Wete[1] is a town located on the Tanzanian island of Pemba. It is the capital of Pemba North Region, as well as the administrative seat for Wete District. It lies on the west side of the north part of the island. The town has a population of 35,951 (2022 census).[2]
To the southwest of Wete Harbour, about a kilometre away, is the small island of Matambwe, site of Swahili ruins of a medieval town called Mtambwe Kuu.[3]
The harbor at Wete was a major port-of-entry for Pemba;[4] however, in recent years it has been mostly superseded by Mkoani.[5]
Climate
Wete has a tropical climate, milder than Tanzania's mainland or Unguja island. This climate is classified as a tropical monsoon climate (Am) by the Köppen system. The average temperature in Wete is 25.5 °C or 77.9 °F. The average annual rainfall is 1,714 millimetres or 67 inches. The monthly average temperatures are usually between 23.6 and 27.2 °C (74.5 and 81.0 °F). There are two rainy seasons, with most rainfall coming between March and June and smaller rain season occurring between November and December. Drier months are January and February, plus a longer drier season between July and October.