Town (pop., 1997 est.: 169,000), capital of Namibia.
It is located in the central part of the country, in an area originally settled by African peoples. In 1890 the site of the present town was claimed for the German government. In 1915 South African forces occupied it and initiated their claim to the country, then known as South West Africa. When Namibia became independent in 1990, Windhoek became its capital. It is the country's main commercial and transportation centre.