Nguu Mountains
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| Nguu Mountains | |
|---|---|
| Milima ya Nguu (Swahili) | |
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,550 m (5,090 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Country |  Tanzania |
| Region | Tanga Region |
| District | Kilindi District |
| Range coordinates | 06°10′S 37°30′E / 6.167°S 37.500°E |
| Parent range | Eastern Arc Mountains |
The Nguu Mountains also known as Nguru Mountains or Ngulu Mountains (Milima ya Nguu in Swahili) are a mountain range in eastern Tanzania. The mountains are administratively located in the Tanga Region, specifically in the Kilindi District. The mountains are named for the Ngulu people. The Nguu Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. The mountains are covered in woodland, grassland, and forest.[1]
The Nguu Mountains are a dissected range covering area of 1591 km2.[2] The highest elevation is 1550 meters.[3] The range lies in the watershed of the Wami River and its tributaries. The Nguru Mountains lie to the south, across an expanse of hilly country. The Maasai Steppe lies to the north and west.
Climate
The Nguru mountains intercept moisture-laden winds from the Indian Ocean, which provide most of the rainfall in the mountains. Most of the rainfall occurs in the November-to-May wet season, although mist and light rain occur at higher elevations during the dry season months. Rainfall is higher on the southern and eastern slopes, and lower in the mountains' rain shadow to the north and west. Temperatures are cooler and rainfall is higher at higher elevations.[4]
Geology
The Nguu Mountains, along with the others in the Eastern Arc, are made up of ancient crystalline Precambrian rocks that were uplifted over millions of years along fault lines. The most recent period of uplift started 30 million years ago, but the fault system and uplift process may be far older. Soils derived from these ancient rocks are not as fertile as the younger volcanic soils of mountains to the north and west.[5]