Map of Namibia
Windhoek, Capital of Namibia
Walvis Bay
Swakopmund

Cities and towns in Namibia are distinguished by the status the Government of Namibia has vested in them: Places in Namibia that are governed by a municipality are cities, places with a town council are towns.[1]

Cities

As of 2015 Namibia has thirteen cities, each of them governed by a municipality council that has between 7 and 15 seats. Compared to towns, cities have the authority to set up facilities like public transport, housing schemes, museums, and libraries without the approval of the Minister of Urban and Rural Development. They may also decide to privatise certain services and to enter into joint ventures with the private sector without asking for explicit approval. The thirteen cities are:[2]

Cities in Namibia
City Region Census 1991 Census 2001[3] Census 2011[3] Census 2023[4]
Windhoek Khomas 147,056 233,529 325,858 486,169
Walvis Bay Erongo 22,999 43,611 62,096 118,625
Swakopmund Erongo 17,681 23,808 44,725 75,921
Henties Bay Erongo 3,285 4,720 7,569
Omaruru Erongo 4,761 6,300 10,670
Otjiwarongo Otjozondjupa 15,921 19,614 28,249 49,022
Okahandja Otjozondjupa 11,040 14,039 22,639 45,159
Grootfontein Otjozondjupa 14,249 16,632 26,839
Mariental Hardap 9,836 12,478 15,475
Outjo Kunene 6,013 8,445 15,063
Gobabis Omaheke 13,856 19,101 33,404
Tsumeb Oshikoto 14,929 19,275 34,960
Keetmanshoop ǁKaras 15,032 15,778 20,977 27,862

Towns

As of 2015 Namibia has 26 towns, each of them governed by a town council that has between 7 and 12 seats. Compared to villages, towns have the authority to set up facilities like ambulance and fire fighting services and electricity supply without the approval of the Minister of Urban and Rural Development. They are also responsible for erecting and maintaining community buildings, and they may buy and sell movable property without asking for explicit approval. The 26 towns are:[2]

Towns in Namibia
Town Region Census 1991 Census 2001[3] Census 2011[3] 2023 Census[4]
Karasburg ǁKaras 4,075 4,401 6,621
Lüderitz ǁKaras 13,295 12,537 16,125
Oranjemund ǁKaras 4,451 3,908 7,441
Arandis Erongo 3,974 5,214 5,726
Karibib Erongo 3,726 5,132 6,938
Usakos Erongo 2,926 3,583 5,094
Aranos Hardap 3,683 5,493
Rehoboth Hardap 21,439 21,308 28,843 40,788
Rundu Kavango East 19,366 36,964 63,431 118,625
Nkurenkuru Kavango West 618 10,261
Khorixas Kunene 5,890 6,796 9,371
Opuwo Kunene 5,101 7,657 12,335
Eenhana Ohangwena 2,814 5,528 16,588
Helao Nafidi Ohangwena --- --- (established 2004) 19,375 28,508
Okahao Omusati 1,665 4,519
Oshikuku Omusati 2,761 5,499
Outapi Omusati 2,640 6,437 13,671
Ruacana Omusati 2,985 5,939
Oshakati Oshana 21,603 28,255 36,541 58,696
Ondangwa Oshana 7,926 10,900 22,822 30,679
Ongwediva Oshana 6,197 10,742 20,260 27,784
Omuthiya Oshikoto 3,794 7,560
Oniipa Oshikoto --- 4,740
Okakarara Otjozondjupa 3,296 4,709 7,123
Otavi Otjozondjupa 3,813 5,242 10,756
Katima Mulilo Zambezi 13,377 22,134 28,362 46,401

See also

References

Literature

  1. ^ Hartman, Adam (27 Aug 2010). "Town regrading a 'sad move'". The Namibian. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2012-03-17.
  2. ^ a b "Know Your Local Authority". Election Watch. No. 3. Institute for Public Policy Research. 2015. p. 4.
  3. ^ a b c d "Table 4.2.2 Urban population by Census years (2001 and 2011)" (PDF). Namibia 2011 - Population and Housing Census Main Report. Namibia Statistics Agency. p. 40. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  4. ^ a b "2023 Population & Housing Census Preliminary Report" (PDF). Statistics Namibia.

Further reading

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