Baraka, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Baraka
Town
Sweet potatoes saleswoman in Baraka Mwambangu
Sweet potatoes saleswoman in Baraka Mwambangu
Baraka is located in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Baraka
Baraka
Coordinates: 4°06′15″S 29°05′39″E / 4.104123°S 29.094035°E / -4.104123; 29.094035
CountryDemocratic Republic of the Congo
ProvinceSouth Kivu
TerritoryFizi Territory
Population
 (2014)
 • Total
120,000

Baraka, also known as Bala'a, is the main city and metropolitan center of the Fizi Territory located in the South Kivu Province in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Baraka is bordered by the Lweba River to the north, the Mutambala River to the south, Lake Tanganyika to the east, and the Lu'e River, Efuma Mountain, and Makundu Mountain to the west.[1][2]

Baraka was a small fishing village. In 1882, the village became the first administrative entity in Kivu to adopt an urban model.[1] On February 10, 2010, Baraka was granted city status by the national and provincial governments. The city has a population of approximately 120,000 residents as of 2014, with the majority being Swahili and Ebembe-speaking.[1][3] Other estimates give 90,000. The name of the city means "blessing" in Swahili.[4]

The city comprises four municipalities: Baraka Center, Katanga, Kalundja, and Kafulo-Malikya. Within its urban center, Mmoma, Maison Escale, and Ibase are densely populated districts that form part of the commercial and financial centers.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d Musengelwa, Séraphine Feza (2021). "Analyse des facteurs favorisant le mariage précoce dans le ville de Baraka, en RDC" (in French). Baraka, Fizi Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Institut Supérieur de Développement Rural de Fizi. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  2. ^ "Zone de Fizi : Général/Géographie physique du territoire de Fizi". mmbondo.tripod.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  3. ^ Michael, Chris (6 November 2014). "Missing Maps: what is Baraka ... and how can you help map it?". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  4. ^ Charles, Joseph (July 30, 2013). "Say It in English, Please!": World Language and Culture Paranoia. Bloomington, Indiana: AuthorHouse. p. 5. ISBN 9781481763899.