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The rise of expert systems: What is the truth behind knowledge bases?
Blantyre, located in southern Malawi, is the country's financial and commercial center and the second largest city, with a population of approximately 800,264 according to the 2018 census. Compared to the political capital Lilongwe, Blantyre is considered the commercial and industrial capital, and is also the capital of the southern region of the country and the Blantyre district.
History
Blantyre was founded in 1876, closely associated with the missionary work of the Church of Scotland. It is named after Blantyre in South Lancashire, Scotland, which is also the birthplace of explorer David Livingstone. The site was chosen by Henry Henderson, who gathered there on October 23, 1876 with Dr. T. T. Macklin and others. Dr. Macklin took over the leadership of the mission and began construction, but it was not until 1878, when Rev. Duff MacDonald, the first regular pastor, joined the mission that the work of the mission gradually took shape.
Blantyre's original missionaries faced local opposition for various reasons, and three of them were recalled.
In 1898, David Clement Scott took over the task. He was not only famous for the construction of St Michael and All Angels Church, but also revered for his "Mang'anja Encyclopedic Dictionary", which is the Mang'anja language and The main dictionary of its associated language Chichewa. The construction of this church relied entirely on the skills of local workers and did not require any European building skills.
Population and Culture
According to the 2018 survey, Lomwe are the largest ethnic group in the city, accounting for 39.59%. Ngoni are the largest minority group, accounting for 19.12%. Other minority groups include Yao (14.32%), Chewa (9.34%), Sena (5.74%), etc.
In terms of religion, the largest religious sect in Blantyre is Catholicism, accounting for 17.94% of the city's total population.
The culture here shows rich diversity, with various religions, mainly Christian churches, and a small number of Muslim mosques.
Geography and climate
Blantyre is located in the Shire Highlands region, the geographical center of southern Malawi, with a variety of transport links to the country and surrounding countries, such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The city's geology is composed of two main types of rock, pyroxene granulite gneiss and syenitic gneiss, which make the city's topography undulating and ultimately create significant natural drainage systems.
Blantyre's climate is classified as tropical, mainly divided into rainy and dry seasons, with an average annual rainfall of approximately 1,122 mm.
The city's average annual temperature is between 19°C and 26°C, with obvious seasonal changes, which has a profound impact on local agricultural production and economic activities.
Economic Development
Blantyre is the industrial center of Malawi, with major industries including footwear manufacturing, corn milling, brewing and tobacco manufacturing. The city has eight designated industrial zones, with Makata and Limbe being the main areas for heavy industry. In the city's industrial structure, manufacturing accounts for approximately 14% of GDP.
Blantyre not only serves as a domestic economic and financial hub, but also regularly hosts international trade shows to showcase Malawi's commercial and industrial strength.
The city's manufacturing sector has experienced growth challenges due to increased competition, particularly from South Africa and Zimbabwe, but Blantyre's informal economy has also shown potential to help absorb more labour.
Transportation and infrastructure
Blantyre has an important rail station connecting it to maritime ports in neighboring countries and other inland cities. In addition, Chileka International Airport, located approximately 14 kilometers from the city center, provides flights to South Africa and other African countries. The planned airport expansion further enhances the city's transportation options.
Education and Health
Blantyre City has a good education system, ranging from basic education to higher education institutions, and has many medical institutions operated by government and private institutions. Queen Elizabeth General Hospital is the country's largest referral hospital, providing specialized health services.
Blantyre is not only a center of business and culture, but also plays a key role in education and health resources. In the future, how will this beautiful city shape the prosperity and development of Malawi? Is it worth pondering?
