- Mzuzu
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Mzuzu Mzuzu
Location in Malawi
MzuzuCoordinates: 11°27′29″S 34°00′54″E / 11.45807°S 34.015131°ECoordinates: 11°27′29″S 34°00′54″E / 11.45807°S 34.015131°E Country 
MalawiRegion Northern Region District Population (2008) - Total 175,345 Time zone +2 Mzuzu (formerly called Kaningina) is the capital of Malawi's Northern Region and is the third largest city, by population, in Malawi. The City has 128,432 residents plus 20,000 commuters (Mzuzu University students) with about 1.7 million people living around the outskirts of the city.[1] It is situated in Mzimba District, in the center of an agricultural region, and the area surrounding the city specializes in tea, rubber, and coffee cultivation.[2] The Viphya Forest to the south of the city is the largest man-made forest in Africa.[3]
Contents
Demographics
Year Population[4] 1987 44,217 1998 87,030 2008 175,345 History
The City was originally developed around the Commonwealth Development Corporation's Tung Oil Estate in 1947 and received city status in 1985.[1]
Culture
The culture of the city reflect the northern Tumbuka culture. Tumbuka is widely spoken in Mzuzu. Popular foods include botolo fish.
Health
It is home to Mzuzu Central Hospital, one of four such hospitals in the country. The pharmacuetical manfacturing company Kentam Products Limited is based in Mzuzu.
Economy and Infrastructure
The commercial hub of the region has coffee, timber, fruit, milk and honey production.[1] Manufacturing includes medication, cosmetics and timber. Through Mzuzu University, the City with its 128,432 residents plus 20,000 commuters has a highly skilled labour force.[1] and along with its arable land, sufficient potable water and electricity. There is good capital mobility through new banking facilities.[1] There are also small to medium sized businesses located there that provide telecommunication services, internet cafes, and multipurpose stores. National chains like Chipuku, Peoples Trading, and A.C opticals can be found. The city is the home base of national companies Mzuzu Coffee, Kentam Products Limited, and NorthernLife magazine. Mzuzu has two major markets, including Taifa Market that sells fruits, clothes, cellphones, shoes etc.. Mzuzu is a growing city in Malawi.
Education
The city is home to Mzuzu University, founded in 1994. Through Mzuzu University, has a highly skilled labour force. Mzuzu Technical College which was founded in 1958 is located in Mzuzu.[5] It is home to leading high schools in the north Maymount Secondary School and Mzuzu Academy.
Environment
Mzuzu is a city situated in wooded, hilly terrain. The Viphya Forest to the south of the city is the largest man-made forest in Africa. The weather in Mzuzu is chilly in the cold season.
Agriculture
In the center of an agricultural region, and the area surrounding the city specializes in tea, rubber, and coffee cultivation.
Tourism
Nearby tourist attractions include the sandy beaches of Lake Malawi and water activities. Nyika National Park, Malawi's largest park, is great for trekking, mountain biking, horse riding safaris and 4x4 excursions.[1] The entertainment venues at Mzuzu hotel and the Key Lounge attract national and international artists and host other activities that are popular for tourists and the local community.
Transport
By air Mzuzu city is served by the Mzuzu Airport.[1] It also has well built roads that are not keeping pace with the development of the growing city.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g http://www.commonwealth-of-nations.org/Malawi/Municipal/Mzuzu_City_Assembly/welcome
- ^ "Malawi". www.africaguide.com. http://www.africaguide.com/country/malawi/regions.htm#northern. Retrieved 2006-11-18.
- ^ "Malawi: Fragile Forests". Travel Africa Magazine (17). August 2001. http://www.travelafricamag.com/content/view/149/56/.
- ^ World Gazetteer: Malawi: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population
- ^ http://mzuzutech.50webs.com/
Categories:- Populated places in Malawi
- Northern Region, Malawi
- Mzuzu
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