Mbabane

Mbabane

A street in downtown Mbabane
Mbabane

Location of Mbabane in Swaziland.

Coordinates: 26°19′S 31°08′E / 26.317°S 31.133°E / -26.317; 31.133
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
Climate Cwb
Website www.mbabane.org.sz

Mbabane (/(əm)bɑˈbɑn(i)/, Swazi: ÉMbábáne) is the capital and largest city in Swaziland. With an estimated population of 94,874 (2010), it is located on the Mbabane River and its tributary the Polinjane River in the Mdzimba Mountains. It is located in the Hhohho Region, 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 Swazi 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 moderate subtropical highland climate (Cwb). The city has a mild climate and snow is a rare event, which has occurred only 3 times since 1900. The city averages only four days of frost a year. The average temperature is 11 °C (52 °F) in July and 22 °C (72 °F) in January.[3]

Climate data for Mbabane
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 24.9
(76.8)		 24.5
(76.1)		 24.1
(75.4)		 22.6
(72.7)		 21.4
(70.5)		 19.3
(66.7)		 19.8
(67.6)		 21.3
(70.3)		 23.2
(73.8)		 22.8
(73)		 22.5
(72.5)		 23.7
(74.7)		 22.5
(72.5)
Average low °C (°F) 14.9
(58.8)		 14.5
(58.1)		 13.4
(56.1)		 11.0
(51.8)		 7.9
(46.2)		 4.7
(40.5)		 4.6
(40.3)		 6.6
(43.9)		 9.5
(49.1)		 11.3
(52.3)		 12.9
(55.2)		 14.2
(57.6)		 10.5
(50.9)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 253.2
(9.969)		 224.6
(8.843)		 151.6
(5.969)		 87.9
(3.461)		 33.8
(1.331)		 19.4
(0.764)		 20.1
(0.791)		 35.1
(1.382)		 69.4
(2.732)		 141.9
(5.587)		 197.8
(7.787)		 206.9
(8.146)		 1,441.7
(56.76)
Average rainy days 16.9 14.3 13.8 9.8 5.1 2.8 3.1 6.5 9.2 14.9 17.0 16.5 129.9
Source: World Meteorological Organization[4]
View of Mbabane
Portable market hut in Mbabane, 1979

International relations

Twin towns – Sister cities

Mbabane is twinned with:

References

  1. ↑ Whitaker's Almamack; 1988
  2. ↑ "Indingilizi Gallery". Swaziplace.com. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  3. ↑ The Cambridge Factfinder; 4th ed.
  4. ↑ "World Weather Information Service – Mbabane". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  5. ↑ "Mbabane". Sister Cities International. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "Taipei - International Sister Cities". Taipei City Council. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
  7. ↑ "Maputo". Tourism in Swaziland. Retrieved 2015-03-17.

Coordinates: 26°19′S 31°08′E / 26.317°S 31.133°E / -26.317; 31.133

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