Historia

GENERAL INFORMATION

Makete district is located at the extreme Western end of Njombe region, about 110 km. from the Regional Headquarters. It also lies adjacent to the Northern shores of Lake Nyasa, separated by a steep escarpment, stretches slowly into the lower and flatter lands of Njombe district on the Eastern side.

The district, however, is bordered with Njombe district in the East, Mbarali district on the north, Ludewa and Lake Nyasa on the south, while Rungwe district is located on the Western side of the district. Moreover, the district , by using latitude and longitude as an international identification, lies between 08⁰45’ and 09⁰40’ South of Equator and between 33⁰85’ and 34⁰30’ East of Greenwich, covering a total surface area of 5,800 sq. km.

The district is mountainous with Numbi Mountains, and Kipengere ranges except of Kitulo plateau and several steep slopes lies at an altitude of between 1,500 metres to 3,000 metres above sea level, covered by alluvial soil. Kipengere Mountains ranges and Numbi Mountains is the common feature of Makete district which divide the district into North and South. The Livingstone Mountain ranges which is covered by Livingstone Mountain Forest Reserve forms the edge to the western and south western parts of the district. Because of the high altitude the district experiences temperate climate with low temperatures as low as freezing point and long rainy seasons. However, temperatures and rainfall vary with the altitude. High altitudes between 1,500 – 3,000 metres above sea level fall under cold zones with temperatures ranging between 2⁰ – 20⁰ centigrade and rainfall vary from 1,500 – 2,800 mm. per annum.  Areas of low altitude such as Usangu plains experience high temperatures of 20⁰ – 30⁰ centigrade with unreliable rainfall normally ranging between 300 – 800 mm. per annum.