Windhoek, also known by its more traditional names—|Ai||Gams (in the Khoekhoe language) and Otjiomuise or Otjoherero, all of which mean “place by streams”—is the capital and largest city of Namibia, as well as its cultural and economic center.  Though likely named for the mountain ranges near the home of its founder, South African Capt. Jonker Afrikaner, Windhoeks name was officially changed to “Otjomuise” as a part of a broader Africanization plan for many of the more important cities and towns across the country.

The city was established around 1840 near a permanent stream by Capt. Jonker Afrikaner after building a stone church at the site.  Originally peopled by San, Khoi Khoi, and eventually the Bantu, who all fought each other for ownership, it was particularly favored by the Khoisan ethnic group (the Nama), by the Bantu group (Herero), and by the Dutch colonialists for its proximity to 12 fresh water streams: the streams allowed for crop production, which would have been otherwise impossible under Windhoeks semi-arid, dry climatic conditions.  The original settlement of Windhoek was destroyed during several wars and battles between its ethnic and religious groups and had to be founded again by Imperial German Army Major Curt von François in 1890.  At this point the Germans claimed all of Namibia as part of the 1885 Treaty of Berlin, which partitioned Africa.

Windhoek grew in size as Europeans and Africans migrated to its burgeoning center, which was ringed by three European-style castles: Heinitzburg, Sanderburg, and Schwerinburg, and also by the Alte Feste (The Old Fortress), which was built by Major von François.  The German era ended, however, when the city was captured by South Africans on behalf of the British Empire in May 1915.  Military rule was instituted and growth came to a halt.  The city began growing again after World War II.  That growth included the construction of the worlds first potable reclamation plant (Goreangab Reclamation Plant, built in 1958) which treated and reused domestic