With 15 000 inhabitants, Namibia's capital of Windhoek is the biggest city in the country. The attractive town lies at an altitude of 1650 meters in a beautiful valley bordered by the Eros Mountains in the north and the Auas mountains in the south. Towards the west, stretches the Khomas Highland to the Namib and the coast.
Landing at the airport tourist already obtain an impression of the vast and desolate landscape of Namibia. Arriving in Windhoek it seems more like a town than a capital city. The importance of Windhoek will be understood only on the return journey through Namibia, as the vastness and emptiness of the country becomes evident. Only then will Windhoek reveal the status of a world city.
The city is characterized by a mixture of old German colonial architecture and modern functional buildings. Amongst others, places of interest for visitors include the landmark Lutheran Church (Christuskirche) and the old fort of the German army built in 1890. The city is - for an African town - still very clean and a bit provincial, although the atmosphere does have cosmopolitan flare as well.
There is yet another side to Windhoek: Kattutura ("where nobody wants to live"), the township of Windhoek. Even though it is not one of the worst slums, it reminds us that Namibia is a First as well as a Third World country. This contrast will be apparent throughout a journey around the country. |
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| Lutheran Church overlooking Windhoek |
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