# Lichinga

> Província do Niassa

**Wikidata**: [Q667650](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q667650)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichinga)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lichinga

## Summary
Lichinga is the capital city of Niassa Province in northern Mozambique, serving as a key administrative and regional hub. It is a large urban center with a population of over 142,000 as of 2007, and functions as the seat of both Lichinga District and the broader Niassa Province. The city is notable for its high elevation of 1,398 meters above sea level and its role in regional governance and culture.

## Key Facts
- Lichinga is located in **Mozambique**, specifically in **Niassa Province**, of which it is the capital.
- It is situated in **Lichinga District**.
- Population: **142,253** (as of 2007).
- Coordinates: **-13.3° S, 35.245555555556° E**.
- Area: **280 km²**.
- Elevation: **1,398 meters above sea level**.
- Timezone: **UTC+01:00**.
- Official language: **Portuguese**.
- Instance of: **city**, **municipality of Mozambique**, **big city**.
- Capital of: **Niassa Province**.
- Twinned with: **Vila Nova de Poiares**, Portugal.
- UN/LOCODE: **MZVXC**.
- VIAF ID: **124512523**.
- GeoNames ID: **1043893**.
- Freebase ID: **/m/09m15p**.
- BBC Things ID: **77abd7ee-2897-4f5c-b806-811f473d73ea**.
- Yale LUX ID: **place/276fde32-3c6f-46bd-9715-2b1232b35e9f**.
- Who's On First ID: **421176927**.
- OpenStreetMap Node ID: **335126704**.
- Library of Congress Authority ID: **n97901815**.
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: **987007535721505171**.
- Sitelink count: **43**.
- Wikipedia languages with articles: **af, ar, arz, ca, ceb, cs, da, de, en, eo, es, eu, fa, fi, fr, frr, gag, hr, hy, id, it, ja, ka, ko, lt, mdf, mg, nl, no, pl, pt, ro, ru, sv, sw, uk, ur, wuu, zh, zh_yue, zu**.
- Image: [Conselho Municipal Lichinga](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Conselho_Municipal_Lichinga.jpg) (caption: Ajuntament de Lichinga).
- Aliases: Ciudad de Lichinga, Villa Cabral, Vila Cabral, ヴィラ・カブラル, リチンガ.

## FAQs

### What is Lichinga known for?
Lichinga is known as the capital of **Niassa Province** in **Mozambique** and serves as a major administrative and cultural center in the region. It is also recognized for its high elevation and its role in local governance and regional development.

### What is the population of Lichinga?
As of **2007**, the population of Lichinga was **142,253**.

### What is the geography and climate of Lichinga?
Lichinga is located at **-13.3° S, 35.245555555556° E**, with an elevation of **1,398 meters** above sea level. It is situated in a **mountainous** region, which contributes to its cooler climate.

### What is the administrative structure of Lichinga?
Lichinga is both the **capital of Niassa Province** and the **seat of Lichinga District**. It is part of the **Mozambican municipal system** and is twinned with **Vila Nova de Poiares** in Portugal.

### What languages are spoken in Lichinga?
The official language is **Portuguese**, though local languages such as **Makhuwa** and **Swahili** are also widely spoken.

### What is the significance of Lichinga's elevation?
At **1,390 meters above sea level**, Lichinga is one of the higher-altitude cities in Mozambique, which influences its climate and agricultural potential.

### What is the administrative and cultural importance of Lichinga?
Lichinga serves as a **regional capital**, a **cultural center**, and a **hub for local governance**. It also plays a role in **inter-municipal cooperation** through its twinning with **Vila Nova de Poiares**.

## Why It Matters
Lichinga is a vital regional center in northern Mozambique, functioning as the **administrative capital of Niassa Province**. It plays a key role in governance, education, and cultural preservation in the region. Its high elevation and strategic location make it a unique urban center in a country where most cities are coastal. As a **municipality**, it also contributes to Mozambique's internal development and decentralization efforts.

## Notable For
- Being the **capital of Niassa Province**, one of the most remote and least developed regions in Mozambique.
- Its **high elevation** of 1,398 meters, making it one of the highest cities in the country.
- Its **cultural and linguistic diversity**, with Portuguese as the official language and local languages like Makhuwa widely spoken.
- Its **twinning with Vila Nova de Poiares**, a Portuguese municipality, promoting international cooperation.
- Its **extensive data coverage** in global databases, including **GeoNames**, **Freebase**, **VIAF**, and **OpenStreetMap**.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Lichinga is located in **northern Mozambique**, within **Niassa Province**, at coordinates **-13.3° S, 35.245555555556° E**. The city sits at an elevation of **1,398 meters above sea level**, making it one of the highest urban centers in the country. It is part of **Lichinga District**, which it also administers as the district capital.

### Administrative Role
As the **capital of Niassa Province**, Lichinga is the **administrative and political center** of one of Mozambique's most geographically isolated regions. It plays a central role in **provincial governance**, **public services**, and **regional development**. The city also serves as a **municipal seat**, overseeing local governance for its district.

### Demographics and Population
Lichinga had a population of **142,253** as of **2007**. It is a **large urban center** and classified as a **big city** in Mozambican terms. The city is part of a growing urban network in northern Mozambique, with increasing importance due to its **administrative and cultural role**.

### Language and Culture
The **official language** in Lichinga is **Portuguese**, though local languages such as **Makhuwa** and **Swahili** are also widely spoken. The city is part of a broader **Lusophone and Bantu cultural context**, reflecting both colonial and indigenous influences.

### International Recognition
Lichinga is recognized in global databases such as **GeoNames (ID: 1043893)**, **Freebase (/m/09m15p)**, and **VIAF (124512523)**. It is also part of the **OpenStreetMap** and **Who's On First** geographic databases, indicating its importance in **digital cartography and global data systems**.

### Twinning and International Relations
Lichinga is **twinned with Vila Nova de Poiares**, a Portuguese municipality, promoting **cultural and administrative cooperation** between the two regions. This relationship supports **inter-municipal development projects** and **cultural exchange**.

### Infrastructure and Urban Planning
Lichinga covers an area of **280 km²** and is part of a **regional development framework** that includes infrastructure projects, public services, and urban planning initiatives. It is also a **hub for regional transportation and communication**.

### Historical and Digital Presence
Lichinga has a **significant digital presence**, with entries in over **40 Wikipedia language versions** and a **Commons category** dedicated to its documentation. It is also part of **BBC Things** and **Yale LUX**, indicating its relevance in **global knowledge systems**.

### Environmental and Regional Context
Due to its **high elevation**, Lichinga has a **cooler climate** than most of Mozambique, which affects **agriculture and settlement patterns**. The city is part of a **larger ecosystem** of **northern Mozambican urban centers**, contributing to **regional development and sustainability**.

### Governance and Political Structure
Lichinga is both the **provincial capital** and a **municipal seat**, making it a **key node in Mozambique's decentralized governance structure**. It is also a **cultural center**, hosting local festivals, educational institutions, and public services.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. GeoNames
4. BBC Things
5. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/mz.htm)
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File