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Located in the southern highlands of Tanzania,
near the country’s legislative capital of Dodoma and the
agricultural centre of Morogoro, Iringa is a pleasant small
town and a focus of regional agriculture and production. Its streets are
quiet and peaceful, and the market offers a colourful scene of traditional
African culture. Iringa overlooks the Little Ruaha River and is a popular
stopping point for visitors to
Ruaha National Park.
Historically, Iringa was a centre of colonial administration. During German
occupation, the German military constructed the town as a fortified defence
against marauding Hehe tribal warriors intent on driving them out of the
region. Gangilonga Rock, a site just outside of the town, is a legendary
spot where the Hehe chief at that time, Chief Mkwawa, met with his people
and decided how to fight the Germans. Iringa was also the site of several
battles during the First and Second World Wars, and Commonwealth War Graves
are located just outside of town. |
TANZANIA