Mbabane

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Mbabane
A street in downtown Mbabane
A street in downtown Mbabane
Mbabane is located in Swaziland
Mbabane
Mbabane
Location of Mbabane in Swaziland.
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Country  Swaziland
District Hhohho
Founded 1902
Area
 • Total 150 km2 (60 sq mi)
Elevation 1,243 m (4,078 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 94,874
 • Density 630/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Postal code H100
Website www.mbabane.org.sz

Mbabane (/(əm)bɑˈbɑn(i)/, Swazi: ÉMbábáne), with an estimated population of 94,874 (2010), is the capital and largest city in Swaziland. It is located on the Mbabane River and its tributary the Polinjane River in the Mdzimba Mountains. It is located in the district of Hhohho, of which it is also the capital. The average elevation of the city is 1243 meters. The population (estimated) in 1987 was 30,000.[1] It lies on the MR3 road.

History

The town grew after the nation's administrative centre moved from Bremersdorp (now called Manzini) in 1902. It derives its name from a Chief, Mbabane Kunene, who lived in the area when British settlers arrived.

Economy

Mbabane's closest border crossing to South Africa is Ngwenya-Oshoek, and though siSwati is the primary language, English is widespread. Mbabane, and Swaziland itself, depend on tourism and sugar exports. It is also a commercial hub for the surrounding region, while tin and iron were mined nearby. The city has two sites for light industries.

Education and culture

Mbabane is the home of the Waterford-Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa, as well as one of the three campuses of the University of Swaziland. Limkowking University of Creative Technology is a private international university that lies by the South African-Swaziland border with several university candidates from Swaziland. Indingilizi Gallery is an art gallery in Mbabane, established in 1982 and showcases a range of Swazi art, including sculptures, paintings, batiks, mohair, ethnic jewellery and pottery.[2]

Geography and climate

Mbabane is located in the district of Hhohho, of which it is also the capital, and lies on the Mbabane River and its tributary the Polinjane River in the Mdimba Mountains. The average elevation of the city is 1243 meters. Neighbourhoods and suburbs include Mbangweni, Sidwashini, Kent Rock, Sandla, Westridge Park, Malunge, New Checkers, Msunduza and Vukutentele.

Due to its altitude, Mbabane features a milder, more moderate form of a humid subtropical climate (Cwa). The city has a mild climate and snow is a rare event, which has occurred only 3 times since 1900.[citation needed] The city averages only four days of frost a year. The average annual temperature is 11 °C (52 °F) in July and 22 °C (72 °F) in January.[3]

View of Mbabane
Portable market hut in Mbabane, 1979

International relations

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See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Swaziland

Twin towns – Sister cities

Mbabane is twinned with:

References

  1. ↑ Whitaker's Almamack; 1988
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ The Cambridge Factfinder; 4th ed.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links

  • Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons

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