View source for Lüderitz

{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Contains special characters|Khoekhoe}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
|name          = Lüderitz
|native_name            = 
|other_name             = 
|settlement_type        = [[List of cities and towns in Namibia|Town]]
|image_skyline          = Lutheran_Church_Luderotz.jpg
|imagesize              = 300px
|image_caption          = An aerial view of Lüderitz with the Felsenkirche in the foreground and the rest of the town in the background
|image_flag             =
|flag_size              =
|image_seal             =
|seal_size              =
|image_shield           = Wappen Lüderitz - Namibia.jpg
|shield_size            =
|image_blank_emblem     =
|blank_emblem_type      =
|blank_emblem_size      =
|nickname               =
|motto                  = Challenge, Innovation, Prosperity
<!-- images and maps  ----------->
| image_map              = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=280|frame-height=280|zoom=12|frame-lat= -26.645833|frame-long=15.153889 |type=shape|marker=city|id= Q159325 |stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|title= Lüderitz}}
|mapsize                =
|map_caption            =
|pushpin_map            = Namibia#Africa <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
|pushpin_label_position =bottom
|pushpin_mapsize        =300
|pushpin_map_caption    =Location in Namibia
<!-- Location ------------------>
|coordinates            = {{coord|26|38|45|S|015|09|14|E|region:NA|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = {{flag|Namibia}}
|subdivision_type1      = [[Regions of Namibia|Region]]
|subdivision_type2      = [[Constituencies of Namibia|Constituency]]
|subdivision_type3      =
|subdivision_name1      = [[ǁKaras Region]]
|subdivision_name2      = [[ǃNamiǂNûs Constituency]]
|subdivision_name3      =
<!-- Politics ----------------->
|established_title      = Established <!-- Settled -->
|established_date       = 1883
<!-- Area    --------------------->
|government_footnotes   =
|government_type        =
|leader_title           = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name            = [[Phillippus A. Balhao]] ([[Independent Patriots for Change|IPC]])
|leader_title1          = [[Deputy Mayor]]
|leader_name1           = [[Josephine Heita]] ([[South West Africa People's Organisation|SWAPO]])
|unit_pref                =Imperial <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
|area_footnotes           =
|area_magnitude         =
|area_total_km2           = 14.2 
|area_total_sq_mi         =
<!-- Population   ----------------------->
|area_land_km2            = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on automatic unit conversion-->
|area_water_km2           =
|elevation_footnotes    =  <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
|elevation_m            =
|elevation_ft           =
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|population_total               = 16,125
|population_as_of               = 2023
|population_footnotes           = <ref name=nsa2023/>
|population_density_km2         = auto
|population_density_sq_mi       =
|population_urban               =
|population_density_urban_km2   =
|population_density_urban_sq_mi =
|population_metro               =
|population_density_metro_km2   =
|population_density_metro_sq_mi =
|population_blank1_title        =Ethnicities
|population_blank1              =
|population_density_blank1_km2 =
|population_density_blank1_sq_mi =
<!-- General information  --------------->
|population_note                =
|postal_code_type       =  <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
|postal_code            =
|area_code              =
|website                = {{URL|luderitz-tc.com}}
|footnotes              =
|timezone               = [[South African Standard Time|SAST]]
|utc_offset             = +2
|timezone_DST           =
|utc_offset_DST         =
|blank_name             = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
|blank_info             = [[Desert climate#Cold desert climates|BWk]]
|blank1_name            =
|blank1_info            =
}}

[[File:Luderitz bird's eye view.jpg|thumb|Bird's eye view of Lüderitz (May 2017)]]

'''Lüderitz''' is a town in the [[ǁKaras Region]] of southern [[Namibia]]. It lies on one of the least hospitable coasts in Africa. It is a port developed around Robert Harbour and [[Shark Island, Namibia|Shark Island]]. Lüderitz had a population of 16,125 people in 2023.

The town is known for its [[colonial architecture]], including some [[Art Nouveau]] work, and wildlife, including [[seal (mammal)|seal]]s, [[penguin]]s, [[flamingo]]s, and [[ostrich]]es. It is also home to a museum and lies at the end of a {{As of|2012|alt=currently}} decommissioned [[railway line]] to [[Keetmanshoop]]. The town is named after [[Adolf Lüderitz]], founder of the [[German South West Africa]] colony.

== Economy and infrastructure ==
The centre of Lüderitz's economic activity is the port, until the incorporation of the [[exclave]] [[Walvis Bay]] in 1994, the only suitable harbour on Namibia's coast. However, the harbour at Lüderitz has a comparatively shallow rock bottom, making it unusable for many modern ships. The recent addition of a new [[quay]] has allowed larger fishing vessels to dock at Lüderitz. The town has also re-styled itself in an attempt to lure tourists to the area, which includes a new [[Waterfront (area)|waterfront]] area for shops and offices.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

The German magazine ''[[Der Spiegel]]'' reports that a massive [[green hydrogen]] project is taking shape 80 kilometers south of Lüderitz, in [[Tsau ǁKhaeb Sperrgebiet National Park]]. For the operation of one of the five largest hydrogen plants in the world, 500 wind turbines and 40 square kilometers of solar panels are to be constructed. The green hydrogen will be piped to Lüderitz, where a desalination plant and an ammonia production facility are planned. The total investment will roughly equal Namibia's entire gross domestic product.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-massive-opportunity-namibia-s-green-hydrogen-future-a-2c255cff-c4d9-46c1-8fdd-1687ed24b57c?sara_ecid=nl_upd_1jtzCCtmxpVo9GAZr2b4X8GquyeAc9&nlid=spiegel-international-21-00  |title=Der Spiegel  |website=Der Spiegel (English edition) 18.08.2023|date=18 August 2023 |language=en |last1=Hoffmann |first1=Heiner |last2=Trenchard |first2=Tommy }}</ref>

Lüderitz is situated on the [[B4 road (Namibia)|B4 national road]] to [[Keetmanshoop]]. It is also the terminus of the {{Convert|318|km}} railway line to [[Seeheim]], where the railway connects to the rest of the country's network. This line, built by inmates of the concentration camp on Shark Island, was completed in 1908<ref name="KDRail">{{cite web
|url=http://www.klausdierks.com/Namibia_Rail/2.htm
|title=The Development of the Namibian Railway Network. The Rail History Until the 1990s
|last=Dierks
|first=Klaus
|author-link=Klaus Dierks
|publisher=www.klausdierks.com
|access-date=6 November 2012}}</ref> but is currently not operational. Rebuilding of the remaining {{Convert|47|km}} track gap to [[Aus, Namibia|Aus]] has been delayed since 2009.

The town very early had a power plant, used to power the electrified railway lines that served the diamond mining industry in Kolmanskop, [[Pomona, Namibia|Pomona]], [[Bogenfels]] (completed 1913), and [[Charlottental]] (completed 1920). With {{Convert|1.5|MW}} of output, it is assumed to be the largest in Africa at that time.<ref name="history2">{{citation
|title=The Development of the Namibian Railway Network | chapter=The German Period 1895–1915 | last=Dierks | first=Klaus | author-link=Klaus Dierks | url=http://www.klausdierks.com/Namibia_Rail/2.htm | access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=Eisenbahn>{{citation
|title=Namibias Schmalspureisenbahnen erschließen Afrikas letzte Wildnis. Namibias Schienenverkehr zwischen Aufbau und Rückgang | trans-title=Namibia's Narrow-Gauge Railways Develop Africa's Last Wilderness. Rise and Fall of Namibia's Railway Transport | language=de | last=Dierks | first=Klaus | author-link=Klaus Dierks | url=https://www.klausdierks.com/Eisenbahnen/index.html | access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Lüderitz Territory (formerly Angra Pequena), today Lüderitz, Namibia German Medal 1884, obverse.jpg|thumb|left|Angra Pequena View from Nautilus Point, German [[Medal]] 1884, obverse]]
[[File:Lüderitz Territory (formerly Angra Pequena), today Lüderitz, Namibia German Medal 1884, reverse.jpg|thumb|left|German Protectorate Medal [[Lüderitz Bay|Lüderitz Territory]] 7 August 1884, reverse.]]
The bay on which Lüderitz is situated was first known to Europeans when [[Bartolomeu Dias]] encountered it in 1487. He named the bay ''[[Angra Pequena]]'' ({{langx|pt|Small Bay}}) and erected a [[padrão]] (stone cross) on the southern peninsula. In the 18th century, Dutch adventurers and scientists explored the area in search of minerals, but did not have much success. Further exploration expeditions followed in the early 19th century, during which the vast wildlife in the ocean was discovered. Profitable enterprises were set up, including [[whaling]], [[seal hunting]], fishing, and [[guano]]<nowiki/>harvesting. Lüderitz thus began its life as a [[trading post]].<ref name="Lüderitzbucht">{{cite news
|title=Lüderitzbucht: Gründer- und Diamantenstadt
|trans-title=Lüderitzbucht: Town of Pioneers and Diamonds
|language=de
|last=von Schmettau
|first=Konny
|date=28 February 2013
|work=[[Allgemeine Zeitung (Namibia)|Allgemeine Zeitung]]
|publisher=Tourismus Namibia monthly supplement
|page=6}}</ref>

The town was founded in 1883 when Heinrich Vogelsang purchased Angra Pequena and some of the surrounding land on behalf of [[Adolf Lüderitz]], a ''[[Hanseaten (class)|Hanseatic]]'' from [[Bremen]] in Germany, from the local [[Nama people|Nama]] chief [[Josef Frederiks II]] in [[Bethanie, Namibia|Bethanie]]. On 7 August 1884, the German Flag was officially hoisted in Angra Pequena. When Adolf Lüderitz did not return from an expedition to the [[Orange River]] in 1886, Angra Pequena was named ''Lüderitzbucht'' in his honour.<ref name="Lüderitzbucht"/> The later shortening of the town's name to ''Lüderitz'' also refers to him.<ref name="EB1911">{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= German South-West Africa | volume= 11 |last= Cana |first= Frank Richardson | pages = 800&ndash;804 |short= 1}}</ref>
In 1905, German authorities established a [[Shark Island Concentration Camp|concentration camp on Shark Island]]. The camp, access to which was very restricted, operated between 1905 and 1907 during the [[Herero Wars]]. Between 1,000 and 3,000 Africans from the [[Herero people|Herero]] and [[Nama people|Nama]] tribes died here as a result of the tragic conditions of forced labour. Their labour was used for the expansion of the city, railway, port, and on the farms of white settlers.{{sfn|Zimmerer|Zeller|2003|p=80}}<ref>{{cite book | last = Overmans | first = Rüdiger | title = In der Hand des Feindes : Kriegsgefangenschaft von der Antike bis zum Zweiten Weltkrieg | year = 1999 | language = de | page = 291 | quote = Die Verhältnisse in Swakopmund, zu denen sich Tecklenburg äußerte, stellten keine Ausnahme dar. Noch schlimmer lagen die Verhältnisse im Konzentrationslager auf der Haifischinsel vor Lüderitzbucht, dem größten Gefangenenlager. Dort wurden sowohl Herero wie Nama interniert und ihrem Schicksal überlassen. Die Inhaftierung auf de." reprinted in Jürgen Zimmerer ''Deutsche Herrschaft über Afrikaner: Staatlicher Machtanspruch und ... '' (2004). Page 46.}}</ref>{{sfn|Erichsen|2005|pp={{page needed|date=February 2013}}}}

In 1909, after the discovery of [[diamond]]s nearby, Lüderitz enjoyed a sudden surge of prosperity due to the development of a [[diamond rush]] to the area. In 1912, Lüderitz already had 1,100 inhabitants, not counting the indigenous population. Although situated in a harsh environment between desert and Ocean, trade in the harbour town surged, and the adjacent diamond mining settlement of [[Kolmanskop]] was built.<ref name="Gondwana">{{cite journal | title=Unverwüstliche Felsenkirche zwischen Wüste und Meer | trans-title=Indestructible Rock Church between Desert and Ocean | journal=Gondwana History | publisher=supplement to various Namibian newspapers | issue=92 | date=7 August 2012 | language=de}}</ref>

After the German [[World War I]] capitulation, [[Union of South Africa|South Africa]] took over the administration of [[German South West Africa]] in 1915. Many Germans were deported from Lüderitz, contributing to its shrinking population numbers. From 1920 onwards, diamond mining was only conducted further south of the town in places like [[Pomona, Namibia|Pomona]] and [[Elizabeth Bay, Namibia|Elizabeth Bay]]. This development consequently led to the loss of Lüderitz's importance as a trading place. Only small fishing enterprises, minimal dock activity, and a few carpet weavers remained.<ref name="Gondwana"/>

To remove colonial names from the maps of Namibia, on 8 August 2013, the Namibian government renamed the constituency ǃNamiǂNûs, its name before 1884.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Namibia-renames-Caprivi-Strip-20130808|title=Namibia renames Caprivi Strip|work=news24.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.newera.com.na/articles/53580/President-divides-Kavango-into-two
|title=President divides Kavango into two
|last=Nakale
|first=Albertina
|date=9 August 2013
|newspaper=[[New Era (Namibia)|New Era]]
|access-date=10 August 2013
|archive-date=9 August 2013
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130809090822/http://www.newera.com.na/articles/53580/President-divides-Kavango-into-two
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Kolmanskop near Lüderitz, Namibia (2017).jpg|thumb|left|Ghost town [[Kolmanskop]] (2017)]]

Just outside Lüderitz lies the [[ghost town]] of [[Kolmanskop]], a prominent tourist destination in the [[Namib]] Desert. This previously bustling diamond town is now abandoned and fights a constant struggle against being buried under the shifting  [[dune]]s of the desert.

{{Historical populations|2001|13,295|2011|12,537|2023|16,125|percentages=pagr|align=none|footnote=Sources:<ref name=nsa2011>{{cite web | title=4.2.2 Urban population by Census years (2001 and 2011) | url=http://cms.my.na/assets/documents/p19dmn58guram30ttun89rdrp1.pdf | work=Namibia 2011 - Population and Housing Census Main Report | publisher=[[Namibia Statistics Agency]] | access-date=1 November 2024 | page=39}}</ref><ref name=nsa2023>{{cite web | title=4.5 Population by town and census years (2011 and 2023) | url=https://nsa.org.na/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2023-Population-and-Housing-Census-Main-Report-28-Oct-2024.pdf | work=Namibia 2023 - Population and Housing Census. Main Report | publisher=[[Namibia Statistics Agency]] | access-date=1 November 2024 | pages=33–34}}</ref>}}

===Conservation===
[[File:Dolphins at Lüderitz, Namibia (3144863196).jpg|thumb|[[Heaviside's dolphin]] off Lüderitz.]]
The coastline of the area is recognised by [[BirdLife International|Bird Life]] and other global conservation groups as being an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA), i.e., vital for coastal seabird breeding.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.nacoma.org.na/Our_Coast/WalkOnOurCoastline.htm 
 |title=Walk on our coastline 
 |publisher=[[Namibian Coast Conservation and Management Project]] (NACOMA) 
 |access-date=21 October 2008 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721154939/http://www.nacoma.org.na/Our_Coast/WalkOnOurCoastline.htm 
 |archive-date=21 July 2009 }}</ref>

In April 2009, an [[2009 Lüderitz oil spill|oil spill]] from an [[oil tanker]] risked the safety of countless [[African penguin]]s and numerous other species of endemic flora and fauna.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Namibia: Oil Slicks - a Common Occurrence in Namibia |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201502261389.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20151119090417/http://allafrica.com/stories/201502261389.html |archive-date=2015-11-19 |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=allAfrica.com |language=en}}</ref>

Several species of [[cetacea]]n, notably the diminutive [[Heaviside's dolphin]], can be seen closer to shore; larger whales such as [[Southern right whale|southern right]],<ref>The [[Namibian Sun]]. 2013. [https://web.archive.org/web/20141217121239/http://www.sun.com.na/content/agri/southern-right-whale-right-whale-protect Southern right whale – The right whale to protect]. Retrieved on 24 October 2015</ref><ref>Travel News Namibia. 2012. [http://travelnewsnamibia.com/archives/conservation-magazine/the-return-of-the-whales/#.VFDbxCKsV8E The return of the whales] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029135204/http://travelnewsnamibia.com/archives/conservation-magazine/the-return-of-the-whales/#.VFDbxCKsV8E |date=29 October 2014 }}. Retrieved on 24 October 2014</ref> [[Humpback whale|humpback]], [[Minke whale|minke]], [[Fin whale|fin]], and [[Pygmy right whale|pygmy right]] are found in [[Pelagic zone|pelagic]] zones further from the mainland.

===Climate===
Lüderitz has a [[desert climate]] (''BWk'', according to the [[Köppen climate classification]]), with moderate temperatures throughout the year. The average annual precipitation is {{convert|17|mm|inch|lk=out|abbr=off}}. Windy and cold conditions can occur due to the cold [[South Atlantic Current|South Atlantic current]] on the coast.

{{Clear}}
{{Weather box
|location = Lüderitz
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 32.5
|Feb record high C = 30.0
|Mar record high C = 34.1
|Apr record high C = 36.5
|May record high C = 33.0
|Jun record high C = 31.6
|Jul record high C = 30.7
|Aug record high C = 33.0
|Sep record high C = 35.1
|Oct record high C = 35.0
|Nov record high C = 37.5
|Dec record high C = 30.6
|year record high C = 37.5
|Jan high C = 21.4
|Feb high C = 21.3
|Mar high C = 21.1
|Apr high C = 19.9
|May high C = 19.2
|Jun high C = 19.0
|Jul high C = 17.9
|Aug high C = 17.2
|Sep high C = 17.3
|Oct high C = 18.0
|Nov high C = 19.2
|Dec high C = 20.5
|year high C = 19.3
|Jan mean C = 17.7
|Feb mean C = 17.8
|Mar mean C = 17.4
|Apr mean C = 16.3
|May mean C = 15.5
|Jun mean C = 15.1
|Jul mean C = 14.1
|Aug mean C = 13.7
|Sep mean C = 13.9
|Oct mean C = 14.7
|Nov mean C = 15.8
|Dec mean C = 17.0
|year mean C = 15.7
|Jan low C = 14.0
|Feb low C = 14.3
|Mar low C = 13.8
|Apr low C = 12.6
|May low C = 11.7
|Jun low C = 11.2
|Jul low C = 10.4
|Aug low C = 10.2
|Sep low C = 10.5
|Oct low C = 11.4
|Nov low C = 12.3
|Dec low C = 13.5
|year low C = 12.1
|Jan record low C = 5.5
|Feb record low C = 5.0
|Mar record low C = 6.0
|Apr record low C = 5.5
|May record low C = 3.3
|Jun record low C = 0.2
|Jul record low C = 3.0
|Aug record low C = 4.8
|Sep record low C = 3.4
|Oct record low C = 3.4
|Nov record low C = 4.9
|Dec record low C = 3.9
|year record low C = 0.2
|Jan precipitation mm = 0
|Feb precipitation mm = 1
|Mar precipitation mm = 2
|Apr precipitation mm = 2
|May precipitation mm = 3
|Jun precipitation mm = 3
|Jul precipitation mm = 1
|Aug precipitation mm = 2
|Sep precipitation mm = 1
|Oct precipitation mm = 0
|Nov precipitation mm = 0
|Dec precipitation mm = 0
|year precipitation mm = 17
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 1.0
|Feb precipitation days = 1.0
|Mar precipitation days = 1.0
|Apr precipitation days = 0.9
|May precipitation days = 1.4
|Jun precipitation days = 1.4
|Jul precipitation days = 1.0
|Aug precipitation days = 0.7
|Sep precipitation days = 0.5
|Oct precipitation days = 0.5
|Nov precipitation days = 0.5
|Dec precipitation days = 0.7
|year precipitation days = 10.6
|Jan humidity = 82
|Feb humidity = 81
|Mar humidity = 82
|Apr humidity = 80
|May humidity = 79
|Jun humidity = 72
|Jul humidity = 74
|Aug humidity = 78
|Sep humidity = 80
|Oct humidity = 80
|Nov humidity = 80
|Dec humidity = 80
|year humidity = 79
|Jan sun = 198.4
|Feb sun = 203.4
|Mar sun = 257.3
|Apr sun = 216.0
|May sun = 213.9
|Jun sun = 144.0
|Jul sun = 170.5
|Aug sun = 201.5
|Sep sun = 216.0
|Oct sun = 201.5
|Nov sun = 189.0
|Dec sun = 176.7
|year sun =
|Jand sun = 6.4
|Febd sun = 7.2
|Mard sun = 8.3
|Aprd sun = 7.2
|Mayd sun = 6.9
|Jund sun = 4.8
|Juld sun = 5.5
|Augd sun = 6.5
|Sepd sun = 7.2
|Octd sun = 6.5
|Novd sun = 6.3
|Decd sun = 5.7
|yeard sun = 6.5
|source 1 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]]<ref name = DWD>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_683000_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Lüderitz-Diaz Point (Leuchtturm) / Namibia
| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = 29 March 2016}}</ref>
|date=August 2011
}}

==Politics==
Lüderitz is twinned with [[Lüderitz, Germany|Lüderitz]] in Germany, part of the town of [[Tangerhütte]] since 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/id_83671432/altmark-ort-luederitz-knuepft-freundschaftsband-nach-namibia.html|title=Altmark-Ort Lüderitz knüpft Freundschaftsband nach Namibia|website=www.t-online.de|date=26 April 2018 |language=de|access-date=12 June 2019}}</ref>

Lüderitz is governed by a town council that has seven seats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luderitz-tc.com|title=Lüderitz...the Diamond of Namibia!|work=luderitz-tc.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | title=Know Your Local Authority | publisher=Institute for Public Policy Research | newspaper=Election Watch | year = 2015 | issue=3 | page=4}}</ref>

The [[Namibian local and regional elections, 2015|2015 local authority election]] was won by [[SWAPO]], which gained six seats (2,679 votes). The remaining seat went to the [[Democratic Turnhalle Alliance]] (DTA) with 265 votes.<ref>{{cite web | title=Local elections results | publisher=[[Electoral Commission of Namibia]] | page=3 | url=http://www.ecn.na/documents/27857/218731/LA+results+%28press+release%29+2015.pdf/870a030b-8547-487f-ad18-b22713b16d4c?version=1.0 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210194328/http://www.ecn.na/documents/27857/218731/LA+results+%28press+release%29+2015.pdf/870a030b-8547-487f-ad18-b22713b16d4c?version=1.0 | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 December 2015 | date=28 November 2015}}</ref> SWAPO also won the [[2020 Namibian local and regional elections|2020 local authority election]] but lost majority control over the town council. SWAPO obtained 1,244 votes and gained three seats. [[Independent Patriots for Change]] (IPC), an opposition party formed in August 2020, gained 990 votes and two seats. One seat each went to the [[Landless People's Movement (Namibia)|Landless People's Movement]] (LPM, a new party registered in 2018) with 515 votes and the [[Popular Democratic Movement]] (PDM, the new name of the DTA since 2017) with 343 votes.<ref>{{Cite web | title=2020 Local Authority Elections Results and Allocation of Seats | page=7 | date=29 November 2020 | publisher=[[Electoral Commission of Namibia]] | url=https://www.ecn.na/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Media-Release-on-LA-Results_2020.pdf | access-date=24 December 2020 | archive-date=24 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124162938/https://www.ecn.na/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Media-Release-on-LA-Results_2020.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Culture==
=== Media ===
Lüderitz has a local monthly newspaper, ''Buchter News''. The paper, which was started as a source of free English-language reading material, is run by volunteers from the British gap year charity Project Trust.

===Sport===
Lüderitz is home to the [[Lüderitz Speed Challenge]], the only international sporting event held in the town. This is an annual 6-week-long speed sailing event held in October and November each year under the auspices of the [[International Sailing Federation]] (ISAF) World Sailing Speed Record Council ([[WSSRC]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seabreeze.com.au/News/Sailing/Worlds-best-at-Luderitz-Speed-Challenge_1828219.aspx |title=World's best at Luderitz Speed Challenge &#124; Sailing News |publisher=Seabreeze.com.au |date=13 October 2008 |access-date=24 April 2012}}</ref> The Event is the brainchild of French kitesurfer Sebastian Cattalan, who became the first sailor in history to break the 50 Knot barrier in the purpose-built [[canal]] with a speed of 50.26 Knots in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sailspeedrecords.com/500-metre|title=500m Records|website=www.sailspeedrecords.com|access-date=17 September 2019}}</ref>

In October 2011, Turkish-born American adventurer [[Erden Eruç]] departed from Lüderitz Bay for the final ocean crossing of his Guinness world record-setting ''solo'' human-powered [[circumnavigation]] of the Earth.<ref name=gwr>{{cite web|title=Guinness World Records – First solo circumnavigation of the globe using human power|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/108422-first-solo-circumnavigation-of-the-globe-using-human-power|publisher=Guinness World Records|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319015308/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/108422-first-solo-circumnavigation-of-the-globe-using-human-power|archive-date=19 March 2016|access-date=16 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Eruç rowed to South America in an oceangoing rowboat, taking five months for the crossing to the town of [[Güiria]], [[Venezuela]].<ref name=psd>{{cite web|title=Media Kit – Project Summary Document|url=http://www.around-n-over.org/media/summary_HPC.pdf|publisher=Around-n-Over (PDF file linked from "around-n-over.org/media/mediakit.htm")|date=22 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214191249/http://www.around-n-over.org/media/summary_HPC.pdf|archive-date=14 February 2016|url-status=live|access-date=11 November 2016}}</ref>

== Notable people ==

* [[Manuel de Freitas]], South African politician, born in Lüderitz, resident of Johannesburg since age 7.
* [[Ida Jimmy]] (1945–2024), independence activist, national hero
* [[Joseph Obgeb Jimmy]] (1951–2004), a Namibian diplomat.
* [[Zacharias Lewala]] (fl. 1908) discovered a diamond in 1908, starting a diamond rush in the area of Lüderitz.
* [[Anton Lubowski]] (1952–1989), a Namibian anti-apartheid activist and advocate. Assassinated
* [[Adolf Lüderitz]] (1834 in Bremen – 1886), German merchant and eponym for the town.<ref name="EB1911"/>
* [[Hilaria Mukapuli]] (born 1969), Namibian politician and a legislator; Mayor of Lüderitz, 2016- 2019.
* [[Friedel Sellschop]] (1930–2002), a South African scientist, pioneered in applied nuclear physics.
* [[Mvula ya Nangolo]] (1943–2019), a Namibian journalist and poet, grew up in Lüderitz.

==Education==
{{expand section|date=March 2016}}
Previously, the German school Deutsche Schule Lüderitzbucht was located in the city. In 1965, it had 13 teachers and 140 learners and was supported by the German government.<ref>"[http://dipbt.bundestag.de/doc/btd/04/036/0403672.pdf Deutscher Bundestag 4. Wahlperiode Drucksache IV/3672]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160312191648/http://dipbt.bundestag.de/doc/btd/04/036/0403672.pdf Archive]). [[Bundestag]] (West Germany). 23 June 1965. Retrieved on 12 March 2016. p. 32.</ref> The town currently has 3 primary and 2 secondary schools: Diaz, Nautilus, and Helene van Rhijn Primary, Lüderitz Junior Secondary, and Angra Pequena Senior Secondary schools.

==Landmarks==
{|
|[[File:Luederitz Felsenkirche.jpg|thumb|800px|left |View of Felsenkirche and Lüderitz]]
|}

* '''Deutsche Afrika Bank''' building, erected in 1907, national monument<ref name=new>{{Cite news
 |title        = Three new heritage sites proclaimed
 |last         = Tjihenuna
 |first        = Theresia
 |newspaper    = [[The Namibian]]
 |date         = 2 September 2014
|url          = http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=17161
 |access-date  = 12 September 2014
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20140912114531/http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=17161
 |archive-date = 12 September 2014
|url-status     = dead
}}</ref>
* '''Felsenkirche''' ({{langx|en|Rock Church}}) on Diamond Hill, a church in [[Gothic Revival architecture|vertical Gothic]] style consecrated in 1912. After the diamond rush of 1908 and the completion of the railway line to [[Keetmanshoop]], Lüderitz became permanently home to a significant white population. As a result, a number of churches were built. Felsenkirche, one of the oldest [[Lutheran church]]es in Namibia, has been a national monument since 1978.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.namibian.com.na/index.php?id=28&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=97185&no_cache=1
|title=Lüderitz church celebrates centenary
|last=Bause
|first=Tanja
|date=21 May 2012
|newspaper=[[The Namibian]]}}</ref>
* '''Glück Auf''' building, built 1907/08 for a lawyer of the diamond companies, declared a national monument in 2014<ref name=new/>
* '''Goerkehaus''', the residence of Hans Goerke, manager and co-owner of the early diamond umbrella company, erected 1909–1911,<ref name="Lüderitzbucht"/> national monument<ref name=new/>
* '''Kreplinhaus''', the residence of the first mayor, Emil Kreplin, built in 1909,<ref name="Lüderitzbucht"/> national monument<ref name=new/>
* '''Krabbenhöft & Lampe''' building, after co-owners Friedrich Wilhelm Krabbenhöft and Oscar Lampe. The predecessor of this business, the ''Handelsstation F.W. Krabbenhöft'' in Keetmanshoop, had existed since 1880 and was one of the first formally registered businesses in South West Africa. Erection of the building started in late 1909 and has been a national monument since 1979.<ref>{{Cite news
|title=Neuer Eigner übernimmt 135 Jahre alte Firma
|trans-title=New owner takes over 135-year-old company
|language=de
|last=Becker
|first=Klaus J.
|newspaper=[[Allgemeine Zeitung (Namibia)|Allgemeine Zeitung]]
|date=25 May 2015}}</ref>
*'''[[Lüderitz Railway Station]]''', erected in 1904,<ref name="Lüderitzbucht"/> is also a national monument.<ref name=new/>
<gallery>
File:Görke-Haus_Lüderitz.jpg|Goerke Haus
File:Kapps-Ballsaal_Felsenkirche_Görke-Haus_Lüderitz.jpg|Kapps-Ballsaal with Felsenkirche and Goerke Haus in the background
File:Bergstraße_Lüderitz.jpg|Bergstraße
File:Woermannhaus Lüderitz (2017).jpg|''Woermannhaus'' (2017)
File:Lüderitz Robert Harbour and Islands, Namibia (2017).jpg|Lüderitz with Robert Harbour and Isles (2017)
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Lüderitz Reformed Church]]

== External links ==
{{commons}}

== References ==
===Notes===
{{reflist}}

===Literature===
* {{cite book 
| last = Erichsen 
| first = Casper W. 
| title = The angel of death has descended violently among them: Concentration camps and prisoners-of-war in Namibia, 1904–08 
| year = 2005 
| publisher = [[University of Leiden]] African Studies Centre 
| location = Leiden 
| isbn = 90-5448-064-5 
}}
* {{cite book 
| last1 = Zimmerer 
| first1 = Jürgen 
| last2 = Zeller 
| first2 = Joachim 
| title = Völkermord in Deutsch-Südwestafrika: Der Kolonialkrieg 1904 – 1908 
|trans-title=Genocide in German South West Africa: The Colonial War 1904–1908
| language=de
| year = 2003
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Luderitz}}
[[Category:Lüderitz| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Namibia]]
[[Category:Towns in Namibia]]
[[Category:Populated places in the ǁKaras Region]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Namibia]]
[[Category:1883 establishments in South West Africa]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1883]]