The largest urban area in Malawi, the conurbation of Blantyre-Limbe, is the country's commercial capital. Now with a population in excess of half a million, this settlement has its origins with the Scottish missionaries from the time of David Livingstone. (It is named after Livingstone's birthplace in Scotland.) Today it is unquestionably the centre of Malawi's industry and commerce. Strictly two towns, Limbe and Blantyre form a continuous urban area yet retain their individualities and separate cores. Blantyre has the status and much of the administrative functions but Limbe is the more industrial.