Mtwara

Featured view

Mtwara

Total population

140,793

Coordinates-10.28°, 40.18°

Demographic figures from National Bureau of Statistics (Tanzania). Overview below cites Wikipedia and may reference a different year.

Overview

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.

Geography

Coordinates & boundaries from the US Census TIGER/Line shapefiles.