Sumbawanga
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Sumbawanga is a city located in western Tanzania. It is the capital of Rukwa Region. The regional population is approximately 150,000 based on a 2002 census. Many people living in Sumbawanga are Fipa, called so for the native language also spoken there. The name of the town literally translates as 'the meeting place of witches' which may stem from local superstitions and practices relating to spiritual healers, of which there are still some who practice in the surrounding smaller villages on the plateau. The town serves as the location for the largest hospital in the region, Rukwa General Hospital (government funded) and the smaller Dr Atiman hospital administrated and run by the Catholic Diocese of Sumbawanga.
The town acts as a supply and commerce center for the Rukwa province and some government agencies are to be found here, notably the transport department for the region plus the Libori and Morovian conference centres. A modest sized market is situated in the town centre where local produce may be found. This includes maize, fruit, poultry and fish. Many imported plastic goods and electronics are available as well as bicycles and spares.
The local economy is largely dependent on agriculture and small locally owned businesses, currently there is very limited industry or production in the town. Vast improvement could be expected if the road link to Mbeya was improved enabling four-seasonal capacity of this highway and thus greater reliability of transport links which are currently heavily impaired during the long rains season.
The town can be reached by bus from Mbeya which lies to the south with train links to Lusaka and Dar es Salaam, or from Mpanda in the north.
The town was included on the route taken by Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman on their 15,000 mile North to South Long Way Down motorcycle adventure in July of 2007.
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