, out of quartz sandstone. The exception is the portal and the altar, which are made of marble. The colourful stained-glass windows in the sanctuary were a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II. The Church is next to the Parliament Gardens and Tintenpalast.
• St. Mary's Cathedral
• Zoo Park - a public park on Independence Avenue in downtown Windhoek. The current park is landscaped and features a pond, children's playground and open-air theatre.
• Tintenpalast - German for "Ink Palace", is the seat of both chambers of the Namibian legislature, the National Council and the National Assembly. It is located just north of Robert Mugabe Avenue, and was designed by the architect Gottlieb Redecker and built by the company Sander & Kock between 1912 and 1913 out of regional materials as an administration building for the German government, which colonised Namibia at the time. The building is surrounded by the Parliament Gardens.
• Alte Feste- German for "Old Fortress". Built in 1890, today houses the National Museum
• Supreme Court of Namibia
• National Library of Namibia
• Windhoek Railway Station
• Holy Cross Convent School - built in 1906
• Daan Viljoen Game Reserve -situated near Windhoek
• Windhoek Public Library - built in 1925, next to the Alte Feste