View source for Seeheim

{{For|the German municipality|Seeheim-Jugenheim}}
{{Infobox settlement
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|name          =Seeheim
|other_name             =
|native_name            =  <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|nickname               =
|settlement_type        = [[List of villages and settlements in Namibia|Settlement]]
|motto                  =
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|image_skyline          = Seeheim Namibia (2018).jpg
|imagesize              =
|image_caption          = Aerial view on Seeheim (2018)
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|pushpin_map            = Namibia <!-- 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 ------------------>
|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = {{flag|Namibia}}
|subdivision_type1      = [[Regions of Namibia|Region]]
|subdivision_name1      = [[ǁKaras Region]]
|subdivision_type2      =
|subdivision_name2      =
|subdivision_type3      =
|subdivision_name3      =
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|leader_title1          =  <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
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|established_title      = Founded
|established_date       = 1896
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|area_magnitude         =
|unit_pref                =Imperial <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
|area_footnotes           =
|area_total_km2           = <!-- ALL fields dealing with a measurements are subject to automatic unit conversion-->
|area_land_km2            = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on automatic unit conversion-->
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<!-- Population   ----------------------->
|population_as_of               = 2010
|population_footnotes           =<ref name="KP">{{cite news
|title       = Karas profile
|last        = Sasman
|first       = Catherine
|newspaper   = [[New Era (Namibia)|New Era]]
|date        = 10 November 2010
|url         = http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=36146
|archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120515225921/http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=36146
|archivedate = 15 May 2012
|url-status     = dead
}}</ref>
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|population_total               = 20–30
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|population_blank1_title        =Ethnicities
|population_blank1              =
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|timezone               = [[South African Standard Time]]
|utc_offset             = +2
|timezone_DST           =
|utc_offset_DST         =
|coordinates            = {{coord|26|49|S|17|47|E|region:NA|display=inline}}
|elevation_footnotes    =  <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
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}}
{{Contains special characters|Khoekhoe}}
'''Seeheim''' is a settlement in the [[ǁKaras Region]] of southern [[Namibia]]. The only notable structures in Seeheim today are the hotel and the [[Seeheim railway station|railway station]]; only a handful of people live there. Seeheim belongs to the [[Keetmanshoop Rural]] electoral constituency.<ref name="KP"/>
== History ==
Seeheim was founded in 1896 as a base for the German [[Schutztruppe]]. Early in the 20th century its sole purpose was that of a junction station where the lines from [[Keetmanshoop]] diverted to [[Lüderitz]] and [[Karasburg]]. The line Keetmanshoop-Lüderitz was built from 1905 to 1908, the line Keetmanshoop-Karasburg in 1909.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Development of the Namibian Railway Network | last=Dierks | first=Klaus | authorlink=Klaus Dierks | url = http://www.klausdierks.com/Namibia_Rail/2.htm | publisher = www.klausdierks.com | accessdate = 19 August 2018}}</ref> The [[World War I|First World War]] was the reason to build these railway links through inhospitable land. Soon however, transport demand peaked due to the [[diamond rush]] that developed after a railway worker picked up a diamond near [[Grasplatz]] station, 24 kilometers east of Lüderitz. People travelling from the inland to Lüderitz had to stay overnight at Seeheim junction. This was the reason for the erection of two hotels, one of which has become operational again after standing empty for 30 years.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.seeheim.co.za/
| title = Website of Seeheim Hotel
| publisher = Zirkie Kloppers
| accessdate = 2008-12-30
}}</ref>
In the 1950s, Seeheim was a settlement of considerable size. Afterwards, the town gradually fell into decline.  The school closed down and the residents began to leave.
== Transport ==
In 1974 the main road [[B2 road (Namibia)|B2]] was re-directed, leaving Seeheim in the middle of nowhere with only a small gravel access road, and the railway access.
{{main|Seeheim railway station}}
Seeheim station today is part of the [[TransNamib|Namibian Railways]]. The passenger line to Lüderitz has been defunct for many years because the rails have been exposed to the harsh desert environment and erosion - being continuously covered by sand between [[Aus, Namibia|Aus]] and [[Lüderitz]]. The maintenance and repair of the railway line remains an ongoing struggle for the Namibian Government.
== Economic activities ==
Apart from Seeheim Hotel, a nostalgic stopover for tourists on their way to [[Fish River Canyon]], there is a furniture maker.
== See also ==
* [[Railway stations in Namibia]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{coord|26|49|14|S|17|48|7|E |region:NA_type:city |display=title}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Populated places in the ǁKaras Region]]
[[Category:1896 establishments in German South West Africa]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1896]]