The city of Chipata is the administrative centre of the Eastern Province of

Zambia Zambia (), officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central, Southern and East Africa, although it is typically referred to as being in Southern Africa at its most central point. Its neighbours are t ...

and Chipata District. It was declared the 5th city of the country, after Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe and Livingstone, by President Edgar Lungu on 24 February 2017. The

city A city is a human settlement of notable size.Goodall, B. (1987) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography''. London: Penguin.Kuper, A. and Kuper, J., eds (1996) ''The Social Science Encyclopedia''. 2nd edition. London: Routledge. It can be def ...

has undergone rapid economic and infrastructure growth in the years, leading up to city status.

Location

Chipata is located approximately , east of Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia. This is about west of Lilongwe, the capital city of

Malawi Malawi (; or aláwi Tumbuka: ''Malaŵi''), officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northe ...

. The

geographical coordinates The geographic coordinate system (GCS) is a spherical or ellipsoidal coordinate system for measuring and communicating positions directly on the Earth as latitude and longitude. It is the simplest, oldest and most widely used of the vario ...

of Chipata are 13°38'43.0"S, 32°38'47.0"E (Latitude:13°38'43.0"S;

Longitude Longitude (, ) is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east– west position of a point on the surface of the Earth, or another celestial body. It is an angular measurement, usually expressed in degrees and denoted by the Greek let ...

:32°38'47.0"E). The average

elevation The elevation of a geographic location is its height above or below a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface (see Geodetic datum § ...

of Chipata is , above sea level.

Overview

Having a modern market, a central hospital, shopping malls, a university, some colleges and a number of schools, Chipata is the business and administrative hub of the region. The town boasts a four star hotel, a

golf course A golf course is the grounds on which the sport of golf is played. It consists of a series of holes, each consisting of a tee box, a fairway, the rough and other hazards, and a green with a cylindrical hole in the ground, known as a "cup". ...

, an

airport An airport is an aerodrome with extended facilities, mostly for commercial air transport. Airports usually consists of a landing area, which comprises an aerially accessible open space including at least one operationally active surfa ...

, and a "welcome arch". Developed areas includes Kalongwezi, Moth, and Little Bombay. Chipata is the regional head of the Ngoni of Zambia. The Ngoni adopted the languages of the tribes they conquered, so Chewa and Nsenga are the principal languages, although Tumbuka and

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ...

are widely spoken, plus some Indian languages, as a large number of Zambian Indians live in the town. It is located near the border with

, and lies on the Great East Road which connects the capitals Lilongwe to the east, and Lusaka to the west. It is a popular access point for the

South Luangwa National Park South Luangwa National Park is in eastern Zambia, the southernmost of three national parks in the valley of the Luangwa River. It is a world-renowned wildlife haven which is known to locals simply as "the South Park."Concentrations of game along ...

History

Chipata's name comes from the Chewa word "Chimpata" meaning "large space", in reference to the town's situation in a shallow valley between hills. The name of the central neighbourhood of Kapata, the original centre of town, comes from the Chewa word meaning "small space." Chipata was formerly known as Fort Jameson (and informally as "Fort Jimmy"), being named after Sir Leander Starr Jameson, the 19th-century British politician and adventurer. Even during the colonial period, few supported that Jameson, who is mainly known for his part in the infamous Jameson Raid, fully deserved the honour of having any town named after him. Like 'Fort Manning' and ' Fort Rosebery', Fort Jameson was called a "fort" because the local government offices, or "Boma", were once fortified. Fort Jameson was the capital of the British protectorate of North-Eastern Rhodesia between 1900 and 1911.

Government

The

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well ...

of the city of Chipata is the head of the city government.

Population

With a population of about 455,783 in 2010, the Chipata district is believed to be the 3rd largest district of the country. The city of Chipata had 116.600 inhabitants in 2010. The predominant ethnic groups in the city are the Chewa, Tumbuka, Ngoni and Nsenga.

Economy

Chipata is the primary transport hub for trade between Zambia and Malawi. "Down Shops" is Chipata's bustling down-town area, most shops and other businesses having proprietors of Indian origin. Two notable shops are Kavulamungu Bargain Centre, and Ally & Sons.

Tourism

The Nc'wala ceremony of the Ngoni people takes place at Mutenguleni on the outskirts of Chipata. The ceremony celebrates the first fruits harvest and is usually held at the end of February.

Hospitality

Chipata has five Hotels and several guest houses and lodges dotted across the city that meets international standards. Some of the notable places of accommodation in Chipata include Protea Hotel a three-star Hotel that has been in the city for over 10 years. Crystal Springs Hotel about 1.5km away from town centre as you go towards Malawi is another Hotel with excellent Conference Halls and Swimming pool facilities. It has been in operation for over 25 years. Nyamfinzi Hotel, Fort Jameson and Luangwa House operated by Hostels Board of Zambia. Other notable guest Houses and Lodges include;
• Dean's Hillview Lodge
• Eastern Comfort Lodge
• Pineview Guest House
• La Rochelle
• Franklin Gardens
• Jemita Guest House
• Dredel Lodge
• Travel Lodge
• Golf Rest House
• Chiwayu Guest House
• Yanja Lodge
• Mama Rula's campsite
• Kigelia Campsite
• Mwana Chanda Lodge
• Mukels Lodge
• Fort Young's Lodge
• Chikhute Guest House
• Wise Donkey Guest House
• Roadside Guest House
• Sunnyside Lodge
• Katuta Lodge
• Crossroads Lodges
• Gloka Guest House
• Calmrest Lodge
• Mercury one Lodge
• CTV Lodge
• Streamside Guest House
• Chipata Motel
• VNT Motel
• Tilandile Guest House
• Murphy Guest House
• Hom's cottage
• Rombando Executive Lodge
• Chansolo Lodge
• Malent
• Escape view Lodge
• New Horizon view Lodge
• Eastlands Lodge
• Redmont Guest House
• Chatowa Lodge
• Kum'mawa Lodge

Transport

An extension of the Sena railway, connecting the city of Chipata to the territory of Malawi (via Mchinji) was opened in August 2011. Chipata will now act as the Zambian railhead and entry point from Malawi and beyond. In the pipeline since 1982, the short link, about , provides a through-route for rail traffic from Zambia via Malawi to the Indian Ocean deep-water port at Nacala in

Mozambique Mozambique (), officially the Republic of Mozambique ( pt, Moçambique or , ; ny, Mozambiki; sw, Msumbiji; ts, Muzambhiki), is a country located in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi ...

. The route and alignment of the line has been laid out, including the site of Chipata station and the basic station building. The route will provide an alternative to two existing rail routes to the Indian Ocean, at Dar es Salaam and Beira. In 2015 it was proposed to build a rail link to Serenje, a small town on the TAZARA Railway line.

Intra-city Transportation

Residents in Chipata are serviced mainly by taxis which are mostly Toyota Corolla that transport people from one part of the city to another mostly on short distances. Another common mode of transport is the use of bicycles known as bicycle taxis. These carry passengers at relatively lower fares compared to vehicle taxi. Chipata City is known to the outside world due to its large use of bicycles. The large presence of bicycles can be attributed to the defunct Luangwa bicycle assembly plant that was located in the town back in 1990s. However bicycle taxis are slowly being phased out by motorcycles which have been mushrooming in the city at a very faster rate. Bicycles, motorcycles can take passengers almost anywhere including in places that may not be accessible by vehicles. Not only that, white Minibuses with a green ribbon(colour for Eastern province) around them locally known as "Bongo" have also been used as public transport in Chipata for almost 10 years. Bongos make up a reasonable percentage of the traffic volumes in Chipata. Bongos usually service high density residential areas by ferrying passengers from the city centre to suburbs and back. These are found in very limited streets because they mainly target residential areas with a lot of people such as Mchini, Navutika, Sido, Kapata and Magazine. Other areas are not serviced due to lack of target customers and absence of proper surfaced roads among other reasons. However lack of adherence to traffic rules by bus and taxi operators is a serious concern raised by Chipata residents. This include a large presence of unregistered, not roadworthy vehicles and motorcycles being allowed to operate on the roads and authorities have done little to enforce the law. Incidents of attacks and theft cases of motorcycles have also been reported in the recent past.

Inter District Transportation

Vehicle Taxis and Minibuses also take passengers to remote villages outside Chipata and other towns elsewhere in Eastern province. Transportation to Katete, Sinda, Petauke and Nyimba can be accessed at Lunkhwakwa bus station/near COMESA market. And those that go to Chadiza are based at Mbanyane Station. Transporters who go to Lundazi are found at Old welcome near Kobil Petrol station. And transportation to Mfuwe or South Luangwa is usually found at Kapata Main bus station. Transporters that go to Mwami are found at Umodzi highway front opposite Saturday Market and Gondar Barracks station is at Highway bakers bus stop.

Rivers

Chipata has four major streams pouring into the Luangwa river. The Luangwa river rises in the Lilonda and Mafinga Hills in north-east

at an elevation of around 1500 meters near the border with

Tanzania Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands ...

and

, and flows in a southwesterly direction through a broad valley. The water from the streams and the Luangwa river is used for farming by the inhabitants around the district.

Soil and Vegetation

There are three main soil types namely Acrisols, Fersiallitic soils, and Lithosols. There are four vegetation types, the main one being the Brachystegia (Miombo) woodland and Munga vegetation types.

Climate

Schools & Colleges

Primary education

* SPS (Shakespeare private school) * Hillside Primary School * Mpezeni Primary School * Chipata Primary School * Kapata Primary School * Chongololo School * St Anne's Primary School * Trinity private School * Mem private School *Lunkwakwa Primary school *St. Betty Primary school *Munga Primary school *Mchini Primary school *Nadalisika primary school *Msekera primary school *Walela Primary school *Madaliso Primary school
Crownhill School

Secondary education

* Anoya Zulu Boys Secondary School * Chizongwe Technical Secondary School * St. Monicas Girls Secondary School * Chipata Day Secondary School * Hillside Girls High School * St. Atanazio Secondary School * St. Mary's Seminary School * Damview Secondary School * Muziphas high school *Katopola Day secondary school *Kanjala Day secondary school *St. Magrets Girls secondary school *Lutembwe Day secondary school *Mazimoyo Day Secondary school *Gondar Day secondary school

Tertiary education

* Chipata Teacher's Training College * Chipata Trades Training Institute * Chipata School of Nursing * DMI-St. Eugene University

Suburbs

* Kalongwezi * Kalongwezi Extension * Kapata * Umodzi * Moth * Muchini * Nabvutika * Little Bombay * Mchenga * Damview * Old Gym * New Gym * Chimwemwe * Magazine * Eastrise * Walela * Chawama * Munga * Chipata Motel * Nadalitsika * Katopola * Maferendum * Rose * Hillview * Gash * Msekera * Messengers *David Kaunda area *Hollywood *Kalongola site and service *Hillview *Chimzere *Gondar Barracks *Highlands *Aslot

References

External links

UN Map

{{Authority control Populated places in Eastern Province, Zambia Capitals of former nations Provincial capitals in Zambia Chipata District