The City of Windhoek
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. However, in the decades thereafter multiple wars and hostilities led to the neglect and destruction of the new settlement such that Windhoek was founded a second time in 1890 byImperial German army Major Curt von François.
Windhoek is the social, economic, and cultural centre of the country. Nearly every Namibian national enterprise, governmental body, educational and cultural institution is headquartered here.It sits on a sloping plain on the northern side of the Khomas Hochland (Khomas Highlands) in the Windhoek Basin valley which extends in north-southern direction for about 80 kilometres (50 mi) towards the city of Okahandja. The mean altitude of Windhoek is 1,657 metres (5,436 ft). Expanding the town area has – apart from financial restrictions – proven to be challenging due to its geographical location. In southern, eastern and western direction 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.
Nevertheless, Windhoek's City Council dramatically expanded the city's boundaries in 2012 such that the town area now covers 5,133.4 square kilometres (1,982.0 sq mi). This makes Windhoek the third-largest city in the world by area, after Tianjin and Istanbul, although the population density is only 63 inhabitants per square kilometer. The total population of Windhoek is 322,500.
From the Windhoek Tourism Board
Windhoek, possesses a unique charm due to its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people. It serves as a strategic point from which to conduct business, or to embark on your Namibian adventure.
It provides an efficient infrastructure and easy access to tourist destinations in neighbouring countries, such as the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Okavango Swamps in Botswana, and Table Mountain and various game parks in South Africa.
It therefore serves as an ideal gateway to southern Africa. For the business traveller, Windhoek offers all modern amenities such as conference facilities, commuting services, corporate accommodation and catering venues.
For the holiday maker, Windhoek is the perfect place to get fitted out for travelling. Specialist outlets stock appropriate clothing, camping and travel paraphernalia. You will be able to attend to your foreign exchange matters, plan your journey’s next phase and obtain the necessary information to ensure a peaceful and unforgettable stay.
Take time to enjoy Windhoek’s city tours to places of interest, such as the Museum, the National Art Gallery, the "Tintenpalast", the National Botanical Research Institute (and its gardens) and the Zoo Gardens.
For the wayfarer, Windhoek is the ideal place for a relaxing sojourn before setting out on the holiday of a lifetime!
*Information from this page was gathered from http://www.windhoekcc.org.na and the City of Windhoek Wikipedia Page.
Windhoek is the social, economic, and cultural centre of the country. Nearly every Namibian national enterprise, governmental body, educational and cultural institution is headquartered here.It sits on a sloping plain on the northern side of the Khomas Hochland (Khomas Highlands) in the Windhoek Basin valley which extends in north-southern direction for about 80 kilometres (50 mi) towards the city of Okahandja. The mean altitude of Windhoek is 1,657 metres (5,436 ft). Expanding the town area has – apart from financial restrictions – proven to be challenging due to its geographical location. In southern, eastern and western direction 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.
Nevertheless, Windhoek's City Council dramatically expanded the city's boundaries in 2012 such that the town area now covers 5,133.4 square kilometres (1,982.0 sq mi). This makes Windhoek the third-largest city in the world by area, after Tianjin and Istanbul, although the population density is only 63 inhabitants per square kilometer. The total population of Windhoek is 322,500.
From the Windhoek Tourism Board
Windhoek, possesses a unique charm due to its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people. It serves as a strategic point from which to conduct business, or to embark on your Namibian adventure.
It provides an efficient infrastructure and easy access to tourist destinations in neighbouring countries, such as the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Okavango Swamps in Botswana, and Table Mountain and various game parks in South Africa.
It therefore serves as an ideal gateway to southern Africa. For the business traveller, Windhoek offers all modern amenities such as conference facilities, commuting services, corporate accommodation and catering venues.
For the holiday maker, Windhoek is the perfect place to get fitted out for travelling. Specialist outlets stock appropriate clothing, camping and travel paraphernalia. You will be able to attend to your foreign exchange matters, plan your journey’s next phase and obtain the necessary information to ensure a peaceful and unforgettable stay.
Take time to enjoy Windhoek’s city tours to places of interest, such as the Museum, the National Art Gallery, the "Tintenpalast", the National Botanical Research Institute (and its gardens) and the Zoo Gardens.
For the wayfarer, Windhoek is the ideal place for a relaxing sojourn before setting out on the holiday of a lifetime!
*Information from this page was gathered from http://www.windhoekcc.org.na and the City of Windhoek Wikipedia Page.