Windhoek

Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, is located in a basin between the Khomas Highland, Auas and Eros Mountains. It is 1,680m above sea level. The city is situated in almost the countries epicenter. Windhoek is home to approximately two hundred thousand people, an extremely small capital by global standards.  Despite the large increase in population over the last few years the city centre is extremely clean, and mostly trouble free. Most tourists comment on the cleanliness of the city, and often pronounce it to be a most un-African city. 

The city centre is characterised by a proliferation of German style buildings, a lasting reminder of Namibia's early colonial history. Early buildings such as the Alte Feste (old fort) and Tintenpalast (the parliament buildings) are of particular historical interest. In a wonderful display of irony, the Alte Feste Fort, once the bastion of German colonialism, now houses the National Museum which places particular emphasis on the freedom struggle and Namibian independence.Other notable buildings in Windhoek include St Mary's Cathedral and the Turnhalle Building.

The Alte Feste

Windhoek is home to many different cultures. On the way to work in the morning, you'd probably see a Herero lady, in her thousands of petticoats on her way to work, usualy being a cleaning job in the 'richer part' of Namibia. If you're really lucky, you might see the Himba women, on one of thier rare trips to the capital, selling the Greman Tourists ornaments from Bushmanland.

 

                                                                         Herero Ladies

Himba Women