Petauke

Petauke, even Old Petauke or Petauka, is a town with 20,388 inhabitants ( 2006 estimate ) on the Great East Road in the Eastern Province in Zambia. It lies 900 meters above sea level and is the seat of administration of the same district with 235 879 inhabitants ( 2000 census ). The distance to Lusaka is 380 km, 130 km to Chipata. Dominant language is Nsenga.

History

Petauke was since the 17th century, a Portuguese outpost and trading center for ivory from the Bangweulusümpfen and the Luangwa valley in the 19th century as well as a station for the postal runners to the north.

Economy

Petauke is marked as 60 kilometers west -lying place Nyimba of agriculture. It dominates open grassland. The soil is fertile. There are mainly cultivated corn, tobacco and cotton ( 1,538 tons (2005) ), but also bananas, sugar cane, millet, rice, tomatoes, onions and peanuts. The lending program of the African Development Bank for smallholders here is mainly used for carts and water pumps. There is a brewery ( Mafuta beer ). The district is the most economically and demographically the fastest growing in Zambia. In the surrounding copper, gold and phosphate deposits were found. In particular, the phosphate deposits are to be based on an artificial fertilizer production, for which Chinese investors have been requested.

In the area between Katete and Petauke Aquamarine ( water blue and green hue ) are found, obtain the U.S. $ 800 per carat. There are limestone deposits.

Infrastructure

The Great East Road runs through Petauke. A path with many streams, but without any bridge that leads to Mfue the South Luangwa National Park. There you find the Flatdogs Lodge, which has, like all other lodges set on and in this park to the considerable increase in tourism. There is an airfield. In Petauke there is a gas station, a hotel, primary and secondary schools and the Covenant College and Minga Mission in the Church Minga Hospital.