Lichinga
Encyclopedia
Lichinga is the capital city
of Niassa Province
of Mozambique
. It lies on the Lichinga Plateau at an altitude of 1360 metre, east of Lake Niassa (Lake Malawi). The town was founded as Vila Cabral as a farming and military settlement. It is served by Lichinga Airport
.
in 1931 as Vila Cabral, the town was designed to become a fast growth urban centre, its streets and avenues paying attention to a projected future growth. Vila Cabral was upgraded to city status in 1962. In the early 1960s its population was 27,000 inhabitants; by 1970 it had 36,715. The city developed as an agriculture and colonial service centre until the independence of Mozambique from Portugal in 1975. In addtition, the town's economy included forestry
-based activities and was surrounded by a pine tree plantation
, which still remains there.
(1975-1992) spread famine and disease in Mozambique resulting in many deaths and refugees in the region around Lichinga.
(Cwa/Cwb, according to the Köppen climate classification
), with cool weather in the dry season (May to September) and average temperatures of 15.5 oC in July. Summertime is October to April with the hottest weather in November: average temperature 22 oC. This is also the season of heavy rain especially December to March. The annual rainfall is 1,171 mm.
living in Mozambique. They largely occupy the eastern and northern part of the Niassa province
and form about 40% of the population of Lichinga.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
of Niassa Province
Niassa Province
Niassa is a province of Mozambique. It has an area of 129,056 km² and a population of 1.027.037 . It is the most sparsely populated province in the country. Lichinga is the capital of the province. There are a minimum estimated 450,000 Yao people living in Mozambique...
of Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
. It lies on the Lichinga Plateau at an altitude of 1360 metre, east of Lake Niassa (Lake Malawi). The town was founded as Vila Cabral as a farming and military settlement. It is served by Lichinga Airport
Lichinga Airport
Lichinga Airport is an airport in Lichinga, Mozambique that is serviced by Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique the national flag carrier .-Accidents and incidents:...
.
Portuguese rule
Founded by the PortuguesePortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
in 1931 as Vila Cabral, the town was designed to become a fast growth urban centre, its streets and avenues paying attention to a projected future growth. Vila Cabral was upgraded to city status in 1962. In the early 1960s its population was 27,000 inhabitants; by 1970 it had 36,715. The city developed as an agriculture and colonial service centre until the independence of Mozambique from Portugal in 1975. In addtition, the town's economy included forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
-based activities and was surrounded by a pine tree plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
, which still remains there.
After independence from Portugal
After independence the new government renamed the city Lichinga. The effects of 17 years of civil warMozambican Civil War
The Mozambican Civil War began in 1977, two years after the end of the war of independence. The ruling party, Front for Liberation of Mozambique , was violently opposed from 1977 by the Rhodesian- and South African-funded Mozambique Resistance Movement...
(1975-1992) spread famine and disease in Mozambique resulting in many deaths and refugees in the region around Lichinga.
Climate
Owing to its high altitude location the town experiences a moderate humid subtropical climateHumid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
(Cwa/Cwb, according to the Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
), with cool weather in the dry season (May to September) and average temperatures of 15.5 oC in July. Summertime is October to April with the hottest weather in November: average temperature 22 oC. This is also the season of heavy rain especially December to March. The annual rainfall is 1,171 mm.
Demographics
There are a minimum estimated 450,000 Yao peopleYao (ethnic group in Africa)
The Yao people, Wayao, are a major ethnic and linguistic group based at the southern end of Lake Malawi, which played an important part in the history of East Africa during the 19th century. The Yao are a predominantly Muslim people group of about 2 million spread over three countries, Malawi,...
living in Mozambique. They largely occupy the eastern and northern part of the Niassa province
Niassa Province
Niassa is a province of Mozambique. It has an area of 129,056 km² and a population of 1.027.037 . It is the most sparsely populated province in the country. Lichinga is the capital of the province. There are a minimum estimated 450,000 Yao people living in Mozambique...
and form about 40% of the population of Lichinga.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1970 | 36 715 |
| 1997 | 89 043 |
| 2007 | 142 253 |