# Walvis Bay

> city and harbour in Erongo Region, Namibia

**Wikidata**: [Q220843](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q220843)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walvis_Bay)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/walvis-bay

## Summary
Walvis Bay is a port city and major human settlement located in the Erongo Region of Namibia. It is one of the country's most historically significant urban centers, known for its strategic coastal location and role in regional trade and transportation.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1840.
- Located in the Erongo Region of Namibia.
- Coordinates: Latitude -22.9494, Longitude 14.5069.
- Population: 102,704 as of 2023 (census); previously 85,000 in 2011.
- Area: 1,124,000,000 square meters.
- Timezone: UTC+02:00.
- Elevation: 6 meters above sea level.
- Postal code: 5017.
- Local dialing code: 64.
- License plate code: WB.
- Official name variations include Walvisbaai and Walfish Bay.
- Instance of: city, port city, human settlement.
- Country: Namibia (inception 1990).
- Has a Ramsar site designation for environmental protection.
- Home to Kuisebmund Stadium.
- Hosts multiple football clubs including Blue Waters F.C. (founded 1936) and Eleven Arrows F.C. (founded 1961).
- Twin cities include Kristiansand, Drakenstein Local Municipality, Lobatse, Ndola, Stenungsund Municipality, and Wenzhou.
- Connected to Walvis Bay Airport.
- Website: [https://www.walvisbaycc.org.na/](https://www.walvisbaycc.org.na/)
- Head of government (2012–2015): Uilika Nambahu.
- UN/LOCODE: NAWVB.
- Geonames ID: 3359638.
- Freebase ID: /m/0bsgd.
- Fast ID: 1202713.
- VIAF ID: 153543152.
- GND ID: 4280602-1.
- Lex ID: Walvis_Bay.
- BBC Things ID: 1ea04c6d-db42-47bb-bf28-9c8dfd255aa8.
- SNARC ID: Category:Sports competitions in Tanzania.
- WHO's ON FIRST IDs: 421172079, 890452797.
- Yale Lux ID: place/61024cee-48b8-4ef4-9b65-a443e92e8bef.
- MusicBrainz Area ID: c8ee744a-d280-4840-abaf-826cacca819d.
- WorldCat Entities ID: E39PBJfh8ck8GWPMy6MHYR48YP.
- National Library of Brazil ID: 000093181.
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n50026479.
- National Library of Spain SPMABN ID: XX6377696.
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 9870075544824605171.
- Encyclopædia Universalis ID: walvis-bay.
- Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID: place/Walvis-Bay.
- Online PWN Encyclopedia ID: 3993739.
- ASC Leiden Thesaurus ID: 294943633.
- Museum Digital Place ID: 221066.
- UK Parliament Thesaurus ID: 13659.
- World Historical Gazetteer Place ID: 14154606.
- Quora Topic: Walvis-Bay.
- Wikikids ID: Walvisbaai.
- Native label: Walvisbaai.
- Described by sources such as The Nuttall Encyclopædia, Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, and The New Student's Reference Work.
- Sitelink count: 75.
- Locator map image: [Wahlkreis Walfischbucht Stadt in Erongo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Wahlkreis_Walfischbucht_Stadt_in_Erundo.png).
- Page banner: [NA_Walvisbat_Wikivoyage_banner.JPG](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/NA_Walvisbat_Wikivoyage_banner.JPG).
- Coat of arms image: [Walvis_Bay_COA.svg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Walvis_Bay_COA.svg).
- Image: [NA_WalvisBay_Aeroview.JPG](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/NA_WalvisBay_Aeroview.JPG).
- Commons gallery: Walvis Bay.
- Commons category: Walvis Bay.
- Wikipedia title: Walvis Bay.
- Wikipedia languages: 60+ including Afrikaans, Arabic, Chinese, Finnish, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and many others.
- Category for maps or plans: Category:Maps of Walvis Bay.
- Category of associated people: Category:People from Walvis Bay.
- Topic's main category: Category:Walvis Bay.
- Store ID (Google Play): Walvis_Bay.

## FAQs
**What is Walvis Bay known for?**  
Walvis Bay is known as a major port city in Namibia, historically significant for its role in trade and transportation. It is also recognized for its Ramsar site designation, indicating its ecological importance.

**When was Walvis Bay founded?**  
Walvis Bay was founded in 1840.

**What is the population of Walvis Bay?**  
As of 2023, the population of Walvis Bay is 102,704, up from 85,000 in 2011.

**What administrative region is Walvis Bay in?**  
Walvis Bay is located in the Erongo Region of Namibia.

**What is the official name of Walvis Bay?**  
The official names include Walvisbaai and Walfish Bay.

**What is the time zone of Walvis Bay?**  
Walvis Bay is in the UTC+02:00 time zone.

**What is the elevation of Walvis Bay?**  
Walvis Bay is approximately 6 meters above sea level.

**What is the postal code of Walvis Bay?**  
The postal code for Walvis Bay is 5017.

**What is the license plate code for Walvis Bay?**  
The license plate code for Walvis Bay is WB.

**What is the local dialing code for Walvis Bay?**  
The local dialing code for Walvis Bay is 64.

**What organizations or designations is Walvis Bay associated with?**  
Walvis Bay is a Ramsar site, indicating its ecological significance. It is also twinned with several cities including Kristiansand, Drakenstein Local Municipality, Lobatse, Ndola, Stenungsund Municipality, and Wenzhou.

**What sports organizations are based in Walvis Bay?**  
Walvis Bay is home to football clubs such as Blue Waters F.C. (founded 1936) and Eleven Arrows F.C. (founded 1961). It also owns the Kuisebmund Stadium.

**What is the head of government of Walvis Bay?**  
Uilika Nambahu served as head of government from 2012 to 2015.

**What is the UN/LOCODE for Walvis Bay?**  
The UN/LOCODE for Walvis Bay is NAWVB.

**What are some aliases for Walvis Bay?**  
Aliases include Walfish Bay, Bahia Walvis, Bahía Walvis, Walbisbaai, Walfischbucht, Walvis Bay Stadt, Walvisbay, Walfischbai, ウォルヴィスベイ, 華維斯灣, 鯨灣港, and 월비스 베이.

## Why It Matters
Walvis Bay holds a central role in Namibia's economic and cultural landscape due to its status as a port city. Its strategic location on the Atlantic coast makes it a key hub for maritime trade and transportation. The city's designation as a Ramsar site underscores its environmental importance, particularly in preserving wetlands. As a historically significant settlement, it contributes to the understanding of Namibia's colonial and post-colonial development. The city also plays a role in sports and local governance, hosting clubs and events that reflect its community engagement.

## Notable For
- Being one of Namibia's primary port cities.
- Hosting historically significant football clubs like Blue Waters F.C. and Eleven Arrows F.C.
- Its designation as a Ramsar site, highlighting its ecological value.
- Serving as a key node in regional transportation and trade.
- Being twinned with multiple international cities, promoting cultural exchange.
- Hosting the Kuisebmund Stadium, a key sports facility.
- Having a diverse set of aliases and official names reflecting its multicultural heritage.

## Body

### History
Walvis Bay was founded in 1840 and has since played a significant role in Namibia's history. It was incorporated into the newly independent nation of Namibia in 1990. The city has been documented in historical encyclopedias such as the Encyclopædia Britannica and The Nuttall Encyclopædia, highlighting its long-standing recognition.

### Geography and Demographics
Located in the Erongo Region, Walvis Bay is a coastal city with coordinates at -22.9494° latitude and 14.5069° longitude. It sits just 6 meters above sea level and covers an area of 1,124,000,000 square meters. The city's population has grown significantly, from 85,000 in 2011 to 102,704 in 2023, according to the national census.

### Administrative Details
Walvis Bay operates under the local dialing code 64 and has a postal code of 5017. The license plate code for the city is WB. The head of government from 2012 to 2015 was Uilika Nambahu. The city is part of the UTC+02:00 time zone.

### Cultural and International Ties
The city is twinned with several international cities, including Kristiansand, Drakenstein Local Municipality, Lobatse, Ndola, Stenungsund Municipality, and Wenzhou. These partnerships facilitate cultural and economic exchanges. Walvis Bay is also recognized by the UN with the LOCODE NAWVB.

### Sports and Recreation
Walvis Bay is home to two notable football clubs: Blue Waters F.C., established in 1936, and Eleven Arrows F.C., founded in 1961. The city owns the Kuisebmund Stadium, which serves as a central venue for sports events.

### Environmental Significance
Walvis Bay is designated as a Ramsar site, indicating its importance for wetland conservation. This status underscores the city's role in environmental protection and biodiversity.

### Infrastructure and Transportation
The city is connected to Walvis Bay Airport, facilitating air travel. The airport is located within the same country, Namibia, and supports the city's role as a transportation hub.

### Official Designations and Identifiers
Walvis Bay is identified by numerous international databases and systems, including:
- Geonames ID: 3359638
- Freebase ID: /m/0bsgd
- Fast ID: 1202713
- VIAF ID: 153543152
- GND ID: 4280602-1
- Lex ID: Walvis_Bay
- BBC Things ID: 1ea04c6d-db42-47bb-bf28-9c8dfd255aa8
- SNARC ID: Category:Sports competitions in Tanzania
- WHO's ON FIRST IDs: 421172079, 890452797
- Yale Lux ID: place/61024cee-48b8-4ef4-9b65-a443e92e8bef
- MusicBrainz Area ID: c8ee744a-d280-4840-abaf-826cacca819d
- WorldCat Entities ID: E39PBJfh8ck8GWPMy6MHYR48YP
- National Library of Brazil ID: 000093181
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n50026479
- National Library of Spain SPMABN ID: XX6377696
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007554824605171
- Encyclopædia Universalis ID: walvis-bay
- Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID: place/Walvis-Bay
- Online PWN Encyclopedia ID: 3993739
- ASC Leiden Thesaurus ID: 294943633
- Museum Digital Place ID: 21066
- UK Parliament Thesaurus ID: 13659
- World Historical Gazetteer Place ID: 14154606
- Quora Topic: Walvis-Bay
- Wikikids ID: Walvisbaai
- Native label: Walvisbaai

### Media and References
Walvis Bay is documented across numerous encyclopedias and databases, including The Nuttall Encyclopædia, Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, and The New Student's Reference Work. It is also featured in the Wikipedia languages list with over 60 entries, reflecting its global recognition.

### Digital Presence
The city maintains a digital presence through its official website: [https://www.walvisbaycc.org.na/](https://www.walvisbaycc.org.na/), and is also listed on platforms like Google Play under the store ID "Walvis_Bay".

### Cultural Identity and Heritage
Walvis Bay's cultural identity is reflected in its diverse aliases such as Walfish Bay, Bahia Walvis, Walbisbaai, and Walfischbucht. Its native label is Walvisbaai, and it is recognized in multiple languages across global platforms.

### Governance and Leadership
Uilika Nambahu served as the head of government from 2012 to 2015. The city's governance is also reflected in its official designations and administrative codes, such as its license plate code WB and local dialing code 64.

### Visual and Geographic Representation
Walvis Bay is visually represented through its coat of arms, locator maps, and aerial views, including:
- Locator map image: [Wahlkreis Walfischbucht Stadt in Erongo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Wahlkreis_Walfischbucht_Stadt_in_Erundo.png)
- Page banner: [NA_Walvisbat_Wikivoyage_banner.JPG](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/NA_Walvisbat_Wikivoyage_banner.JPG)
- Coat of arms image: [Walvis_Bay_COA.svg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Walvis_Bay_COA.svg)
- Image: [NA_WalvisBay_Aeroview.JPG](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/NA_WalvisBay_Aeroview.JPG)

### Community and Sports
The city's community engagement is evident through its sports organizations, including Blue Waters F.C. and Eleven Arrows F.C., and its ownership of the Kuisebmund Stadium. These institutions reflect the city's active participation in regional sports and cultural events.

### International Recognition
Walvis Bay is part of the global knowledge base, with entries in numerous international databases and platforms, including:
- Sitelink count: 75
- Commons gallery: Walvis Bay
- Commons category: Walvis Bay
- Wikipedia title: Walvis Bay
- Category for maps or plans: Category:Maps of Walvis Bay
- Category of associated people: Category:People from Walvis Bay
- Topic's main category: Category:Walvis Bay

These connections and designations highlight Walvis Bay's significance not only within Namibia but also on the global stage.

## References

1. [2015](https://neweralive.na/posts/immanuel-wilfred-elected-walvis-bay-mayor)
2. [Source](http://www.kristiansand.kommune.no/no/Om-Kristiansand/Internasjonalt-arbeid/Vennskapsbyer/Walvis-Bay-Namibia)
3. [Source](http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?archive_id=87879&page_type=archive_story_detail&page=2561)
4. [Source](http://www.walvisbaycc.org.na/?page_id=122)
5. [Source](http://www.az.com.na/lokales/quelle-fr-wissen.95421.php)
6. [Source](http://english.wenzhou.gov.cn/art/2011/8/17/art_10601_176722.html)
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. MusicBrainz
10. [Source](https://census.nsanamibia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2023-Population-and-Housing-Census-Main-Report-28-Oct-2024.pdf)
11. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
12. GeoNames
13. BBC Things
14. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/na.htm)
15. Quora
16. ASC Leiden Thesaurus dataset of 5 June 2018
17. museum-digital