Windhoek

Windhoek (; Afrikaans: [ˈvəntɦuk] ; German: [ˈvɪnthʊk] ) is the capital and largest city of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia on the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around 1,700 m (5,600 ft) above sea level in the geographical centre of the country. The population was 486,186 in 2023, and growing, due to migration from other regions in Namibia. Windhoek is the economic, political, and cultural centre of the country where most Namibian enterprises, governmental bodies, educational and cultural institutions are located. The city developed at the site of a hot spring known to the local pastoral tribes. It developed after Jonker Afrikaner, Captain of the Orlam, settled there in 1840 and built a stone church for his community. In the decades following, multiple wars and armed conflicts resulted in the neglect and destruction of the 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.