Mongu

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Location of Mongu in Zambia

Mongu is a town in western Zambia, and the capital of Western Province, Zambia and Barotseland. It lies a few kilometres from the Zambezi River, to which it is connected by canals.

Mongu is semi desert and hence sandy. It takes about 6 to 8 hrs to drive to Mongu from the capital Lusaka. It lies by the Barotse Plains, which in the wet season are flooded by the Zambezi right up to the town. It is also home to a cathedral and a water tower, while the Litunga (Lozi ruler)'s summer and winter palaces lie in separate locations nearby. The winter palace is home to a museum, while the Kuomboka ceremony marks the court's transfer between them. Mongu is home to the Lozi (or Barotse) people, who speak a dialect of the (South African) Sotho language.

Among the several shopping places and social places, the town has a large market and an airport. Mongu Airport is mainly used by the Zambian Airforce and the United Nations to transport Angolan Refugees back to Angola. Mongu is known for basket and carpet weaving. It produces the best mango and fish in the country, especially the tiger fish. Mongu is also the major rice growing region of Zambia.

http://www.barotseland.com/

Coordinates: 15°25′S, 23°17′E