German South West Africa

former colony of the German Empire

German South West Africa (German: Deutsch-Südwestafrika, DSWA) was a German colony in Africa from 1884 through 1915. It is now Namibia. From 1891, the capital was Windhoek, the same city as the capital of today's Namibia. It covered an area of 835,100 km2 (322,434 sq mi). This is over one and half times the size of the German Empire at the time.

German South West Africa
Deutsch-Südwestafrika
1884–1915
Flag of South West Africa
Flag
Coat of arms of South West Africa
Coat of arms
Green: German South West Africa Dark Grey: Other German possessions Black: German Empire Note: The historical extent of German territories are depicted over present-day political borders.
Green: German South West Africa
Dark Grey: Other German possessions
Black: German Empire Note: The historical extent of German territories are depicted over present-day political borders.
StatusGerman colony
CapitalWindhoek (from 1891)
Common languagesGerman (official), Herero, Afrikaans, Khoekhoe
Religion
Christianity, Saan religion
Governor 
• 1898–1905
Theodor von Leutwein
• 1905–1907
Friedrich von Lindequist
• 1907–1910
Bruno von Schuckmann
• 1910–1915
Theodor Seitz
Historical eraScramble for Africa
• Established
7 August 1884
• Genocide
1904–1907
• Disestablished
9 July 1915
• Treaty of Versailles
1919
Area
835,100 km2 (322,400 sq mi)
CurrencyGerman South West African mark
Succeeded by
South West Africa
Today part of Namibia