Mongu is the capital of Western Province in Zambia and was the capital of the formerly-named province and historic state of Barotseland. Its population is 179,585 (2010 census), and it is also the headquarters of Mongu District. Mongu is the home of the Litunga, King of the Lozi people (currently His Majesty Lubosi Imwiko III). History Mongu was once the capital of the Kingdom of Barotseland from British colonial rule until Zambia's unilateral independence in the Barotse Agreement in 1964. It is home to the Lozi people who migrated to the Barotse floodplains from the Luba Empire more than 500 years ago. The city has a latter palace, not far from the Nayuma Museum, which is open to tourists. Mongu is the home of the Litunga, King of the Luyi speaking people who are present day Lozis, and Lozi is the most widely spoken language in Mongu.The culture of the Lozi people is greatly influenced by the Royal Estabilshment. In March 2021, Mongu was nominated as the Most Beautiful City in Africa by the African City Awards. Provincial Administration Western Province like so many other provinces in Zambia such as Southern Province and North-Western Province is headed by a full cabinet Minister and there are Ministries of Central government for each province. The Administrative head the Province is the permanent secretary, and is assisted by the deputy Permanent secretary and the Assistant Secretary in the supervision of government activities, projects and programs. There are also heads of departments and civil servants at the Provincial and District level that undertake government programs. The Province is divided into sixteen (16) Administrative Districts, each headed by District Commissioner as head of the Central government. Mongu is the central hub of Western province. Geography Mongu is situated on a small blunt promontory of higher ground on the eastern edge of the 30-kilometre-wide Barotse Floodplain of the Zambezi River running north–south, which in the wet season floods right up to the town. The city is 15 kilometres from the river's main channel, to which its small harbour is connected in the dry season by a 35-kilometre route via a canal and a meandering channel. The whole region is flat and sandy, with the dry land generally no more than 50 m higher than the floodplain. Demographics Mongu is the home city of the Lozi (or Barotse) people, who speak a language derived in part from