Mwatate

Location

Mwatate lies about 26 km south-west of Voi, the largest town in the county.{{cite web|accessdate=14 September 2016|last=Globefeed.com | url=http://distancecalculator.globefeed.com/Kenya_Distance_Result.asp?fromplace=Voi%2C%20Taita-Taveta%20County%2C%20Kenya&toplace=Mwatate%2C%20Taita-Taveta%20County%2C%20Kenya&dt1=ChIJwUgHhFUpORgRaUxHbrd5KGE&dt2=ChIJ3ZmgJpTeOBgRwQm01Gdjw5M | title=Distance between Voi, Taita-Taveta County, Kenya and Mwatate, Taita-Taveta County, Kenya |date=14 September 2016 | publisher=Globefeed.com}} This is approximately 181 km north-west of the port city of Mombasa, the nearest large city. Mwatate is located about 354 km south-east of Nairobi, the capital and largest city in Kenya.{{cite web|accessdate=14 September 2016 |publisher=Globefeed.com | url=http://distancecalculator.globefeed.com/Kenya_Distance_Result.asp?fromplace=Nairobi%2C%20Nairobi%20County%2C%20Kenya&toplace=Mwatate%2C%20Taita-Taveta%20County%2C%20Kenya%2C&dt1=ChIJp0lN2HIRLxgRTJKXslQCz_c&dt2=ChIJ3ZmgJpTeOBgRwQm01Gdjw5M | title=Distance between Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya and Mwatate, Taita-Taveta County, Kenya |date=14 September 2016 | author=Globefeed.com}} The coordinates of Mwatate are: 03°30'17.0"S, 38°22'40.0"E (Latitude:-3.504720; Longitude:38.377782).{{google maps| url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/3%C2%B030'17.0%22S+38%C2%B022'40.0%22E/@-3.5057079,38.3694086,1072m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d-3.50472!4d38.377782 |title=Location of Mwatate, Taita-Taveta County, Kenya | accessdate=14 September 2016}}

Overview

Mwatate held the headquarters of the whole district during the British colonial rule from 1900 to 1912, when the headquarters moved to Voi. Teita Sisal Estate, one of the largest sisal estates in the world, is also located near the town of Mwatate.{{cite web|url=http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2015/10/06/teita-sisal-estate-to-be-resurveyed-soon-mp_c1217779 | title=Teita Sisal Estate to be resurveyed soon - MP | date=6 October 2015 |accessdate=14 September 2016 | first=Raphael | last=Madime | newspaper=The Star (Kenya) | location=Nairobi}} The town lies at an average elevation of 844 m, above sea level.

Population

In 2011, the population of Taita-Taveta County was quoted at 284,657.{{cite web|url=http://www.nation.co.ke/counties/Taita-Taveta-at-a-glance-/1107872-1165320-b5ngfdz/index.html | title= Taita Taveta at a glance| date=18 May 2011 | accessdate=14 September 2016 | newspaper=Daily Nation | location=Nairobi |last=Daily Nation}} As of May 2015, the population of Mwatate town was estimated at 1.95 percent of the county population, about 5,551 people. The population of the town has increased in recent years partly because of people migrating to town to establish businesses and others are attracted by the lucrative business of buying and selling the precious stone called Tsavorite, that is found around the area.{{cite web| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/aug/13/geologist-campbell-bridges-stabbed-kenya | title=Gem expert Campbell Bridges killed in mob attack in Kenya | accessdate=14 September 2016 |date=13 August 2009 | last=Kennedy | first=Maev | newspaper=The Guardian | location=London}}

References

References

1. Taita-Taveta County. (14 September 2016). "Taita-Taveta County Profile". [[Taita-Taveta County.
2. (14 September 2016). "Distance between Mombasa, Mombasa County, Kenya and Mwatate, Taita-Taveta County, Kenya". Globefeed.com.
3. Bravman B.: Making ethnic ways: communities and their transformation in Taita, Kenya 1800-1950 (1998)
4. TipTopGlobe.com. (14 September 2016). "Mwatate City Map, Population & Location". TipTopGlobe.com.
5. HRI}}{{dead link. (February 2024). "Taita-Taveta County: Secondary Data Review". HumanitarianResponse.Info (HRI).