Choma, Zambia
Choma | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Seal | |
  Choma Location in Zambia | |
| Coordinates: 16°46′16″S 26°59′32″E / 16.77111°S 26.99222°E | |
| Country |  Zambia |
| Province | Southern Province |
| District | Choma District |
| Elevation | 4,386 ft (1,337 m) |
| Population (2010 Census)[1] | |
• Total | 51,842 |
Choma is a town that serves as the capital of the Southern Province of Zambia. It is also the capital of Choma District, one of the 15 administrative districts in the province.[2]
Geography
Location
Choma lies on the Lusaka–Livingstone Road, approximately 292 kilometres (181 mi) south-west of Lusaka, the national capital and largest city in Zambia.[3] This is approximately 194 kilometres (121 mi), by road, northeast of Livingstone, the largest city in Zambia's Southern Province.[4] The geographical coordinates of Choma are:16°46'16.0"S, 26°59'32.0"E (Latitude:-16.771111; Longitude:26.992222).[5] Choma sits at an average elevation of 1,337 metres (4,386 ft) above mean sea level.[6] The Nkanga River Conservation Area lies approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Choma town.[1]
Climate
Choma has the typical climate of southern Zambia with temperatures between 14 °C and 28 °C and sunshine ranging between 9 and 12 hours per day. The highest temperatures occur between the beginning of October and the end of December. Once the rains start, temperatures tend to fall, partly because of the rain and partly due to the often heavy cloud cover. The lowest temperatures are usually recorded in June and July.
The rains generally start in the middle of October and continue through up to the beginning of April. Rainfall reaches its peak around January after which it diminishes slightly up to the beginning of April when usually it ceases entirely. Choma has an average rainfall of 800 mm of which 369 mm falls in January and February. There are variations in total rainfall and rainfall patterns from year to year and even in a particular season. These variations can have a major impact on crop yield. Humidity falls to about 33% until the onset of rains in October after which it skyrockets to about 77% in February. Humidity nosedives once the rains cease in April. The wind is predominantly from the east and south-west, and to a lesser degree from the north-east. The strength of the wind from these directions can be comparatively strong.
| Climate data for Choma (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 37.2 (99.0) |
35 (95) |
34.9 (94.8) |
34 (93) |
32.5 (90.5) |
34 (93) |
31.1 (88.0) |
34.1 (93.4) |
37.6 (99.7) |
39.6 (103.3) |
39.2 (102.6) |
35.9 (96.6) |
35.4 (95.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 27.6 (81.7) |
27.6 (81.7) |
27.5 (81.5) |
26.8 (80.2) |
25.7 (78.3) |
23.6 (74.5) |
23.4 (74.1) |
26.6 (79.9) |
30.2 (86.4) |
32.0 (89.6) |
30.8 (87.4) |
28.1 (82.6) |
25.5 (77.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 22.5 (72.5) |
22.4 (72.3) |
21.9 (71.4) |
20.0 (68.0) |
17.4 (63.3) |
15.1 (59.2) |
14.8 (58.6) |
17.8 (64.0) |
21.5 (70.7) |
24.1 (75.4) |
24.2 (75.6) |
22.8 (73.0) |
20.4 (68.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 17.3 (63.1) |
17.1 (62.8) |
16.3 (61.3) |
13.2 (55.8) |
9.1 (48.4) |
6.6 (43.9) |
6.1 (43.0) |
8.9 (48.0) |
12.8 (55.0) |
16.2 (61.2) |
17.5 (63.5) |
17.5 (63.5) |
12.3 (54.1) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 11 (52) |
10.6 (51.1) |
10.2 (50.4) |
6.2 (43.2) |
0.5 (32.9) |
−0.9 (30.4) |
0.2 (32.4) |
0.8 (33.4) |
4 (39) |
6.5 (43.7) |
10.2 (50.4) |
11.4 (52.5) |
5.9 (42.6) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 181.4 (7.14) |
141.8 (5.58) |
112.7 (4.44) |
26.3 (1.04) |
5.5 (0.22) |
1.5 (0.06) |
0.1 (0.00) |
0.3 (0.01) |
1.5 (0.06) |
12.5 (0.49) |
73.5 (2.89) |
162.9 (6.41) |
723.9 (28.50) |
| Source: NOAA[7] | |||||||||||||
Population
In 1990, the population of Choma was 30,143. In 2000, there were 40,405 people. The 2010 population census and household survey enumerated the population of the town at 51,842 inhabitants.[8] The table below illustrates the same data.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 30,143 | — |
| 2000 | 40,405 | +34.0% |
| 2010 | 51,842 | +28.3% |
| source:[8] | ||
Education
Choma has a range of both state-funded and private schools. Some of the state funded schools include: 1. Choma Day Secondary School, a mission school 2. Choma Secondary School, another mission school 3. Chuundu Day Secondary School 4. Batoka Secondary School 5. Masuku Secondary School, a mission school 6. Macha Girls' Secondary School, another mission school 7. Njase Girls' Secondary School, a mission school 8. St. Mark's Boys' Secondary School, a mission school 9. Swan Comprehensive School 10. St. Frances Davidson Day Secondary School, a mission school and 11.St Mulumba's Special School, named after the Ugandan Saint Matiya Mulumba.[9]
In 2016, the Government of Zambia indicated intentions to construct a public university in Choma, once suitable land is located.[10]
Culture and lifestyle
Choma Town is home to a museum dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Tonga people of southern Zambia.
Choma has a variety of restaurants, cafes and street food stalls within the gardens of Choma Museum. The main market, Makalanguzu, also sells ingredients and traditional street food, including fish, grains, tobacco leaves and roasted corn.[11]
Choma is home to a number of bars and nightclubs which have hosted notable Zambian artists including Macky 2, Petersen Zagaze and Mampi.[12]
International presence
From 2012 to 2017,[13] Choma hosted successive teams of Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) youth volunteers working in the areas of health, education and environment.[14][15]
Notable people
- Gilbert Choombe, Zambian Olympic boxer
- Emmanuel Zulu, Zambian soccer player
- Jonah Buyoya, Journalist
- Ken Dumbo, Presenter, comedian
- Spencer Sautu, soccer player who plays for the Choma-based Green Eagles F.C.[16]
See also
References
- ^ a b Central Statistical Office Zambia and City Population (14 July 2019). "Population of Zambian Cities and Urban Centres: Choma". Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Zambia Tourism (30 May 2020). "About Choma, Zambia". Lusaka: Zambiatourism.com. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Road Distance Between Lusaka, Zambia and Choma, Zambia" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Distance Between Livingstone, Zambia and Choma, Zambia" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Location of Choma Town, Choma District, Zambia" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Flood Map (30 May 2020). "Elevation of Choma, Zambia". Floodmap.net. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Choma". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Central Statistical Office Zambia and City Population (14 July 2019). "Population of Zambian Cities and Urban Centres: Choma". Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Zambia Yellow Pages (30 May 2020). "Schools in Choma Town". Lusaka: Zambiayp.com. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Lusaka Times (12 January 2016). "Government to construct a University in Choma". Lusaka Times. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Zambian Eye (24 April 2015). "Its unacceptable, the biggest market in Choma has no toilet – Aspiring MP". Lusaka: Zambianeye.com. Archived from the original (Archived from the original on 22 August 2016) on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Jimmy Chibuye (11 August 2018). "Mampi Finds Some Love". Zambia Daily Mail. Lusaka. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Robert Cumber (9 August 2012). "Young people volunteering overseas win praise from MP". London, United Kingdom: Getwestlondon.co.uk. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Megan Stacey (26 November 2013). "Megan's Unforgettable Zambian Experience". Rotherham, Yorkshire, United Kingdom: Rotherham Advertiser. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Chomba Musika (16 October 2014). "Choma Gets 24 Zambian/UK Youth Volunteers". Zambia Daily Mail. Lusaka. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Lucky Mwewa Chama (21 January 2019). "Opinion: Will The Eagles Continue To Soar High?". Lusaka: Zambianfootball.co.zm. Retrieved 30 May 2020.