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Mwatate

Coordinates: 03°30′17″S 38°22′40″E / 3.50472°S 38.37778°E / -3.50472; 38.37778
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Mwatate
Mwatate is located in Kenya
Mwatate
Mwatate
Location of Mwatate
Coordinates: 03°30′17″S 38°22′40″E / 3.50472°S 38.37778°E / -3.50472; 38.37778
CountryKenya
CountyTaita-Taveta County
Elevation
844 m (2,769 ft)
Population
 (2015 Estimate)
 • Urban
5,551
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)

Mwatate is a town in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya. It is the county capital, although it is the fourth-largest town in the county. Other urban centers in Taita-Taveta County include Voi, Wundanyi and Taveta.[1]

Location

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Men working at gemstone mining site in Mwatate

Mwatate lies about 26 kilometres (16 mi) south-west of Voi, the largest town in the county.[2] This is approximately 181 kilometres (112 mi) north-west of the port city of Mombasa, the nearest large city.[3] Mwatate is located about 354 kilometres (220 mi) south-east of Nairobi, the capital and largest city in Kenya.[4] The coordinates of Mwatate are: 03°30'17.0"S, 38°22'40.0"E (Latitude:-3.504720; Longitude:38.377782).[5]

Overview

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Mwatate held the headquarters of the whole district during the British colonial rule from 1900 to 1912, when the headquarters moved to Voi.[6] Teita Sisal Estate, one of the largest sisal estates in the world, is also located near the town of Mwatate.[7] The town lies at an average elevation of 844 metres (2,769 ft), above sea level.[8]

Population

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In 2011, the population of Taita-Taveta County was quoted at 284,657.[9] As of May 2015, the population of Mwatate town was estimated at 1.95 percent of the county population,[10] about 5,551 people. The population of the town has increased in recent years partly because of people migrating to town to establish businesses and others are attracted by the lucrative business of buying and selling the precious stone called Tsavorite, that is found around the area.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Taita-Taveta County (14 September 2016). "Taita-Taveta County Profile". Mwatate: Taita-Taveta County Government. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  2. ^ Globefeed.com (14 September 2016). "Distance between Voi, Taita-Taveta County, Kenya and Mwatate, Taita-Taveta County, Kenya". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  3. ^ Globefeed.com (14 September 2016). "Distance between Mombasa, Mombasa County, Kenya and Mwatate, Taita-Taveta County, Kenya". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  4. ^ Globefeed.com (14 September 2016). "Distance between Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya and Mwatate, Taita-Taveta County, Kenya". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  5. ^ "Location of Mwatate, Taita-Taveta County, Kenya" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  6. ^ Bravman B.: Making ethnic ways: communities and their transformation in Taita, Kenya 1800-1950 (1998)
  7. ^ Madime, Raphael (6 October 2015). "Teita Sisal Estate to be resurveyed soon - MP". The Star (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  8. ^ TipTopGlobe.com (14 September 2016). "Mwatate City Map, Population & Location". TipTopGlobe.com. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  9. ^ Daily Nation (18 May 2011). "Taita Taveta at a glance". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  10. ^ HRI (31 May 2015). "Taita-Taveta County: Secondary Data Review". HumanitarianResponse.Info (HRI). Retrieved 14 September 2016.[dead link]
  11. ^ Kennedy, Maev (13 August 2009). "Gem expert Campbell Bridges killed in mob attack in Kenya". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
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