# Soweto

> township of South Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q217426](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q217426)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soweto)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soweto

## Summary
Soweto is a large human settlement and township located in South Africa, officially established in 1963. It is part of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and is known for its significant cultural and historical importance, particularly in the context of South African apartheid and its aftermath.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Large human settlement (sitelink_count: 252)
- **Area**: 200 square kilometers (references: [Census](https://census...))
- **Image**: [Commons image](https://commons...) (references: [Q53464](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53464))
- **GND ID**: 4105418-0 (references: [Q265049](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q265049), 2025-09-17)
- **Lex ID**: Soweto
- **Aliases**: Johannesburg/Soweto, Soweto, South Africa, Soweto, Gauteng, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Western Township, South West Township, Doornkop, South Western Townships, ソエト, Совето
- **Country**: South Africa (references: [Q328](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328))
- **Demonym**: Sowetiani (masculine plural) (references: [Q11920](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11920))
- **FAST ID**: 1207195
- **VIAF ID**: 140712506 (references: [Q54919](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54919), 2015-08-03)
- **SNARC ID**: Q3244
- **Timezone**: UTC+02:00
- **Inception**: 1963 (references: [Q766705](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q766705))
- **UN/LOCODE**: ZAZEV
- **KBPedia ID**: Soweto (references: [Q64139102](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64139102), 2020-07-09)
- **Located in**: City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality (preferred) (references: [Q328](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328))
- **Population**: 1,271,628 (2011 census) (references: [Census](https://census...))
- **Coordinates**: Latitude -26.267777777777777, Longitude 27.85861111111111 (references: [geonames_id: 953781](https://www.geonames.org/953781))
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0729t
- **Geonames ID**: 953781 (references: [Q830106](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q830106))
- **Instance of**: South African township, city
- **Larousse ID**: divers/wd/145003
- **Page Banner**: [Commons image](https://commons...)
- **Postal Code**: 4309 (references: [Q7565777](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7565777), [Postal Code Database](http://www.pos...))
- **Quora Topic**: Soweto-Gauteng-...
- **BBC Things ID**: c59f31c9-a0a4-4... (references: [Q18336371](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18336371))
- **Languages Used**: Zulu, Sesotho, Tswana, Tsonga, Xhosa (references: [Census](https://census...))
- **Official Name**: Soweto, Soweto
- **Different From**: Soweto (references: [Q1551807](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1551807), [Polish Wikipedia](https://pl.wik...))
- **Sitelink Count**: 58
- **Yale Lux ID**: place/c30f295d-...
- **Male Population**: 631,040 (2011 census) (references: [Census](https://census...))
- **Wikipedia Title**: Soweto
- **BlackPast.org ID**: global-african-...
- **Commons Category**: Soweto (references: [Q328](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328))
- **Le Figaro Tag ID**: Soweto
- **RKD Thesaurus ID**: 44142
- **Female Population**: 640,588 (2011 census) (references: [Census](https://census...))
- **Who’s On First ID**: 85772549
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: df69d2eb-1703-4... (references: [Q14005](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14005))
- **Wikipedia Languages**: af, ar, ast, azb, ca, cs, da, de, el, en, eo, es, eu, fa, fi, fr, ga, gl, he, hr, hu, hy, id, io, it, ja, ka, ko, la, lb, lt, lv, mg, ms, nl, no, pl, pt, ro, ru, simple, sn, sr, ss, st, sv, sw, szl, tr, uk, ur, ve, war, xh, zh, zu
- **Facebook Location ID**: 106567512712163
- **Store ID Google Play**: Soweto
- **Wikidata Description**: township of South Africa
- **WorldCat Entities ID**: E39PBJtMh3FxF4k... (references: [n79148068](https://www.worldcat.org/identities/n79148068), 2024-04-22)
- **GNS Unique Feature ID**: -1285576
- **Interlingual Index ID**: i83986
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID**: 27565050
- **Topic's Main Category**: Category:Soweto (references: [Q328](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328))
- **WordNet 3.1 Synset ID**: 09024803-n
- **ArchInform Location ID**: 1738 (references: [Q265049](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q265049), 2018-08-05, [ArchInform](https://www.ar...))
- **OpenWeatherMap City ID**: 953781
- **Elevation Above Sea Level**: 1,632 meters (references: [geonames_id: 953781](https://www.geonames.org/953781))
- **France 24 Topic**: soweto
- **Category for People Born Here**: Q8073658 (references: [Q8447](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8447))
- **Category of Associated People**: Category:People from Soweto (references: [Q328](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328))
- **Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana ID**: soweto
- **Library of Congress ID**: n79148068 (references: [Q54919](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54919), 2019-03-06)
- **Category for People Who Died Here**: Q60928755 (references: [Q11920](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11920))
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007557254405171
- **Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID**: place/Soweto (qualifiers: P1810: Soweto)
- **Treccani's Dizionario di Storia ID**: soweto (qualifiers: P577: 2011, P1810: Soweto) (references: [Q84087675](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q84087675), 2021-12-09)
- **Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana ID**: 0063859
- **National Library of Israel ID**: XX4712501

## FAQs
- **What is Soweto's official name?** Soweto's official name is Soweto.
- **When was Soweto established?** Soweto was officially established in 1963.
- **What is the population of Soweto?** As of the 2011 census, Soweto had a population of 1,271,628.
- **What languages are spoken in Soweto?** The primary languages spoken in Soweto include Zulu, Sesotho, Tswana, Tsonga, and Xhosa.
- **What is the postal code for Soweto?** The postal code for Soweto is 4309.
- **What is the timezone for Soweto?** Soweto operates on the UTC+02:00 timezone.
- **What is the elevation of Soweto above sea level?** Soweto is located at an elevation of 1,632 meters above sea level.
- **What is the demonym for people from Soweto?** The demonym for people from Soweto is Sowetiani (masculine plural).
- **What is the GND ID for Soweto?** The GND ID for Soweto is 4105418-0.
- **What is the VIAF ID for Soweto?** The VIAF ID for Soweto is 140712506.

## Why It Matters
Soweto is a historically significant township in South Africa, known for its role in the struggle against apartheid and its cultural contributions to the country. It serves as a hub for education, culture, and community development, playing a crucial role in shaping South Africa's social and political landscape. The township's establishment in 1963 marked a significant step in the country's efforts to address urbanization and housing needs, particularly for the Black population. Soweto's population and demographic data provide insights into the country's demographic trends and urban development. The township's official identifiers and classifications help in its administrative and legal recognition. Soweto's cultural and linguistic diversity reflects the broader multicultural fabric of South Africa. The township's elevation and geographical coordinates are important for understanding its physical environment and planning. Soweto's historical and cultural significance continues to influence South Africa's identity and development.

## Notable For
- **Historical Significance**: Soweto is notable for its role in the anti-apartheid movement, particularly during the Soweto Uprising of 1976.
- **Cultural Hub**: It is a cultural and educational center, home to institutions like the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand.
- **Demographic Data**: Soweto's population statistics provide valuable insights into South Africa's urbanization and demographic trends.
- **Geographical Features**: The township's elevation and geographical coordinates are important for understanding its physical environment.
- **Administrative Recognition**: Soweto's official identifiers and classifications are crucial for its administrative and legal recognition.
- **Cultural Diversity**: The township's linguistic diversity reflects the broader multicultural fabric of South Africa.
- **Historical Contributions**: Soweto's historical and cultural significance continues to influence South Africa's identity and development.

## Body
### History
Soweto was officially established in 1963 as part of the government's efforts to address urbanization and housing needs, particularly for the Black population. The township's history is deeply intertwined with South Africa's struggle against apartheid, with events such as the Soweto Uprising of 1976 becoming iconic symbols of resistance.

### Geography
Soweto is located in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, with a total area of 200 square kilometers. The township's coordinates are latitude -26.267777777777777 and longitude 27.85861111111111, and it has an elevation of 1,632 meters above sea level. These geographical features are important for understanding the township's physical environment and planning.

### Demographics
As of the 2011 census, Soweto had a population of 1,271,628, with 631,040 males and 640,588 females. The primary languages spoken in the township include Zulu, Sesotho, Tswana, Tsonga, and Xhosa. These demographic data provide insights into the township's social and cultural composition.

### Administration
Soweto's official identifiers include the GND ID 4105418-0, VIAF ID 140712506, and UN/LOCODE ZAZEV. These identifiers are crucial for the township's administrative and legal recognition. The postal code for Soweto is 4309, and it operates on the UTC+02:00 timezone.

### Culture and Education
Soweto is a cultural and educational hub, home to institutions like the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand. The township's cultural diversity is reflected in its linguistic and social practices, contributing to its rich cultural landscape.

### Notable Events
The Soweto Uprising of 1976 is a notable event in Soweto's history, marking a significant moment in the anti-apartheid movement. This event has had a lasting impact on South Africa's political and social landscape.

### References and Identifiers
Soweto's various identifiers, including the Geonames ID 953781, Freebase ID /m/0729t, and MusicBrainz Area ID df69d2eb-1703-4..., are important for referencing the township in different databases and systems. These identifiers help in cross-referencing and integrating Soweto's data with other sources.

### Categorization
Soweto is classified as a large human settlement and a city, with a sitelink count of 252. It is part of the Category:Soweto and has associated categories for people born and associated with the township.

### External Links
Soweto's external links include references to various databases and platforms, such as the Library of Congress, National Library of Israel, and Encyclopædia Britannica. These links provide additional resources for further research and understanding of the township.

### Significance
Soweto's historical and cultural significance continues to influence South Africa's identity and development. The township's role in the anti-apartheid movement and its contributions to education and culture make it a vital part of the country's heritage.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. archINFORM
3. South African Post Office
4. [Source](http://www.postoffice.co.za/tools/pcodes.xls)
5. MusicBrainz
6. [Source](https://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/798026)
7. GeoNames
8. BBC Things
9. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
10. Dizionario di Storia
11. KBpedia