Bariadi

Bariadi is a Tanzanian town and regional capital of Simiyu Region, and the is also administrative seat of Bariadi District. Bariadi also refers to Bariadi Ward, another administrative unit in the district.

Location
Bariadi is located in Bariadi Ward, Bariadi District, Simiyu Region, in Tanzania. The town is approximately 144 km east of Mwanza, the nearest large city. Musoma, another large city, is located approximately 166 km north of Bariadi.

The geographical coordinates of Bariadi are:02°47'31.0"S, 33°59'22.0"E (Latitude:-2.791944; Longitude:33.989444). The town sits at an average elevation of 1272 m above mean sea level.

Overview
Bariadi was elevated to Town Council Status in 2012. Bariadi Town Council covers an area measuring 876.71 km2. It comprises ten wards; Bariadi, Somanda, Sima, Malambo, Nyangokolwa, Guduwi, Nyakabindi and Bunahmala.

According to the satellite map of the town, Bariadi as several primary and secondary schools, several churches of various religious denominations, a number of restaurants and branches of two of Tanzania's largest banks; CRDB Bank and National Microfinance Bank.

Population
The population of Bariadi Town Council, as constituted in 2012, comprising 10 wards, was 155,620 of whom 81,772 (52.55 percent) were female and 73,848 (47.45 percent) were male, with an annual population growth rate of 2.048 percent. The average family size was 6.4 people, according to the 2012 national population census.

Climate
The town has two seasons; (a) a rainy season that begins around mid-October and stretches until mid-May, with a dry spell in January, and (b) a dry season that begins in mid-May and lasts until mid-October. Annual total rainfall averages between 600 mm and 900 mm.

Transport
The paved 368 km Isebania–Shinyanga Road, passes through the town, in a general north to south direction.