Makete

Makete

Makete District (sometimes also spelled 'Mwakete') is one of the five districts of Njombe Region of Tanzania. It is bordered to the North and West by the Mbeya Region, to the East by the Njombe District and to the South by the Ludewa District. It is divided into six divisions and 17 wards. Makete District was founded in 1979 with the policy of the Ujamaa. Before, this part of Iringa Region belonged to Njombe District.

According to the 2002 Tanzania National Census, the population of the Makete District was 128,520. The Wakinga people mostly live in Makete District.

The area of the district is 5800 km², however, only 371 km² is agriculturally useful land. The region is at an altitude of 1500 to 3000 m above sea level, being crossed by both the Livingstone Mountains and the Kipengere Range. Temperatures range from 2 to 20° Celsius and 20 to 30° Celsius in the mountains and on the plateau, respectively. Annual rainfall is from 1500 to 2800 mm in the mountains and 300 to 800 mm on the plateau. Major rivers originating from the mountains are Numbi, Kimani, Luvanyila and Ijangala. Smaller portions of the Great Ruaha River Basin lie within Makete District.