Windhoek

Capital of Namibia, and administrative centre of Khomas region; population (2001) 233,500. It is just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, in the Khomas Highlands, 290 km/180 mi from the west coast. It is the world centre of the karakul (breed of sheep) industry and there is a considerable trade in fleece and skins; other industries include engineering, clothing manufacture, and food processing.

Windhoek became the capital of the German dependency of South West Africa in 1892, was captured by South African troops during World War I, and was later administered by South Africa under a League of Nations mandate. It has many buildings dating from the period of German rule; important institutions include the State Museum (1958), the Government Archive (1939), and the South West African Scientific Society.