# Gobabis

> city in eastern Namibia

**Wikidata**: [Q1000609](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1000609)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobabis)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gobabis

## Summary

Gobabis is a city in eastern Namibia and the administrative capital of the Omaheke Region, situated approximately 200 kilometres east of Namibia's capital Windhoek. Founded in 1856, it serves as a regional hub with a population of 33,404 residents as of the 2023 census and sits at an elevation of 1,442 metres above sea level.

## Key Facts

- **Type**: City (instance_of: city)
- **Country**: Namibia
- **Region**: Omaheke Region (also the capital of this region)
- **Founded**: 1856 (inception)
- **Population**: 33,404 (2023 census)
- **Area**: 345 square kilometres
- **Coordinates**: Latitude -22.45, Longitude 18.966666666667
- **Elevation**: 1,442 metres above sea level
- **Timezone**: UTC+01:00, UTC+02:00
- **UN/Locode**: NAGOG
- **Local dialing code**: 62
- **Website**: https://gobabis.org
- **Mayor/Head of Government**: Melba Tjozongoro (Popular Democratic Movement, since 2023)
- **Climate**: Semi-arid climate (Köppen classification)
- **Twinned with**: Drachten (Netherlands)
- **Electoral districts**: Gobabis Constituency, Kalahari Constituency

**Identifiers**:
- Wikidata ID: Q766705
- VIAF ID: 139713201
- GND ID: 4398610-9
- GeoNames ID: 3357247
- OpenStreetMap Node ID: 33364950
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n94900565

## FAQs

**What is Gobabis known for?**
Gobabis is the regional capital of Omaheke in eastern Namibia and serves as a centre for the indigenous Tswana and Herero communities. It is historically associated with the Khaua-Stamm (Khaua tribe) and other local tribal groupings including the Amraalsche Stamm and Andries Lambert.

**How large is Gobabis?**
The city covers an area of 345 square kilometres and had a population of 33,404 people according to the 2023 census.

**What is the history of Gobabis?**
Gobabis was founded in 1856 and grew as a settlement tied to the local tribal territories of the region, including the Khaua-Stamm and other Stamm (tribal) groups.

**Who is the current leader of Gobabis?**
Melba Tjozongoro has served as the head of government since 2023, representing the Popular Democratic Movement.

**What is Gobabis's climate?**
Gobabis experiences a semi-arid climate according to the Köppen climate classification, typical of eastern Namibia's interior regions.

**Is Gobabis connected to any other cities?**
Gobabis is twinned with Drachten, a city in the Netherlands.

**What electoral districts is Gobabis associated with?**
The city is the administrative centre for both Gobabis Constituency and Kalahari Constituency.

## Why It Matters

Gobabis matters as the administrative and economic heart of Namibia's Omaheke Region, serving approximately 33,000 residents who depend on the city for government services, healthcare, education, and commerce. Its founding in 1856 established one of the earliest permanent settlements in eastern Namibia, creating a centre for the indigenous Khaua-Stamm and related tribal groups whose historical presence dates back centuries.

The city's location at 1,442 metres elevation and its position along transportation routes connecting Windhoek to eastern Namibia make it strategically important for regional logistics and trade. As the capital of Omaheke Region, Gobabis houses regional government offices that coordinate services for a predominantly rural constituency, making it essential for administrative accessibility in eastern Namibia.

Gobabis also holds cultural significance as a centre for the Herero and Tswana peoples, with historical ties to various tribal Stamm (stamme) including the Amraalsche Stamm, Frederik Vlermuis, Andries Lambert, and Amraal Lambert. The city's twinning with Drachten in the Netherlands reflects international connections and potential for cultural and economic exchange.

## Notable For

- Administrative capital of Omaheke Region
- One of the oldest settlements in eastern Namibia (founded 1856)
- Centre for Khaua-Stamm and related indigenous tribal groups
- Twinned with Drachten, Netherlands
- Located at 1,442 metres elevation, making it one of Namibia's higher-altitude cities
- Home to regional government offices serving Gobabis and Kalahari Constituencies
- Serves as a hub for the Popular Democratic Movement in eastern Namibia

## Body

### Geography and Location

Gobabis is situated in eastern Namibia, approximately 200 kilometres east of the capital Windhoek. The city lies at coordinates latitude -22.45 and longitude 18.966666666667, at an elevation of 1,442 metres above sea level. This relatively high elevation contributes to the city's semi-arid climate classification according to the Köppen system. The municipal area covers 345 square kilometres, making it a moderately sized Namibian city in terms of land area.

### History and Foundation

The city was founded in 1856, establishing it as one of the earliest permanent European-influenced settlements in eastern Namibia. The area had long been inhabited by indigenous peoples, particularly the Khaua-Stamm (Khaua tribe), along with related tribal groups including the Amraalsche Stamm, Frederik Vlermuis, Andries Lambert, and Amraal Lambert. These tribal groups, collectively referred to as Stamm in historical documentation, shaped the region's cultural identity before and after the city's formal establishment.

### Administration and Government

Gobabis serves as the administrative capital of the Omaheke Region, one of Namibia's 14 regions. The city is governed by local administration, with Melba Tjozongoro serving as head of government since 2023. Tjozongoro represents the Popular Democratic Movement, a political party in Namibia. The city also serves as the centre for two electoral constituencies: Gobabis Constituency and Kalahari Constituency, which elect representatives to the National Assembly of Namibia.

### Demographics and Population

According to the 2023 census, Gobabis has a population of 33,404 residents. The population consists primarily of indigenous ethnic groups including the Herero and Tswana peoples, with historical ties to the various Stamm (tribal groups) that have inhabited the region for centuries. The city's population has grown from earlier periods, reflecting broader urbanization trends in Namibia's eastern regions.

### Infrastructure and Communications

The city operates in the UTC+01:00 and UTC+02:00 time zones, reflecting Namibia's practice of maintaining multiple time zones or seasonal time adjustments. The local dialing code for Gobabis is 62, used for telecommunications within the region. The city maintains a website at https://gobabis.org, providing information about municipal services and local government.

### International Connections

Gobabis is twinned with Drachten, a city in the Netherlands. This twinning arrangement represents a connection between Namibian and Dutch municipalities, facilitating potential cultural, economic, and administrative exchanges. The city has been assigned various international identifiers including a UN/Locode (NAGOG) for trade and logistics purposes, a GeoNames ID (3357247) for geographic information systems, and an OpenStreetMap Node ID (33364950) for mapping services.

### Cultural Significance

The city holds significance for Namibia's indigenous communities, particularly the Herero people and various Tswana tribal groups. Historical references to the Stamm von Gobabis (Gobabis tribe) and related tribal entities underscore the area's importance as a traditional homeland for these communities. The region's cultural heritage is reflected in the various tribal names and historical figures associated with the area, including the Khaua-Stamm, Amraalsche Stamm, and individuals such as Frederik Vlismuis who played roles in the region's history.

### Climate and Environment

Gobabis experiences a semi-arid climate typical of eastern Namibia's interior regions. The Köppen climate classification for the area reflects low annual precipitation and variable temperature ranges common at elevations around 1,400 metres in southern Africa. The elevation of 1,442 metres contributes to cooler temperatures compared to lower-lying areas of Namibia.

### Economic and Regional Role

As the capital of Omaheke Region, Gobabis functions as the primary administrative centre for regional government services, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. The city's position along transportation corridors connecting Windhoek to eastern Namibia and neighbouring countries makes it an important hub for regional trade and logistics. The municipal area's 345 square kilometres accommodates both urban development and surrounding agricultural land used by local communities.

## References

1. GEOnet Names Server. 2018
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://census.nsanamibia.com/omaheke-region/)
5. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
6. GeoNames
7. BBC Things
8. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/na.htm)
9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
10. museum-digital