Iringa is one
of Tanzania's
thirty administrative
regions Iringa is a city in Tanzania with a
population of 112,900 (as of 2004). It is situated at a latitude of
7.77°S and longitude of
35.69°E. The name is derived from the Hehe word lilinga,
meaning fort
Iringa
is the administrative capital of Iringa Region. It has many established industries, including
manufacturing and food processing. Most of its electricity comes from the
nearby Mtera Dam. Iringa is a minor transport hub, with regular bus
service and trucking to Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Songea, and Dodoma.
HISTORY
Iringa
was built during the 1890s by the German Army as a defensive base to be used
against the Hehe uprising led by Chief Mkwawa. The fortress and headquarters of Chief Mkwawa was
situated in the nearby village of Kalenga. The town stretches along a hilltop overlooking the
Ruaha River to the south, and spreads along ridges and valleys to the north.
The altitude of the town's environs is more than 1,550 metres (5,090 ft)
above sea level. The months of June, July, and August can see low
temperatures near freezing. The Tanzam Highway passes through the valley below the town; the highway
distance from Iringa's limits to Dar es Salaam is 502 kilometers (312 mi), via Morogoro. The Isimila Stone Age site, which lies about 20 km (12 mi) to the
southwest, contains archeological artifacts, particularly stone tools, from
human habitation about 70,000 years ago.
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