Rukwa Region – History, Districts, Economy and More

With a postcode of 55000, the Rukwa Region is one of the thirty-one administrative regions in Tanzania. The Sumbawanga municipality serves as the regional capital. The area had an approximate population of 1,004,539 people as per the 2012 national census. The 3.2 percent mean yearly population growth rate of the region was joint 3rd highest in the nation between 2002 and 2012. With forty-four persons per sq kilometer, it was likewise the 20^th most densely inhabited region.

The Katavi Area borders the Rukwa region to the north, the Mbeya Region to the east, Zambia to the south, and Lake Tanganyika to the west, which serves as a boundary between Tanzania and the DRC.

History of Rukwa Region

The region derives its name from Lake Rukwa, which is home to the country’s biggest crocodile population. It is the Fipa people’s homeland, where they survive off subsistence agriculture and cattle keeping.

President Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere created the Rukwa Region in 1975 by combining the Mpanda District of Tabora and Sumbawanga District of the Mbeya Region, which was previously united. The Nkasi District was founded in 1984. The area was restructured in 2012, with the Mpanda District being transferred to the new Katavi area.

Rukwa Region Districts

Sumbawanga Municipal Council (MC), Kalambo District Council, Sumbwanga District Council, and Nkasi District Council are the four administrative bodies in the region. Moreover, Rukwa is divided into two townships (Namanyere and Laela located in the Nkasi and Sumbawanga districts respectively). Rukwa is divided into sixteen divisions, ninety-seven wards, three hundred and thirty-nine villages, 1817 hamlets, and a hundred and sixty-five streets.

Districts found in the Rukwa area

Economy of Rukwa Region

Agriculture in Rukwa Region

Rukwa continues to be one of Tanzania’s largest food crops producers. Its fertile terrain is ideal for corn (maize), paddy, beans, wheat, and banana farming.

Mining in Rukwa Region

While the Rukwa Region has vast mineral potential, there are no operating major mines. Topaz, rubies, amethysts, aquamarines, moonstones, and Emeralds are some of the gemstones that have been discovered in various locales. The Namwele, Muze, and Mkomolo regions have coal seams, with some mining already done in these regions.

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