🇹🇿 Tanzania – The Heart of East Africa
Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse ecosystems, and iconic landmarks. Formed in 1964 through the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, Tanzania boasts a harmonious blend of over 130 ethnic groups, making it one of the most culturally diverse nations in Africa.
🗺️ Geography and Natural Wonders
Spanning approximately 947,300 square kilometers, Tanzania is bordered by eight countries and the Indian Ocean. It encompasses a variety of landscapes, including:
- Mount Kilimanjaro: Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 meters, attracting trekkers worldwide.
- Serengeti National Park: Famed for the Great Migration and abundant wildlife.
- Ngorongoro Crater: A UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with diverse fauna.
- Zanzibar Archipelago: Pristine beaches and rich Swahili culture.
🌿 Biodiversity and Conservation
Tanzania is home to 16 national parks and numerous game reserves, covering about 38% of its land area. These protected areas harbor a plethora of species, including the Big Five, cheetahs, giraffes, and endemic plants. Conservation efforts are pivotal to preserving this biodiversity.
🏛️ Culture and Society
The nation’s cultural tapestry is woven from its various ethnic groups, each with unique traditions, languages, and art forms. Swahili and English are the official languages, facilitating unity and communication. Festivals, music, and dance play integral roles in Tanzanian society, reflecting its rich heritage.
💰 Economy and Development
Agriculture is the backbone of Tanzania’s economy, employing a significant portion of the population and contributing to GDP. Key exports include coffee, tea, and cashew nuts. The country is also rich in natural resources like gold, diamonds, and natural gas. Tourism, driven by its natural attractions, is a growing sector.
🌐 Learn More
Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Uganda to the northwest; Kenya to the northeast; the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to the south; Zambia to the southwest; and Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. According to the 2022 national census, Tanzania has a population of around 62 million, making it the most populous country located entirely south of the equator.
United Republic of Tanzania Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania (Swahili) | |
|---|---|
| Motto: "Uhuru na Umoja" "Freedom and Unity" | |
| Anthem: "Mungu ibariki Afrika" "God bless Africa" | |
.svg)  | |
| Capital | Dodoma 6°10′S 35°44′E / 6.167°S 35.733°E |
| Largest city | Dar es Salaam 06°48′S 39°16′E / 6.800°S 39.267°E |
| Official languages | |
| Other languages | Over 100 languages, including (1m+): |
| Religion (2020) |
|
| Demonym(s) | Tanzanian |
| Government | Unitary dominant-party presidential republic |
| Samia Suluhu Hassan | |
| Philip Mpango | |
| Kassim Majaliwa | |
• Speaker | Tulia Ackson |
| Ibrahim Hamis Juma | |
| Legislature | National Assembly |
| Independence from the United Kingdom | |
| 9 December 1961 | |
• Zanzibar | 10 December 1963 |
• Unification of Tanganyika and Zanzibar | 26 April 1964 |
• Current constitution | 25 April 1977 |
| Area | |
• Total | 947,303 km2 (365,756 sq mi) (30th) |
• Water (%) | 6.4 |
| Population | |
• 2024 estimate | 67,462,121 (23rd) |
• 2022 census |  61,741,120 |
• Density | 65.2/km2 (168.9/sq mi) (147th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate |
• Total |  $269.67 billion (68th) |
• Per capita | $4,130 (161st) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2024 estimate |
• Total |  $83.276 billion (82nd) |
• Per capita | $1,234 (166th) |
| Gini (2017) |  40.5medium inequality |
| HDI (2023) | 0.555 medium (165th) |
| Currency | Tanzanian shilling (TZS) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (East Africa Time) |
| Calling code | +255 |
| ISO 3166 code | TZ |
| Internet TLD | .tz |
Many important hominid fossils have been found in Tanzania. In the Stone and Bronze Age, prehistoric migrations into Tanzania included Southern Cushitic speakers similar to modern day Iraqw people who moved south from present-day Ethiopia; Eastern Cushitic people who moved into Tanzania from north of Lake Turkana about 2,000 and 4,000 years ago; and the Southern Nilotes, including the Datoog, who originated from the present-day South Sudan–Ethiopia border region between 2,900 and 2,400 years ago. These movements took place at about the same time as the settlement of the Mashariki Bantu from West Africa in the Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika areas. In the late 19th century, the mainland came under German rule as German East Africa, and this was followed by British rule after World War I when it was governed as Tanganyika, with the Zanzibar Archipelago remaining a separate colonial jurisdiction. Following their respective independence in 1961 and 1963, the two entities merged in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Tanganyika joined the British Commonwealth and Tanzania remains a member of the Commonwealth as a unified republic.
Today, the country is a presidential constitutional republic with the federal capital located in Government City (Dodoma); the former capital, Dar es Salaam, retains most government offices and is the country's largest city, principal port, and leading commercial centre. Tanzania is a de facto one-party state with the democratic socialist Chama Cha Mapinduzi party in power. The country has not experienced major internal strife since independence and is seen as one of the safest and most politically stable on the continent. Tanzania's population comprises about 120 ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. Christianity is the largest religion in Tanzania, with substantial Muslim and Animist minorities. Over 100 languages are spoken in Tanzania, making it the most linguistically diverse country in East Africa; the country does not have a de jure official language, although the national language is Swahili. English is used in foreign trade, in diplomacy, in higher courts, and as a medium of instruction in secondary and higher education, while Arabic is spoken in Zanzibar.
Tanzania is mountainous and densely forested in the north-east, where Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world, is located. Three of the African Great Lakes are partly within Tanzania. To the north and west lie Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake, and Lake Tanganyika, the continent's deepest lake, known for its unique species of fish. To the south lies Lake Malawi. The eastern shore is hot and humid, with the Zanzibar Archipelago just offshore. The Menai Bay Conservation Area is Zanzibar's largest marine protected area. The Kalambo Falls, located on the Kalambo River at the Zambian border, is the second-highest uninterrupted waterfall in Africa. Tanzania is one of the most visited tourist destinations for safaris.