Mwanza
| Mwanza, Tanzania Nyanza | |
|---|---|
| City | |
|
View from Capri Point | |
| Nickname(s): Rock City | |
  Mwanza, Tanzania Location in Tanzania | |
| Coordinates: 2°31′S 32°54′E / 2.517°S 32.900°E | |
| Country |
 Tanzania |
| Admin. division | Mwanza Region |
| First Settled | 1892 |
| Incorporated Town | 1978 |
| Incorporated City | 2000 |
| Districts | |
| Government | |
| • Type | City Council |
| • Lord Mayor | Josephat Kanyonyi Manyerere |
| • City Director | Wilson Kabwe |
| Elevation | 3,740 ft (1,140 m) |
| Population (2012)[1] | |
| • Urban | 706,543 |
| Time zone | GMT + 3 |
| Climate | Aw |
Mwanza is a mid-sized port city on the southern shores of Lake Victoria in northwestern Tanzania. With a population of over 800,000, it is Tanzania's second largest city, following Dar es Salaam, and also one of the fastest growing in the world. Mwanza is the capital of the surrounding Mwanza Region and a strategic gateway to Lake Victoria and other nations surrounding Lake Victoria (Uganda, Kenya).
Ethnicity
The Sukuma constitute over 90 percent of the population of the Mwanza Region. Other ethnic groups in the region, in much smaller proportions, include the Zinza, Haya, Sumbwa, Nyamwezi, Luo, Kurya, Jita,((shashi)) and Kerewe. They live mainly in the Mwanza city area. National policy, however, gives very little importance to ethnic groupings and reliable data is difficult to find.[2]
Economy
In 2011 the City Council announced plans to create a major commercial development in the Ilemela District.[3] Construction works on Rock City Mall were finalized in early 2016. This mall is the first of its size in Mwanza and one of the biggest malls in the country.[4]
Fishing
One major occupation of the inhabitants along the shores of Lake Victoria in Mwanza region is fishing, and there are five fish processing plants in the area. Nile perch were previously introduced to the lake, and are exported in large quantities.[5]
The consequences of the nile perch industry are the subject of the Academy Award nominated documentary Darwin's Nightmare (2004) by Hubert Sauper.
On the lake around Mwanza, a lot of sardine fishing (locally known as 'dagaa') takes place.
Mining
Mwanza, being the capital of Mwanza Region is also a focus of business and support services to the mining industry, particularly being adjacent to Geita Region, which includes Geita Gold Mine. Mining has been important to the wider region and therefore city since German Colonial times.
Tourism
National Parks
Several Tanzanian National Parks are located in the close vicinity of Mwanza town.
Saanane Island National Park can be reached by boat from the centre of Mwanza in around 10 minutes.
The westernmost gate (Ndabaka Gate) of Serengeti National Park is located at around 150 kilometres by road from Mwanza town. Day trips to Serengeti National Park are organised by several tour operators in Mwanza.[6]
Rubondo Island National Park can be reached by road and boat, or by a direct flight from Mwanza. It is located around 110 kilometres west of Mwanza town.[7]
Culture
The Sukuma Museum is located in Bujora, just east of Mwanza near Kisesa. It gives an overview of the history, architecture, culture and language of the Sukuma tribe, which are the tribe that the majority of the native population originate from. [8]
Climate
| Climate data for Mwanza | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 35.0 (95) |
35.0 (95) |
36.6 (97.9) |
34.0 (93.2) |
35.6 (96.1) |
35.0 (95) |
34.0 (93.2) |
34.2 (93.6) |
34.5 (94.1) |
36.0 (96.8) |
35.6 (96.1) |
34.2 (93.6) |
36.6 (97.9) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 27.6 (81.7) |
27.9 (82.2) |
28.5 (83.3) |
27.8 (82) |
28.1 (82.6) |
28.4 (83.1) |
28.3 (82.9) |
28.7 (83.7) |
29.0 (84.2) |
28.5 (83.3) |
27.5 (81.5) |
27.3 (81.1) |
28.1 (82.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 23.5 (74.3) |
23.2 (73.8) |
23.5 (74.3) |
23.3 (73.9) |
23.4 (74.1) |
22.9 (73.2) |
22.4 (72.3) |
23.2 (73.8) |
23.8 (74.8) |
24.3 (75.7) |
23.9 (75) |
23.3 (73.9) |
23.4 (74.1) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 17.7 (63.9) |
17.8 (64) |
18.0 (64.4) |
18.2 (64.8) |
17.7 (63.9) |
16.2 (61.2) |
15.4 (59.7) |
16.4 (61.5) |
17.3 (63.1) |
18.1 (64.6) |
18.1 (64.6) |
17.9 (64.2) |
17.4 (63.3) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 10.8 (51.4) |
11.0 (51.8) |
14.0 (57.2) |
14.0 (57.2) |
13.0 (55.4) |
12.0 (53.6) |
11.0 (51.8) |
11.0 (51.8) |
13.0 (55.4) |
13.0 (55.4) |
10.8 (51.4) |
12.0 (53.6) |
10.8 (51.4) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 103.69 (4.0823) |
108.04 (4.2535) |
139.82 (5.5047) |
168.19 (6.6217) |
72.86 (2.8685) |
21.12 (0.8315) |
11.88 (0.4677) |
20.55 (0.8091) |
22.87 (0.9004) |
85.64 (3.3717) |
157.15 (6.187) |
138.92 (5.4693) |
1,050.73 (41.3673) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 10 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 92 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 71 | 71 | 69 | 74 | 70 | 66 | 58 | 58 | 59 | 61 | 71 | 73 | 67 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 229.4 | 211.9 | 235.6 | 231.0 | 254.2 | 282.0 | 285.2 | 266.6 | 252.0 | 241.8 | 210.0 | 223.2 | 2,922.9 |
| Mean daily sunshine hours | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 9.4 | 9.2 | 8.6 | 8.4 | 7.8 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| Source #1: World Meteorological Organization[9] | |||||||||||||
| Source #2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (extremes, means, humidity, and sun)[10] | |||||||||||||
Transport
_in_Mwanza.JPG)
Airport
Mwanza is served by Mwanza Airport, which is located at 10 km to the north of the city centre in Ilemela District.
The airport has flights to Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, and other destinations around Tanzania.
Railway
Mwanza's narrow gauge railway station is located in the centre of town, in Nyamagana District.
In 2017, a new station on the standard gauge railway is proposed.
The city is connected by rail with Shinyanga.[11] Twice a week the train departs to Dar es Salaam, via Dodoma, Tabora and Kigoma.[12]
Buses
Two bus stations connect Mwanza to the rest of Tanzania and neighbouring countries by road: Nyegezi and Buzuruga bus station.
Nyegezi bus station is located in Nyamagana district. Buses going to the south and west leave from Nyegezi, as well as international services.[13]
Buzuruga bus station is located in Ilemela district. Buses going to the east, North and the Kenyan border depart from Buzuruga bus station.[13]
Ferry
In December 2014 the regular ferry service between Mwanza, Bukoba and Kampala was halted whilst the ferry boat (Mv Victoria) underwent major maintenance.[14]
Sports
Toto African and Mbao FC are the main football clubs in Mwanza. The teams participate in the 2016/2017 Tanzanian Premier League.[15] Home games are played at CCM Kirumba Stadium.
Education
St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) is the main university in Mwanza. The University extends over 600 acres (243 ha) in the Nyegezi-Malimbe area 10 km south of Mwanza City. It lies 4 km off the main Mwanza- Shinyanga road on the shores of Lake Victoria. The University is a half-hour’s drive from Mwanza by car or by bus.[16]
Cooperation with cities outside Tanzania
-
Tampere, Finland: The relationship between Tampere and Mwanza is part of the North-South Local Government Co-operation Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities and funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. The purpose is to support the Mwanza City Council in implementing the city strategy and in providing better services for its citizens.[17] -
Tifariti, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic[18] -
Würzburg, Germany[19]
Gallery
Bismarck Rock in Lake Victoria nearby Mwanza city
Jamatkhana Mosque
Nyakahoja Catholic Church
A street sight of Mwanza downtown.
Mwanza is a city among the rocks.
Mwanza city centre
Mwanza city map
References
- ↑ "Tanzania". Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
- ↑ Section 1.2, "Mwanza Region Socio-Economic Profile", joint publication by the Planning Commission Dar es Salaam and the Regional Commissioner's Office Mwanza, October 1997, page 4
- ↑ Moses Matthew (30 December 2011). "Mwanza city on a major shopping project". Daily News. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
- ↑ "Rock City Mall".
- ↑ George Ramadhani (2 November 2006). "MPs tell Mwanza fisheries to clear Darwin’s Nightmare". Kafoi. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
- ↑ "Serengeti". Serengeti - The National Park's Official Website. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
- ↑ "Rubondo". Tanzania Parks.
- ↑ Tanzania travel guide (6 ed.). Lonely Planet. June 2015. p. 229. ISBN 978-1742207797.
- ↑ "World Weather Information Service – Mwanza". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- ↑ "Klimatafel von Mwanza (Muansa) / Victoria-See / Tansania" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- ↑ "United Republic of Tanzania (map)" (PDF). Department of Peacekeeping Operations. UN. January 2006. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
- ↑ "Train travel in Tanzania and Zambia". Seat61.com. January 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- 1 2 Tanzania travel guide (6 ed.). Lonely Planet. June 2015. p. 228. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
- ↑ "Victoria ferry suspends work". East African Business Week. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ↑ "Top guns kick off new season on high tempo". The Citizen.
- ↑ "St. Augustine University of Tanzania".
- ↑ "Tampere-Mwanza Local Governance Cooperation project", The City of Tampere
- ↑ "Tifariti commune signs cooperation, twinning agreements with several African cities", Agence Maghreb Arabe Presse, published on the website of The Free Library, 21 December 2009
- ↑ "HIV: New Problems for Africa", University of Würzburg
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mwanza. |
-
Mwanza travel guide from Wikivoyage - The Community Development and Relief Agency
- Mwanza Women Development Association
Coordinates: 2°31′S 32°54′E / 2.517°S 32.900°E