Mbarali Cluster comprises of Mbeya and Songwe Regions, located in the country’s southwest. According to the 2012 national census, Mbeya region had a population of 2,707,410 with a 2.7 percent average annual population growth rate. Songwe Region with a population of 998,862 was created from the western part of Mbeya Region, and it includes districts of Ileje, Mbozi and Momba. Mbarali Cluster covers an area of 62,420 square kilometres (24,100 sq mi).