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Near the Zambian border deep in the southern
highlands, the city of Mbeya is the major
agricultural capital in the country’s south-west
region. The Mbeya mountain range lies to the
north, and the Poroto mountain range lies to the
south-east. Large coffee and tea plantations,
banana farms, and fields of cocoa are all grown
around the region and come to Mbeya for
packaging and transport. Mbeya’s location also
makes it an idea transit point for good
travelling by road and rail between Tanzania and
neighbouring Zambia and Malawi.
In addition to its agricultural prosperity,
Mbeya’s mineral wealth has attracted investment
and provides the country with a good source of
wealth. The town was originally founded in the
1930’s, when gold was discovered and a ‘gold
rush’ ensued. But instead of running out and
becoming a ghost town, Mbeya has continued to
supply the country with a regular amount of
gold. Its mountain views and pleasant weather
make it a good stopover point for over land
travellers heading south. |
