Kigoma

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Kigoma
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pushpin_map_caption =Location in Tanzania
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = flag|Tanzania
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = Kigoma Region
subdivision_type2 =District
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population_as_of =2002
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population_total =130,142
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latd=4|latm=53|lats=|latNS=S
longd=29|longm=38|longs=|longEW=E
timezone =East Africa Time
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Kigoma is a town and lake port in western Tanzania, on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika and close to the border with Burundi. It serves as the capital for the surrounding Kigoma Region and has a population of 130,142 (2002 census) and an elevation of 775 m.

The historic trading town of Ujiji is 6 km south-east of Kigoma.

Kigoma Port

Kigoma is one of the busiest ports on Lake Tanganyika, as a consequence of being the only one (as of 2007) with a functioning railway connection (since the one at Kalemie in DR Congo is not operational). Furthermore it is a direct link to the seaport at Dar-es-Salaam. Kigoma Port in Kigoma Bay has a wharf of two hundred metres and several cranes and is equipped to handle shipping containers. [ [http://www.trctz.com/kigoma.htm Tanzania Railways Corporation: "Kigoma Port."] Retrieved 30 May 2007.] However, the bay is suffering from silting up as a result of soil erosion from surrounding hills, and the water depth at wharfside has diminished from 6 m to 1.8 m which threatens the economic future of the port. In May 2007 the Tanzanian Government announced a plan to create an economic zone at the port to stimulate trade. [ [http://www.dailynews-tsn.com/page.php?id=7016 "Daily News, Tanzania": "500m/- set for Kigoma economic zone."] Monday, May 28, 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2007.] Lake ferries including the MV Liemba sail from Kigoma to Bujumbura in Burundi, Kalundu-Uvira in DR Congo, Mpulungu in Zambia at the southern tip of the lake, and a number of other lakeside towns in Tanzania.

Road connections for Kigoma are poor however. A gravel road links the town northeast to the national road network, and earth tracks link north to Burundi and southeast to Sumbawanga. [Michelin Motoring and Tourist Map (2000): "No 955 Africa Central and South". Michelin, Paris.]

Kigoma-Dar es Salaam Railway

The Tanzania Railways Corporation line runs from Kigoma to the port of Dar-es-Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast via Tabora and Dodoma. It was completed in 1915 when Kigoma was part of German East Africa. In Tabora, there is connection to Mwanza on Lake Victoria, with ferry connections to Uganda. At Tabora you can also travel by train to Mpanda.

As of 2007 the passenger trains do not reach Dar es Salaam due to track deterioration between Dodoma and Dar es Salaam. However, there is very good bus transportation from Dodoma to Dar es Salaam.

ee also

* Ujiji
*Lake Tanganyika

External links

* [http://www.trctz.com/kigoma.htm Kigoma port details and photos]

References

* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/TZ/5/Kigoma.html FallingRain Map - elevation = 775m]