Karatu, Karatu District

Karatu Kata ya Karatu (Swahili)
Ward and Capital of Karatu District
From top to bottom: Karatu scene, Coffee processing in Karatu & Lutheran Hospital Karatu
Nickname:  The safari junction
Karatu
Coordinates: 3°20′43.44″S 35°40′10.92″E
Country	Tanzania
Region	Arusha Region
District	Karatu District
Area
• Total	2.643 km2 (1.020 sq mi)
Elevation	1,420 m (4,660 ft)
Population  (2012)
• Total	26,617
Demonym	Karatuan
Ethnic groups
• Settler	Swahili
• Ancestral	Hadza, Datooga & Iraqw
Tanzanian Postal Code	23601

Karatu or Karatu Town (Kata na Mji wa Karatu in Swahili) is an administrative ward and district capital located in the Karatu District of the Arusha Region of Tanzania. The ward town is bordered on its north side by Ganako ward, to the east by Rhotia ward, to the south by Endamarariek ward, and to the west by Qurus ward. According to the 2012 census, the ward has a total population of 26,617. Karatu ward is the most populous ward in Karatu district and is the capital of Karatu District.

Economy

Karatu is a small town in the Arusha District, excellently positioned on the borders of Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, giving it the nickname 'Safari Junction'. It is frequently utilized as a quick stopover in between safari expeditions or as a less expensive lodging alternative than staying on the rim of the Crater and within Lake Manyara National Park.

The Karatu Market - On the 7th and 25th of each month, local sellers will gather in Karatu for a large market, giving you the opportunity to admire finely created things, purchase souvenirs, and practice your haggling abilities. The market on the 25th is a little smaller, but if none of these dates work for you, there is a daily small market in the town center.

Demographics

The Iraqw, a primarily Christian people, are the dominant tribe of Karatu. Their language is linguistically distinct because it originated in Ethiopia. They are farmers who gain from selling cultural artifacts such as pottery to tourists going to and from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Administration

The postal code for Karatu Ward is 23601. The ward is divided into the following neighborhoodss:

• Barazani
• Bomani
• Bwawani
• Kati
• Maliasili
• Mangafi
• Manyara
• mazingira Bira
• NMC
• Slahhamo
• TFA

Government

The ward, like every other ward in the country, has local government offices based on the population served. The Karatu Ward administration building houses a court as per the Ward Tribunal Act of 1988, including other vital departments for the administration the ward. The ward has the following administration offices:

• Karatu Ward Police Station located in Kati neighbirhood
• Karatu Ward Government Office (Afisa Mtendaji, Kata ya Karatu) in Kati Neighborhood
• Karatu Ward Tribunal (Baraza La Kata) is a Department inside Ward Government Office

In the local government system of Tanzania, the ward is the smallest democratic unit. Each ward is composed of a committee of eight elected council members which include a chairperson, one salaried officer (with no voting rights), and an executive officer. One-third of seats are reserved for women councillors.

Education and health

Education

The home to these educational institutions:

• Karatu Secondary School
• Karatu Teachers College
• Karatu Primary School
• Bwawani Primary School
• Karatu Boys High School

Healthcare

The ward is home to the following health institutions:

• Karatu Health Center