Chipata

Chipata, formerly Fort Jameson, town, southeastern Zambia, near the Malawi frontier. It is an upland town, approximately 3,600 feet (1,100 metres) above sea level.

Tobacco is the major local cash crop. Peanuts (groundnuts) are processed into oil products, and cotton, corn (maize), and wheat are also grown. Formerly an administrative centre of the British South Africa Company, it was the capital of Northeastern Rhodesia (1901–10). Chipata has been a Roman Catholic episcopal see since 1959. Pop. (2000) 73,110; (2010 prelim.) 95,000.