Kasungu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kasungu
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 Kasungu
Location in Malawi
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| Country |  Malawi |
| Region | Central Region |
| District | Kasungu District |
| Elevation | 4,403 ft (1,342 m) |
| Population
(2018 Census)
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| • Total | 58,653 |
| Time zone | +2 |
| Climate | Cwa |
Kasungu is a town located in the Central Region of Malawi. It is part of the Kasungu District. In 2018, about 58,653 people lived there.
Kasungu is about 130 kilometers (80 miles) north-west of Lilongwe, which is the capital city of Malawi. It is also 35 kilometers (22 miles) east of Kasungu National Park. The main way people earn a living in Kasungu is by growing tobacco.
Contents
History of Kasungu
A farm near Kasungu is famous as the birthplace of two important Malawian figures. One was Hastings Banda, who became the first President of Malawi. The other was William Kamkwamba, a well-known inventor.
Geography and Climate in Kasungu
Kasungu is located in the central part of Malawi. It sits at a height of about 1,342 meters (4,403 feet) above sea level.
The town has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has a warm, wet season and a cooler, dry season.
- The rainy season usually lasts from November or December until March or April.
- The dry season runs from May to October.
On average, Kasungu gets between 500 and 1,200 millimeters (20 to 47 inches) of rain each year.
| Climate data for Kasungu | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 22.4 (72.3) |
22.4 (72.3) |
22.4 (72.3) |
21.4 (70.5) |
19.3 (66.7) |
17.0 (62.6) |
16.9 (62.4) |
17.5 (63.5) |
20.6 (69.1) |
22.5 (72.5) |
22.9 (73.2) |
23.1 (73.6) |
20.7 (69.3) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 213 (8.4) |
215 (8.5) |
125 (4.9) |
32 (1.3) |
5 (0.2) |
2 (0.1) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
1 (0.0) |
4 (0.2) |
49 (1.9) |
176 (6.9) |
822 (32.4) |
| Source: Climate-Data.org | |||||||||||||
Population of Kasungu
The number of people living in Kasungu has grown over the years:
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 11,591 |
| 1998 | 27,754 |
| 2008 | 39,640 |
| 2018 | 58,653 |
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1987 | 11,591 | — |
| 1998 | 27,754 | +8.26% |
| 2008 | 39,640 | +3.63% |
| 2018 | 58,653 | +4.00% |
| source: | ||
Main Language Spoken
The main language spoken by people in Kasungu is Chichewa.
Facilities and Services
Transportation in Kasungu
Kasungu has bus and minibus services. These vehicles connect the town to larger cities like Lilongwe and Mzuzu. In 2008, there were plans to extend the railway line from Lilongwe to Kasungu.
Local Amenities
In Kasungu, you can find places to stay like guesthouses. There are also bars, restaurants, and four petrol stations. While there aren't many big tourist attractions right in town, Kasungu National Park is only an hour's drive away to the west. Kamuzu Academy, a well-known school, is about 25 minutes east by road.
Emergency and Health Services
Kasungu has a police station to help keep people safe. The town also has a large government-funded hospital with 179 beds. This hospital serves the entire Kasungu District. Sometimes, the hospital can get very busy and may not have enough nurses or medicines. Its children's department, which has 13 beds, can sometimes have over 100 patients, meaning some children might have to lie on the floor. Organizations like UNICEF have helped by providing funds to train healthcare workers in Kasungu.
Land and Economy
The land around Kasungu often lacks important nutrients and water. Much of it is sandy. The forests in the Kasungu area are also shrinking. In 2004, a local leader mentioned that many people in Kasungu did not own any land.
Tobacco is the main cash crop grown in the Kasungu district. This area is known as a major tobacco-growing region. The opening of Kasungu National Park in 1970 has also helped bring more visitors to the area. Because of poverty, most people in Kasungu live in homes made from mud bricks. These homes often have roofs made of straw or metal sheets.
Connections with Other Countries
Schools and churches in Kasungu have built relationships with groups in England.
- Kaluluma School in Kasungu has a connection with Greenford High School in Southall, England.
- A church in Kasungu also started a partnership with two churches near Peterborough, England, in 2001. Members from the English churches have visited Kasungu several times. They have helped build a new church and a fish farm. In 2008, this church group also helped build a mill for grinding maize in Kasungu.
Important Events
Challenges with Food and Health
In 2002, a severe food shortage affected Malawi, and Kasungu was one of the worst-hit areas. More than 100 people died during this time. Another food shortage happened in Malawi in 2005, impacting over 4 million people. Efforts to deliver food to those in need were focused in Kasungu. Between 2004 and 2005, there was also an outbreak of cholera, a serious illness.
Chess Championships
In January 2008, the African Junior Chess Championships were held near Kasungu at Kamuzu Academy. This academy is a highly respected school. It was founded by Malawi's first President, Hastings Banda.
Notable People from Kasungu
- William Kamkwamba: He is a Malawian inventor, engineer, and author. He is famous for building a wind turbine to power his family's home.
See also
In Spanish: Kasungu para niños
