Mtwara

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Mtwara
City of Mtwara Region
The western shores of the Indian Ocean as seen from Mtwara.
Mtwara Location of Mtwara Show map of Tanzania Mtwara Mtwara (Africa) Show map of Africa Mtwara Mtwara (Earth) Show map of Earth
Coordinates: 10°16′25″S 40°10′58″E / 10.27361°S 40.18278°E / -10.27361; 40.18278
Country	Tanzania
Region	Mtwara Region
Proclamation of the Region	1971
Government
• Regional Commissioner	Hon. Col Ahmed Abbas Ahmed
• Regional Administrative Secretary	Bahati I. Geuzye [1][2]
Population  (2022 census)[3]
• Total	140,793
Time zone	UTC+3 (EAT)
Website	Town website

Mtwara (Portuguese: Montewara) is the capital city of Mtwara Region in southeastern Tanzania. In the 1940s, it was planned and constructed as the export facility for the disastrous Tanganyika groundnut scheme, but was somewhat neglected when the scheme was abandoned in 1951. The city is spread out over a large area planned to accommodate up to 200,000 people. The present population is around 141,000. As part of the development associated with the failed Tanganyika groundnut scheme, Mtwara features a deep-water port that can accommodate ocean-going vessels, and a range of large municipal buildings, including a post office. Recent improvements in the port made it possible for big container ships to berth there.