MWANZA REGION GUIDE: Mwanza has its nickname – “The Rock city” 

Area of Mwanza region: Mwanza region covers 35,187 square kilometers out of which 20,095 square kilometers is semi- arid, while another 15,092 square kilometers is covered by lake Victoria. The fish caught in lake Victoria consists of three main species, namely Nile perch, Tilapia and dagaa or Omena. The Nile perch first appeared in Lake Victoria in the late 1950s. The fish is locally known as Mbuta or sangara and fishery experts say it can grow to two meters in length and weigh up to 200 kg.

Establishment (History):

Mwanza was founded by a German Colonial agent – Emin Pasha in 1892 as an administrative centre to control cotton exports from the area. In 2012, Mwanza region celebrated its 120th anniversary since its inception and in other words Mwanza came to life seven (7) years before Nairobi city, the capital of Kenya. Nairobi was established in 1899. In 2000, president Benjamin Mkapa elevated Mwanza into city status, becoming the second city in Tanzania after Dar es salaam. Now Mwanza is the third biggest (with agglomeration second biggest) town in Tanzania.

Prof. Hans Meyer, writing in the Das Deutsch Kolonialreich in 1908, said by then Mwanza consisted of 1200 Africans, 64 European inhabitatnts and 50 Indian traders. There were a handful of European firms and a district office. Others were a company of soldiers, a post and Telegraph line to Tabora, a hospital and a hotel .in 1953, Mwanza was elevated to the status of a town council by the then British colonial governor, sir Edward Twining. In 1980, Mwanza became the second municipality after TANGA.

Administration:

Administratively, Mwanza region is divided into eight (8) districts: