Lindi

Last updated
Lindi Town
Port city of Lindi Region
Lindi Main Street beach.jpg
Lindi Town bay side
Nickname: 
Tanzania's coconut capital
Tanzania relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Lindi Town
Location In Tanzania#
Coordinates: 9°59′49″S39°42′52″E / 9.99694°S 39.71444°E / -9.99694; 39.71444
CountryFlag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania
Region Lindi Region
Population
 (2022 census) [1]
 • Total95,096
Time zone UTC+3 (EAT)
Area code 023
Website Country website
A scene on Lindi's main street with shops and a students' hostel. Scene in Lindi, Tanzania.JPG
A scene on Lindi's main street with shops and a students' hostel.

Lindi is a historic coastal town in southern Tanzania and the administrative center of the Lindi Region, the least populated region in the country. Situated at the head of Lindi Bay along the Indian Ocean, the town is located approximately 105 kilometers (65 miles) north of Mtwara, the southernmost coastal town in Tanzania, and about 450 kilometers (280 miles) south of Dar es Salaam, the nation's largest city.

Contents

The town of Lindi is part of the larger municipality bearing the same name. Notably, Lindi Historic Town is recognized as a national historic site in Tanzania. Additionally, Lindi Airport, located 20 kilometers (12 miles) northeast of the town, providing air connectivity to the region.

History

Lindi was founded in the 11th century. There is no record of a previous name of the Swahili town. In the 17th century, the town was renamed by the Omani Arab colonizers as Lindi meaning "deep channel". [2] The Omanis dominated local people and used the location as a port to sell and transport ivory and slaves to the global market.

With the coming of the German occupation in the 19th century, and later on the British occupation after World War I, the town was the administrative capital of the southern province until 1952 when it was moved to Mtwara City due to its favorable harbor potential in Lindi Bay. In 1971, ten years after independence, the Nyerere administration made Lindi the regional seat for Lindi Region. However, in the following year of 1972, due to a socialist policy, urban councils were abolished in favor of rural development, negatively affecting the economy of the town. However, in 1978, urban councils were reintroduced. [3]

Economy

The main economic activities are fishing, salt production, and the farming of coconut, cashew nuts, and roselles. [3] The 2012 national census [4] reported the town to have a population of 78,841.


Geography

Lindi is located at the mouth of the Lukuledi River. Located on Lindi Bay. Its port facilities are still rudimentary, allowing one or two small cargo and passenger boats at a time, and ocean-going ships cannot be accommodated. [5] The region was once an important area for sisal-producing plantations, especially in Kikwetu, the Lindi airstrip, which lies 25 kilometers north of the town. Around 2012, Lindi was finally linked to Dar es Salaam by a continuous tarmac road, making Lindi accessible throughout the rainy season. An older tarmac road connects Lindi to Mtwara City, passing through Mikindani, an important historic Swahili settlement in Mtwara Region. The Rondo Forest Reserve is an important site of biodiversity which is located at the Rondo Plateau in the southern Lindi Region. [6] Part of a Coastal Forest mosaic, the Rondo Plateau rises sharply from sea level to about 885 metres or 2,900 feet and therefore features a unique microclimate. [7]

Bird's eye View of Lindi Town Birds Eye View of Lindi Town.jpg
Bird's eye View of Lindi Town
Lindi Town Street Scene Lindi Street.jpg
Lindi Town Street Scene

See also

List of Swahili settlements of the East African coast

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanga, Tanzania</span> Capital of Tanga Region, Tanzania

Tanga is a historic city and the capital of Tanga Region. The city is the most northernly port city of Tanzania to the west of the Indian Ocean on Tanga Bay. The city has a population of 393,429 in 2022. Tanga is governed by the Tanga City Council. The city is also home to the Port of Tanga. The name Tanga means "sail" in Swahili. The city is also the capital of Tanga District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mtwara Region</span> Region of Tanzania

Mtwara Region is one of Tanzania's 31 administrative regions. The regional capital is the municipality of Mtwara. Mtwara Region is home to one of the most infuluencial people in Tanzania, the Makonde. Mtwara is home to Tanzania's 4th president Benjamin Mkapa and is home to a number of influential artists. The boundary with Mozambique to the south is formed by the Ruvuma River. To the west, Mtwara is bordered by Ruvuma Region, to the north by Lindi Region, and to the east is the Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tabora</span> City of Tabora Region in Tanzania

Tabora is the capital of Tanzania's Tabora Region and is classified as a municipality by the Tanzanian government. It is also the administrative seat of Tabora Urban District. According to the 2012 census, the district had a population of 226,999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilwa District, Lindi</span> District of Lindi Region, Tanzania

Kilwa District is one of six administrative districts of Lindi Region in Tanzania. The District covers an area of 15,000 km2 (5,800 sq mi). The district is comparable in size to the land area of the nation state of East Timor. Kilwa district is bordered to the north by Rufiji District in Pwani Region, to the east by the Indian Ocean, to the south by the Lindi District, Nachingwea District together with Ruangwa District, and to the west by the Liwale District. The district borders every other district in Lindi Region except Lindi Municipal District. The district seat (capital) is the town of Kilwa Masoko. The district is named after the medieval Swahili city state of Kilwa Kisiwani. According to the 2012 census, the district has a total population of 190,744. By 2022, the population had increased to 297,676.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lindi Region</span> Region of Tanzania

Lindi Region is one of Tanzania's 31 administrative regions. The region covers an area of 66,040 km2 (25,500 sq mi). The region is comparable in size to the combined land area of the nation state of Sri Lanka. The regional capital is the municipality of Lindi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mtwara</span> City of Mtwara Region in Tanzania

Mtwara is the capital city of Mtwara Region in southeastern Tanzania. In the 1940s, it was planned and constructed as the export facility for the disastrous Tanganyika groundnut scheme, but was somewhat neglected when the scheme was abandoned in 1951. The city is spread out over a large area planned to accommodate up to 200,000 people. The present population is around 141,000. As part of the development associated with the failed Tanganyika groundnut scheme, Mtwara features a deep-water port that can accommodate ocean-going vessels, and a range of large municipal buildings, including a post office. Recent improvements in the port made it possible for big container ships to berth there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruangwa District, Lindi</span> District of Lindi Region, Tanzania

Ruangwa is one of six districts of the Lindi Region of Tanzania. It is bordered to the north by the Kilwa District, to the south by the Mtwara Region and to the west by the Nachingwea District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masasi District, Mtwara</span> District in Mtwara Region, Tanzania

Masasi is one of the six districts of the Mtwara Region of Tanzania. It is bordered to the north by the Lindi Region, to the east by the Newala District, to the south by the Ruvuma River and Mozambique and to the west by Nanyumbu District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newala District, Mtwara</span> District in Mtwara Region, Tanzania

Newala is a district of the Mtwara Region of Tanzania. It is bordered to the west by Masasi District, to the east by Tandahimba District, to the south by Newala Town, and to the north by Tandahimba and Masasi Districts. The district includes the Miyuyu Forest Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mtwara District, Mtwara</span> District in Mtwara Region, Tanzania

Mtwara District is one of the five districts of the Mtwara Region of Tanzania. It is bordered to the south by Mozambique, to the west by the Tandahimba District, to the north by the Lindi Region and to the east by Mtwara-Mikindani District and the Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilwa Masoko, Lindi</span> Ward in Kilwa District, Lindi Region

Kilwa Masoko or Masoko is an administrative ward in Kilwa District of Lindi Region in Tanzania. The ward covers an area of 200 km2 (77 sq mi), and has an average elevation of 11 m (36 ft). The ward is also the capital of Kilwa District. According to the 2012 census, the ward has a total population of 13,601.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikindani</span> National Historic Site of Tanzania

Mikindani is a historic coastal town located in Mtwara-Mikindani District of Mtwara Region in Tanzania. The name comes from the Swahili word mikinda which means "young coconut trees". Therefore, the term "Mikindani', literally means "the place where there are young coconut trees" in old Swahili language. Mikindani is part of the city of Mtwara and is governed by the Mtwara Mikindani Municipal Council. The site is a registered National Historic Site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of Tanzania</span> Overview of and topical guide to Tanzania

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Tanzania:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanzania Ports Authority</span> Public corporation in Tanzania

Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) is a parastatal public corporation acting under the aegis of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, that has the responsibility "to manage and operate" the ocean ports and lake ports of the country of Tanzania. The Tanzania Ports Authority headquarters are located in Mchafukoge ward of Ilala District in Dar es Salaam Region. It is a member of the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rondo Plateau</span> Plateau in Lindi and Mtwara Regions, Tanzania

The Rondo Plateau, also known as the Muera Plateau, is a high and extensive massif in the Lindi Region and northern Mtwara Region of southeastern of Tanzania. A portion of the plateau is protected by the Rondo Forest Reserve. It is one of a group of dissected plateaus lying between the Mbwemburu and Lukuledi rivers. It is approximately 60 km inland from Lindi, and is situated 15 km north of the Masasi road. It was revealed as an important biodiversity site in studies conducted since the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Historic Sites of Tanzania</span> List of National Heritage Sites of Tanzania

National Historic Sites of Tanzania is an official list of places in Tanzania that have been designated as National Historic Sites as per the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism of Tanzania under the Antiquities Division. The list is not complete and is currently being updated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mtwara-Mikindani District, Mtwara</span> District of Mtwara Region, Tanzania

Mtwara Mikindani Municipal District Council is one of eight regional councils of the Mtwara Region in Tanzania. It is bordered to the north by the Lindi Region, to the east by the Indian Ocean and to the south and west by the Mtwara District. In 2016, the municipality has a total population of 113,732.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanyamba Town Council, Mtwara</span> District in Mtwara Region of Tanzania

Nanyamba Town, is a district established in 2016 of the Mtwara Region in the southern coastal Tanzania. Nanyamba is in the eastern portion of the Mtwara Region, near the coast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newala Town Council, Mtwara</span> District in Mtwara, Tanzania

Newala Town, is a district level town council in the Mtwara Region in the southern coastal Tanzania. The town is in the south central portion of the Mtwara Region, on the northern bank of the Ruvuma River that is the border between Tanzania and Mozambique. The district was established on the 25th of September, 2015.

The Vikindu Forest Reserve is a protected area located in Mkuranga District of Pwani Region in Tanzania that covers an area of 17.1 km2 (6.6 sq mi). Vikindu Forest Reserve is situated on a plain between 40 and 80 meters above sea level, about 15 kilometers inland from the Indian Ocean and about 17 kilometers south of Dar es Salaam on the main road to Kilwa. The main tarmac Dar es Salaam to Kilwa Road, which is part of the eastern edge of the forests reserve, provides access in all weather conditions. To the immediate south of the forest reserve is the village of Vikindu.

References

  1. ↑ Population.de Population of cities & urban localities in Tanzania
  2. ↑ "Lindi Town - Daily News". 2024-07-02. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  3. 1 2 https://www.lands.go.tz/uploads/documents/en/1567769286-LINDI%20MASTER%20PLAN.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  4. ↑ "2012 population and housing census" (PDF). March 2013. p. 85. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-12.
  5. ↑ "Lindi port information". Archived from the original on 2006-10-30. Retrieved 2006-11-24.
  6. ↑ "Rondo". www.nature-reserves.go.tz. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  7. ↑ "Rondo — Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS)". www.tfs.go.tz. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.