Mfangano Island
Mfangano | ||
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Mfangano satellite image | ||
Waters | Lake Victoria | |
Geographical location | 0 ° 28 ′ S , 34 ° 1 ′ E | |
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length | 13.9 km | |
width | 8.2 km | |
surface | 65 km² | |
Highest elevation | Mount Kwitutu 1694 m |
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Residents | 16,282 (1999) 250 inhabitants / km² |
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main place | Sena |
Mfangano Island is a Kenyan island at the mouth of the Winam Gulf in the eastern part of Lake Victoria . The 65 km² large island, which lies west of Rusinga Island , reaches a maximum height of 1694 m at the summit of Mount Kwitutu. 16,282 people live on Mfangano, part of Homa Bay Country (1999 census). The name of the island comes from the Suba word okuwangana , which means something like place where people come together .
The island is home to the largest group of Olosuba or Suba speaking people in Kenya. Luo, Swahili and English are also spoken on the island . Most of the residents, such as the Luo, are fishermen. There are several schools and a polytechnic college on the island. A major problem is HIV , which affects around 30% of the population.
The supply of electricity on the island was ensured by generators with the help of the government, especially for the preservation of fish. A circular road has existed since 2007, which was also built with the help of the government. A small field airfield is mainly used by aid organizations and tourists. These visit, among other things, sacred sites of the local ethnic groups or ancient rock paintings created by hunters and gatherers .
Web links
- The Mfangano-Rusinga Island Complex. On: whc.unesco.org of February 12, 2010
- Article about the people on Mfangano (English)
- Construction of a new power plant (English)
- Early Paintings on Mfangano (English)