Location
The Niassa is the largest province of Mozambique (129 000 km2), which is along Lake Niassa and the border with Tanzania. Its altitude ranges from 500 m above sea level to the high plateau of Lichinga, 1300 m above sea level. Most of the plains and mountains / undulating still covered in indigenous subtropical forest. The provincial capital and commercial center is Lichinga is Cuamba. Cuamba is located along the major road corridor to the port of Nacala to Malawi. With about 1 million inhabitants, has a population density of 6 persons per km2.
Temperature
Limits of temperature in Cuamba (500 m alt.).
Cuamba has an average annual temperature of 24oC in the lowlands hot. In colder months, in June, the temperature can drop to 11oC at night and reach a maximum of 28c during the day. In the warmer months of the year, October and November, the average daily maximum temperature can reach 35oC and the lowest temperature at night is around 20oC.
Limits of temperature in Lichinga (high plateau 1300 m alt.)
The provincial capital, Lichinga, has an average annual temperature of 19oC in the high plateau. In July, the lowest average temperature at night is 9oC and higher during the day of 22oC. In October, the hottest months of the year, the lowest average temperature during the night and the temperature is 15c higher average day and 28c. Even during the coldest nights of the year no frost.
Precipitation and growth period
The average of the rainy season actually available on the high plateau and surrounding areas varies from 18 to 21 weeks. The southern and central regions of the province have a rainy season from 13 to 18 weeks. The rainy season begins in December and ends in April. In the high plateau and along the shores of Lake Niassa you can expect an average rainfall of 1300 mm. In more arid areas in southern Niassa near Cuamba is a normal rainfall of between 800 to 1000 mm. Due to extension of period of medium rain actually available, the amount of precipitation and temperature limits, you can expect a growth period from 180 to 210 days for crops dependent on rain. The growing season begins in November and without irrigation can only be a period of growth per year.