Mangochi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mangochi | |
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  Mangochi
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| Coordinates: 14°27′36″S 35°16′12″E / 14.46°S 35.27°E | |
| Country |  Malawi |
| Region | Southern Region |
| District | Mangochi District |
| Elevation [1] | 1,541 ft (470 m) |
| Population (2008)[2] | |
| - Total | 51,429 |
| - Languages | Yao |
| Time zone | +2 |
Mangochi is a township in the Southern Region of Malawi. Located near the southern end of Lake Malawi, in colonial times it used to be called Fort Johnston. As of 2008 it has a population of 51,429.
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[edit] History
Mangochi was founded by colonial administrator Sir Harry Johnston in the 1890s as a British colonial defense post on the littoral plain of the Shire River's western shore.[3] After this, Fort Johnston – as the town was then known – was an important slave market and administrative center.[4]
The British gunboat Gwendolen was built in Mangochi in 1897.[4] At 340 short tons (310 t), it was the largest ship to sail on Lake Malawi until being scrapped shortly after World War II.[4] The gunboat, operated by the Protectorate of Nyasaland, scored an early success in World War I when it defeated the German vessel Hermann von Wissmann in August 1914.[5]
Rioting in June 2003 injured three people.[6] From March to November 2007, roughly 480 children were "rescued" from child labor on tobacco farms in Mangochi.[7] In July 2008, elephants terrorised areas around Maldeco Fisheries in Mangochi and caused several deaths and damage to property, mainly crops.[8] The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture proposed moving the elephants into several game reserves, although the proposal stalled when some residents said they wanted the elephants to remain.[8]
[edit] Geography
Mangochi is at an elevation of 1,541 feet (470 m),[1] near the southern end of Lake Malawi, between the main lakeshore road and the Shire River[4] and 5 miles (8 km) south of its entrance into Lake Malombe.[3] The town is roughly 120 miles (190 km) northeast of Blantyre, Malawi's largest city.[6] It is situated 1.4 miles (2.3 km) away from Mponda, 2.2 miles (3.5 km) away from Chipalamawamba, 2 miles (3.2 km) away from Mbaluku Laini and 1.4 miles (2.3 km) away from Yangala.[1]
[edit] Demographics
[edit] Population development
| Year | Population[2] |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 14,758 |
| 1998 | 27,055 |
| 2008 | 51,429 |
[edit] Languages and ethnicities
Yao, specifically of the Mangochi dialect, is the main language spoken in this town.[9] A Swahili settlement was also established in Mangochi.[10] Mangochi is mainly inhabited by the Yao people.[3]
[edit] Economy
Mangochi was developed as an agricultural center and has marine-engineering shops. Cash crops grown in the area include tobacco, cotton, and groundnuts.[3] Rice and maize are intensively grown along the lakeshore, and commercial fishing is also important.[3]
[edit] Facilities
[edit] Amenities
Amenities include several shops, supermarkets, a post office and banks.[4]
[edit] Bridges
Within Mangochi there is the Shire Bridge, which Lonely Planet described as "scenic".[4]
[edit] Museums
The Lake Malawi Museum houses ethnic, environmental, and historical exhibits.[4] Within the museum is a replica of the HMS Guendolin and a Hotchkiss gun taken from there.[4]
[edit] Religion
Mangochi is home to a large mosque[4] as well as a modern Catholic Cathedral.[11]
[edit] Clocks
Mangochi is home to a clock tower erected in honour of Queen Victoria, dating back to the early 20th century.[11]
[edit] Transport
The nearest airport is at Ulongwe, 54 miles (87 km) away.[1] Mangochi is located just off the M3 road.[11] All buses travelling from Monkey Bay to Blantyre stop in Mangochi.[4] Minibuses travel to Liwonde, Zomba, and Blantyre.[4] Matolas travel to Liwonde National Park and to the border town of Chiponde.[4]
[edit] Tourism
Mangochi is described by Lonely Planet as having a "vaguely Swahili feel", with "palm trees, Arab-looking people and coconuts for sale in the street."[4] There are several guesthouses and lodges for tourists in Mangochi.[4] Pranay B. Gupte suggested staying at the Nkopola Lodge, where one can swim, fish, and sail.[12]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Mangochi, Malawi". FallingRain Genomics. http://www.fallingrain.com/world/MI/0/Mangochi.html. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
- ^ a b "World Gazetteer: Malawi: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population". World Gazetteer. http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&dat=32&srt=pnan&col=dq&geo=-150. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
- ^ a b c d e "Mangochi". Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2008. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/362011/Mangochi. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Murphy, Alan; Armstrong, Kate; Firestone, Matthew D.; Fitzpatrick, Mary (2007). Lonely Planet Southern Africa: Join the Safari. Lonely Planet. p. 205. ISBN 1740597451.
- ^ [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=7964023 The Story of the Rhodesias and Nyasaland A. J. Hanna Faber and Faber, 1960
- ^ a b "Soldiers Sent To Help Quell Riots in Malawi". The New York Times. 2003-06-29. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E6DA173AF93AA15755C0A9659C8B63. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
- ^ "Attitudes to Child Labour Changing". UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (AllAfrica). 2006-11-19. http://allafrica.com/stories/200711191244.html. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
- ^ a b Msiska, Karen (2008-07-07). "Mangochi against removal of elephants". The Daily Times. http://allafrica.com/stories/200711191244.html. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- ^ Baldauf, Richard B.; Kaplan, Robert (2004). Language Planning and Policy in Africa: Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa. p. 85-89. ISBN 1853597252.
- ^ Baldauf, p. 91
- ^ a b c "Mangochi". Malawi Tourism. http://www.malawitourism.com/Pages/The%20Regions/South/mangochi.html. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- ^ Gupte, Pranay B. (2008-09-28). "Malawi Now Inviting Visitors to Its Feast of Beauty; Malawi Is Now Inviting Visitors to Share In Its Feast of Natural Beauty If You Go". The New York Times.
