Mutare

Mutare (known as Umtali until 1982) is the fourth largest city in Zimbabwe, with a population of approximately 200,000, located at 18°58′S 32°38′E. Founded in 1897 as a fort, it is located in the province of Manicaland 8 km from the border with Mozambique, and is just 290 km. from the port of Mozambican Beira, earning Mutare the title of "Zimbabwe's Gateway to the Sea".

The area was the site of Chief Mutasa's kraal. In 1890 A.R. Coquhoun was given concessionary rights and Fort Umtali (the fort later became Mutare) was established between the Tsambe and Mutare Rivers. The word mutare means "a piece of metal". The name was probably given to the river as a result of gold being discovered in the Penhalonga valley through which the Mutare River runs. In 1891 the location was moved to a site now known as Old Mutare, about 14km north of the city centre. In 1896 the construction of the railway between Beira and Bulawayo led to the town being moved a third time so that it was closer to the railway line - compensation was paid by the British South Africa Company to the townspeople for the cost of moving. The town was proclaimed a municipality in 1914 and in 1971 it was granted city status. The name was officially changed from Umtali to Mutare in 1982.

The population is predominantly Shona. The main activities of the area are citrus farming, mining, agriculture and cattle ranching. Two of the largest food producers in Zimbabwe, Cairns Foods and Tanganda Tea, have their headquarters in Mutare. Mutare is serviced by rail with daily passenger and freight links to the towns of Nyazura, Rusape and Harare. According to the 1982 Population Census, the city had a population of 69,621.

Over the past few years the city has suffered tremendously as a result of the AIDS epidemic and a high poverty rate.