Chipata

Chipata is located approximately 570 kilometres (354 mi), east of Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia.[2] This is about 150 kilometres (93 mi) west of Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi.[3] The geographical coordinates of Chipata are 13°38'43.0"S, 32°38'47.0"E (Latitude:13°38'43.0"S; Longitude:32°38'47.0"E).[4] The average elevation of Chipata is 1,181 metres (3,875 ft), above sea level.[5]

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, an airport, 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 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 Malawi, and lies on the Great East Road which connects the capitals Lilongwe 150 kilometres (93 mi) to the east,[3] and Lusaka 570 kilometres (354 mi) to the west.[4] It is a popular access point for the South Luangwa National Park.

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 Leander Starr Jameson, the 19th-century British politician and adventurer. Even during the colonial period, few agreed 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, the "boma", were once fortified.

Fort Jameson was the capital of the British protectorate of North-Eastern Rhodesia between 1900 and 1911.

• 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

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

With a population of about 455,783 in 2010,[6] the Chipata district is believed to be the 3rd largest district of the country. The city of Chipata had 116.600 inhabitants in 2010.[7] The predominant ethnic groups in the city are the Chewa, Tumbuka, Ngoni and Nsenga.[8]

Saturday Market in Chipata

A significant amount of trade occurs between Zambia and Malawi via Chipata. The city also has a bustling down town area known as "Down Shops" which has a lot of shops and other businesses mainly run by Zambians of Indian Origin. Most notable shops are Kavulamungu Bargain Centre and Ally and Sons.

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.[1]

Bus and taxi stop shelter on Great East Road

An extension of the Sena railway, connecting the city of Chipata to the territory of Malawi (via Mchinji) was opened in August 2011.[9] Chipata will now act as the Zambian railhead and entry point from Malawi and beyond. In the pipeline since 1982, the short link, about 35 kilometres (22 mi), provides a through-route for rail traffic from Zambia via Malawi to the Indian Ocean deep-water port at Nacala in Mozambique.[10] The route and alignment of the line has been laid out, including the site of Chipata station and the basic station building.[11]

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.[12]

Chipata has four major streams pouring into the Luangwa river.The Luangwa river rises in the Lilonda and Mafinga Hills in north-east Zambia at an elevation of around 1500 meters near the border with Tanzania and Malawi, and flows in a southwestarly direction through a broad valley.[13] The water from the streams and the Luangwa river is used for farming by the inhabitants around the district.

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.

• Railway stations in Zambia
• Railway stations in Malawi
• Transport in Zambia
• Transport in Malawi

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Chipata.

• UN Map
• Largest cities of Zambia