# Mwanza

> Lakeside City

**Wikidata**: [Q110218](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110218)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mwanza)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mwanza

## Summary
Mwanza is a port city and the capital of the Mwanza Region in Tanzania, located on the southern shore of Lake Victoria. Established in 1892, this large human settlement serves as a major urban center within the Ilemela and Nyamagana districts. As of the 2012 census, the city had a population of 706,453, solidifying its status as a significant economic and administrative hub in the region.

## Key Facts
- **Location:** Situated in Tanzania, specifically within the Mwanza Region, Ilemela District, and Nyamagana District.
- **Geography:** Located on the shore of Lake Victoria at coordinates -2.5166666666667, 32.9, with an elevation of 1,140 meters above sea level.
- **Timezone:** Observes UTC+03:00.
- **Inception:** Founded in 1892.
- **Population:** 
  - 706,453 (2012 Census, preferred value).
  - 385,810 (August 1, 2002).
  - 172,287 (August 28, 1988).
  - 110,553 (August 26, 1978).
- **Classification:** Defined as a city, port city, and big city.
- **Capital Status:** Serves as the capital of the Mwanza Region.
- **UN/LOCODE:** TZMWZ.
- **Twin Cities:** Tampere, Arendal, and Würzburg (partnership with Würzburg began in 1966).
- **Aliases:** Also known as Mwanza City, Muansa, and 음완자.

## FAQs
**Where is Mwanza located?**
Mwanza is a lakeside city in Tanzania, positioned on the southern edge of Lake Victoria. Administratively, it spans the Ilemela and Nyamagana districts and serves as the capital of the Mwanza Region.

**What is the population history of Mwanza?**
The city has experienced significant growth, recording 110,553 residents in 1978, 172,287 in 1988, and 385,810 in 2002. By the 2012 census, the population reached 706,453.

**What are Mwanza's sister cities?**
Mwanza maintains international relationships through twin city agreements with Tampere, Arendal, and Würzburg. The partnership with Würzburg specifically dates back to 1966.

**What is the geographical elevation of Mwanza?**
The city sits at an elevation of 1,140 meters above sea level.

**When was Mwanza established?**
Mwanza was founded in 1892.

## Why It Matters
Mwanza plays a pivotal role as the economic and administrative capital of the Mwanza Region, leveraging its status as a port city on Lake Victoria to facilitate trade and transport. Its strategic location on the lake connects it to regional markets, supporting its classification as a "big city" and a major population center in Tanzania. The city's rapid population growth, from just over 100,000 in the late 1970s to over 700,000 in 2012, highlights its increasing importance as an urban hub. Furthermore, its international twinning agreements reflect its engagement in global cultural and municipal exchanges.

## Notable For
- **Port City Status:** Distinguished as a port city located directly on Lake Victoria.
- **High Elevation:** Situated at 1,140 meters above sea level.
- **Historical Foundation:** Established in the late 19th century (1892).
- **International Partnerships:** Maintains long-standing sister city relationships, including a partnership with Würzburg established in 1966.
- **Extensive Documentation:** The entity is documented in numerous databases and has a Wikipedia presence in over 60 languages.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Mwanza is geographically defined by its position on the southern shores of Lake Victoria, earning it the description of a "Lakeside City." The city's precise coordinates are -2.5166666666667 latitude and 32.9 longitude. It sits at a significant elevation of 1,140 meters above sea level. Administratively, Mwanza is located within the Mwanza Region and spans across the Ilemela District and the Nyamagana District. The city is adjacent to Lake Victoria, which serves as a critical geographical feature for its identity and economy.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Mwanza has seen substantial growth over several decades, as recorded by various census data points. In 1978, the population was recorded at 110,553. This number rose to 172,287 by the census conducted on August 28, 1988. By the determination made on August 1, 2002, the population had grown to 385,810. The most recent preferred data from the 2012 census (August 26, 2012) indicates a population of 706,453, confirming its status as a large human settlement.

### Administrative Status and Classification
Mwanza is classified as a city, a port city, and a big city. It functions as the capital of the Mwanza Region. The city is identified by the UN/LOCODE TZMWZ. It is also distinct from other entities named Mwanza, as noted by specific data properties distinguishing it from similar regional names.

### International Relations
The city engages in international municipal partnerships through twinning agreements. Mwanza is twinned with Tampere and Arendal. Additionally, it has a twinning relationship with Würzburg that has been active since 1966.

### Metadata and Identifiers
Mwanza is extensively cataloged in global databases and information systems. It holds a variety of identifiers including:
- **GeoNames ID:** 152224
- **GND ID:** 7558818-3
- **VIAF ID:** 125477784
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n79065596
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID:** 255590322
- **Who's On First ID:** 421177211
- **Yale LUX ID:** place/3455bd27-1d10-4288-b910-2fcfc13a0745
- **BBC Things ID:** 3a2bfd64-e55c-45ff-a242-d1dc8461b0e1
- **Freebase ID:** /m/05lj_j
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia Online ID (2017):** 5851682
- **WordNet 3.1 Synset ID:** 09058210-n
- **OpenWeatherMap City ID:** 152224
- **Museum Digital Place ID:** 21258
- **RKD Thesaurus ID:** 19960
- **FactGrid Item ID:** Franz Dinnendahl
- **SNARC ID:** March 9
- **Interlingual Index ID:** i84140
- **Online PWN Encyclopedia ID:** 3944829
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID:** 987007564231605171

### Media and Documentation
The city has a strong digital presence with a specific page banner hosted on Wikimedia Commons. It is the subject of a Wikipedia entry available in a wide array of languages, including but not limited to Arabic, German, English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Swahili. The city is also categorized under "Category:Mwanza" for associated people and those born there. It is described by sources such as the "New Encyclopedic Dictionary."

## References

1. [Source](https://www.tampere.fi/en/organisation/international-affairs/twin-cities)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://www.citypopulation.de/en/tanzania/cities/)
5. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
6. GeoNames
7. BBC Things
8. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/tz.htm)
9. Quora
10. museum-digital