# Potchefstroom

> city in the North West Province of South Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q605167](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q605167)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potchefstroom)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/potchefstroom

## Summary
Potchefstroom is a major city and the administrative capital of the Tlokwe Local Municipality located in the North West Province of South Africa. Founded in 1838, it serves as a significant educational and cultural hub, hosting the North-West University and the Leopards rugby union team. With a population of 148,804 recorded in 2011, it is classified as a big city covering an area of 184.2 square kilometres at an elevation of 1,350 metres.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Potchefstroom is a city and a big city (population ≥ 100,000).
*   **Inception:** The city was founded in 1838.
*   **Location:** Situated in the North West Province of South Africa, specifically within the Tlokwe Local Municipality.
*   **Administrative Role:** It serves as the capital of the Tlokwe Local Municipality.
*   **Population:** 148,804 residents (as of the 2011 census).
*   **Area:** 184.2 square kilometres.
*   **Elevation:** 1,350 metres above sea level.
*   **Coordinates:** Latitude -26.715, Longitude 27.103333333333.
*   **Timezone:** UTC+02:00.
*   **Postal Codes:** 2531 (general), 2520 (post office box).
*   **Local Dialing Code:** 018.
*   **UN/LOCODE:** ZAZEH.
*   **Official Website:** http://www.potch.co.za/ (English language).
*   **Key Institutions:** Home to North-West University (established 2004) and the Leopards rugby union team (established 1920).
*   **Identifiers:**
    *   Wikidata ID: 
    *   GeoNames ID: 964349
    *   GND ID: 4367153-6
    *   VIAF ID: 137238053
    *   FAST ID: 1223578
    *   Library of Congress Authority ID: n82250949
    *   MusicBrainz Area ID: 115969c0-a2fb-41f7-98e7-080d82305173
    *   WorldCat Entities ID: E39PBJkXpB43rwhxrFKkCJmfMP
    *   Who's on First ID: 101926447
    *   OpenWeatherMap City ID: 964349
    *   Archinform Location ID: 9174
    *   Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana ID: potchefstroom (former: 0052409)
    *   Online PWN Encyclopedia ID: 3961011
    *   Yale Lux ID: place/273af68d-02a7-476c-af15-472c7dbb8b0d
    *   Facebook Location ID: 106450099391814
    *   Quora Topic: Potchefstroom
    *   RKD Thesaurus ID: 50148
    *   FactGrid Item ID: Wolfgang Wippermann
    *   GNS Unique Feature ID: -1273530
    *   SNARC ID: Corral
    *   WOEID: 1586625
*   **Media & Description:**
    *   Wikipedia Title: Potchefstroom
    *   Commons Category: Potchefstroom
    *   Native Label: Potchefstroom
    *   Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID: place/Potchefstroom
    *   Described in: Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition
    *   National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007559850905171
*   **Languages:** Supported in 39 languages including Afrikaans, English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Zulu.

## FAQs
**What is the historical and administrative status of Potchefstroom?**
Potchefstroom was established in 1838 and currently functions as the capital of the Tlokwe Local Municipality within South Africa's North West Province. It is recognized as a "big city" due to its population exceeding 100,000, with 148,804 residents recorded in 2011.

**Which major educational and sports organizations are based in the city?**
The city hosts the North-West University, which was formed in 2004, and serves as the headquarters for the Leopards rugby union team, founded in 1920. These institutions are central to the city's identity and contribute significantly to its demographic and cultural landscape.

**What are the geographic and logistical specifications of the city?**
Located at coordinates -26.715 latitude and 27.103 longitude, the city sits at an elevation of 1,350 metres and covers an area of 184.2 square kilometres. It operates on the UTC+02:00 timezone, uses the local dialing code 018, and is assigned the UN/LOCODE ZAZEH for trade logistics.

**How is Potchefstroom identified in international databases and libraries?**
The city is cataloged with numerous unique identifiers, including the Library of Congress ID n82250949, VIAF ID 137238053, and GeoNames ID 964349. It is also listed in the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana, the Online PWN Encyclopedia, and the RKD Thesaurus, ensuring its presence in global academic and archival systems.

## Why It Matters
Potchefstroom holds significant importance as a historical and administrative anchor in South Africa's North West Province. As the capital of the Tlokwe Local Municipality, it serves as the primary governance center for the region, managing local affairs for a substantial population. Its role as an educational hub is critical, anchored by the North-West University, which drives research and higher learning in the area. Furthermore, the city is a cultural powerhouse, hosting the Leopards rugby team, which fosters regional pride and sporting excellence. The city's extensive documentation in global encyclopedias, library systems, and digital databases underscores its status as a well-defined and historically rich entity within the African continent.

## Notable For
*   **Historical Longevity:** One of the oldest cities in the region, founded in 1838.
*   **Administrative Centrality:** Serves as the capital of the Tlokwe Local Municipality.
*   **Educational Hub:** Home to the North-West University, a major higher education institution established in 2004.
*   **Sports Heritage:** Headquarters of the Leopards rugby union team, founded in 1920.
*   **Population Scale:** Classified as a "big city" with a population of 148,804 (2011).
*   **Geographic Distinctiveness:** Situated at a high elevation of 1,350 metres above sea level.
*   **Global Recognition:** Extensively cataloged with over 30 unique authority IDs across international library and geographic databases.
*   **Multilingual Presence:** Featured in 39 different language versions of Wikipedia.
*   **Architectural Documentation:** Documented in the Archinform database (ID 9174) and described in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Profile
Potchefstroom is a large human settlement situated in the North West Province of South Africa. It functions as the capital of the Tlokwe Local Municipality, a local municipality established on December 5, 2000. The city covers a total area of 184.2 square kilometres and is positioned at an elevation of 1,350 metres above sea level. Its precise geographic coordinates are latitude -26.715 and longitude 27.103333333333. The city operates within the UTC+02:00 timezone and utilizes the local dialing code 018. For international trade and logistics, it is assigned the UN/LOCODE ZAZEH. The population was recorded at 148,804 during the 2011 census, qualifying it as a "big city" with a population of at least 100,000.

### Historical Foundations and Inception
The city was founded in 1838, marking its inception as a significant settlement in the region. It is described in the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, specifically under the entry "1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Potchefstroom." The city's historical significance is further evidenced by its inclusion in the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana and its detailed documentation in the Online PWN Encyclopedia. The native label for the city is "Potchefstroom," and it has been a subject of study and description for nearly two centuries.

### Educational and Cultural Institutions
A defining feature of Potchefstroom is its status as an educational center, hosting the North-West University. This university was established in 2004 and is located in South Africa. The city is also the headquarters for the Leopards, a prominent rugby union team founded in 1920. The Leopards are a key part of the city's cultural fabric and are associated with the entity . The presence of these institutions contributes to the city's dynamic community and academic environment.

### Infrastructure and Logistics
The city's infrastructure supports a population of nearly 150,000 people with specific postal codes: 2531 for general use and 2520 for post office boxes. The official website for the city is http://www.potch.co.za/, which is available in English. The city's location is tracked via the Where On Earth ID (WOEID) 1586625 and the OpenWeatherMap City ID 964349. The GNS Unique Feature ID is -1273530, and the city is categorized under "Category:Potchefstroom" and "Category:People from Potchefstroom."

### Digital Presence and Authority Identifiers
Potchefstroom is extensively cataloged in global digital and library systems. It holds a Wikidata ID of  and a Freebase ID of /m/02t_jn. The city is associated with the WorldCat Entities ID E39PBJkXpB43rwhxrFKkCJmfMP and the Library of Congress Authority ID n82250949. Other unique identifiers include the VIAF ID 137238053, the FAST ID 1223578, and the GND ID 4367153-6. The city is also listed in the MusicBrainz database with the area ID 115969c0-a2fb-41f7-98e7-080d82305173. In the academic and architectural sectors, it is referenced by the Archinform Location ID 9174 and the RKD Thesaurus ID 50148. The city has a presence on social media with a Facebook Location ID of 106450099391814 and a Quora Topic titled "Potchefstroom."

### Media and Visual Documentation
Visual representations of the city include images of the Town Hall on Potgieter Street and the Building of Potchefstroom University. These images are hosted on Wikimedia Commons, with specific file paths available for the Town Hall and the University building. The city also has a flag image, specifically the South African Burgers Flag, referenced in the data. The Wikipedia title for the city is "Potchefstroom," and it has a Commons category dedicated to it. The city is described in 39 languages, ranging from Afrikaans and English to Chinese and Zulu, reflecting its international recognition.

### Technical and Metadata Details
The city's data is linked to various metadata standards. It has a SNARC ID of "Corral" and a Yale Lux ID of place/273af68d-02a7-476c-af15-472c7dbb8b0d. The FactGrid item is identified as "Wolfgang Wippermann." The city's elevation is specified as 1,350 metres, and its area is 184.2 square kilometres. The postal code 2520 specifically applies to post office boxes, while 2531 is the general code. The city's inception date is recorded as 1838, and the Tlokwe Local Municipality, of which it is the capital, was established in 2000. The city is also associated with the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana ID 0052409 (former scheme) and the National Library of Israel J9U ID 987007559850905171.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. South African Post Office
3. [Source](http://www.postoffice.co.za/tools/pcodes.xls)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. MusicBrainz
6. [Source](http://www.citypopulation.de/SouthAfrica-UA.html?cityid=12181)
7. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
8. GeoNames
9. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/za.htm)
10. Quora
11. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File