Sumbawanga

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Sumbawanga
City of Rukwa Region
Sumbawanga Memorial.jpg
The Sumbawanga Memorial.
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Sumbawanga
Location of Sumbawanga.
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Sumbawanga
Sumbawanga (Africa)
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Sumbawanga
Sumbawanga (Tanzania)
Coordinates: 7°58′S31°37′E / 7.967°S 31.617°E / -7.967; 31.617
CountryTanzania
Region Rukwa Region
District Sumbawanga Urban
Population
 (2022 census)
 •  Urban
[1]
303,986
Website Regional website

Sumbawanga is a city located in western Tanzania. It is the capital of Rukwa Region and the municipal seat of Sumbawanga Urban District with postcode number 55100 . The district had a population of approximately 303,986 based on the 2022 census. [2] Sumbawanga lies in the territory of the Wafipa Fipa tribe and so many people speak Kifipa, as well as Kiswahili, the most widely used language of Tanzania. The name of the town literally translates as "throw away your witchcraft", thought to be a warning from local spiritual "healers" to any bringing in superstitions and practices relating to spiritual healers from other areas. Until the 1980s approximately, Sumbawanga was a place where many witch doctors were located. Though fewer in numbers, there are still some healers who practice both in town and in the surrounding smaller villages on the plateau. The town has the largest hospital in the region, Rukwa General Hospital, which is government funded, as well as the smaller Dr. Atiman Hospital administrated and run by the Catholic Diocese of Sumbawanga.

Contents

The town acts as a supply and commercial center for the Rukwa Region and some governmental agencies are to be found there, notably the transport department for the region. Sumbawanga has both Libori and Moravian conference centres. A modest-size market is in the town centre where local produce may be found. This includes maize, rice, fruit, poultry and fish (from Lake Tanganyika and Lake Rukwa). Many imported plastic goods and electronics are available as well as bicycles and spares. Although there are several fuel outlets, supply can be quite erratic because of the difficulties of transport from the coast.

The local economy is largely dependent on agriculture and small locally owned businesses. There is very limited industry or production in the town. Significant improvement has been made on the road to Mbeya as it is sealed to enable reliable all-weather access year round. This road, and its continuation north to Mpanda and Tabora or Kigoma, is now passable throughout the year. The Tanzanian government has had contracts in place for upgrading large sections of these roads. The town can be reached by flights operated by Auric Air [3] or by bus from Mbeya which lies to the south with train links to the town of Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia, to Dar es Salaam. Rail is also available through Tabora from Mpanda in the north. Mpanda also has an airport with a 2 km sealed runway.

Education

Sumbawanga has many schools and colleges, including:

  1. Chem Chem Secondary School
  2. Sumbawanga Secondary School
  3. St. Aggrey Chanji High School
  4. Mazwi Secondary School
  5. St. Aggrey Teaching College
  6. Musoma Utalii College
  7. Chem Chem Teaching College
  8. Kanda Secondary School
  9. Mafulala Secondary School
  10. Msakila Secondary School
  11. St.Mary's Colledge

Climate

Climate data for Sumbawanga (1991-2020, extremes 1989-present)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)30.0
(86.0)		34.4
(93.9)		29.0
(84.2)		30.0
(86.0)		32.0
(89.6)		29.0
(84.2)		29.7
(85.5)		31.7
(89.1)		30.1
(86.2)		33.0
(91.4)		32.0
(89.6)		32.0
(89.6)		34.4
(93.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)23.3
(73.9)		23.8
(74.8)		24.0
(75.2)		23.8
(74.8)		24.2
(75.6)		24.1
(75.4)		23.9
(75.0)		24.9
(76.8)		26.1
(79.0)		26.5
(79.7)		25.3
(77.5)		23.8
(74.8)		24.5
(76.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)14.4
(57.9)		14.2
(57.6)		14.2
(57.6)		14.0
(57.2)		12.0
(53.6)		9.3
(48.7)		8.6
(47.5)		10.0
(50.0)		12.5
(54.5)		14.5
(58.1)		14.9
(58.8)		14.6
(58.3)		12.8
(55.0)
Record low °C (°F)9.9
(49.8)		9.1
(48.4)		10.3
(50.5)		8.4
(47.1)		6.4
(43.5)		4.7
(40.5)		3.2
(37.8)		1.6
(34.9)		6.5
(43.7)		9.0
(48.2)		5.9
(42.6)		8.4
(47.1)		1.6
(34.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)178.2
(7.02)		134.1
(5.28)		142.6
(5.61)		85.1
(3.35)		17.5
(0.69)		2.0
(0.08)		0.7
(0.03)		1.6
(0.06)		3.1
(0.12)		9.6
(0.38)		81.4
(3.20)		197.2
(7.76)		853.1
(33.59)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm)17.513.814.48.52.20.30.10.30.41.77.217.383.7
Source: NOAA [4] [5]

Twin Town/Sister City

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References

  1. ↑ Citypopulation.de Population of cities & urban localities in Tanzania
  2. ↑ Citypopulation.de Population of Sumbawanga municipality
  3. ↑ "Auric Air". Auric Air Services Ltd. March 30, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Sumbawanga Climate Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Global Surface Summary of the Day - GSOD". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved January 8, 2024.

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