Tanzania gained independence in 1964 and although very similar to Kenya has not benefited from the same growth and popularity. However, in real terms Tanzania’s highlights equal if not surpass Kenya’s. These include the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Kilimanjaro, all within striking distance of Nairobi.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Area: 945,166 sq. km (13th in Africa)
Capital: Dodoma displaced Dar es Salaam as the official capital
Largest towns: Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Tanga, Arusha, Mbeya, Zanzibar, and Iringa
Population: 37 million
Official language: KiSwahili and English
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling
Head of state: President Benjamin Mkapa
Life expectancy: 45 years
Literacy: 78%
Per Capita Income: US$120
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Zanzibar. Serengeti National Park. Ngorongoro Crater. Mt Kilimanjaro.
MAIN INCOME
Tourism. Agriculture.
MAJOR CULTURES
European. Bantu. Asian.
RELIGIONS
Christian, ZCC and Muslim.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Country is dominated by a vast, dry and thinly populated plateau which rises to an altitude of between 1000m and 1500m to the West of the moister and hotter coastal belt, and is bisected by the eastern arm of the Great Rift Valley. Africa’s highest (Kilimanjaro – 5985m) and fifth highest (Meru – 4565m) mountains. Also within Tanzania are portions of Africa’s three largest bodies of water – Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika and Malawi. Rainy season between November and April – also the hottest time of
the year. At the coast and northern Tanzania the rains are split into short rains (November and December) and long rains (March to May).
HISTORY
Came under German rule in the scramble for Africa – Tanganyika.
Zanzibar became the capital of the Sultan of Oman – used for slave trading.
At the end of WW1, Tanzania came under British mandate.
In 1961 – Tanzania attained full independence under TANU with Mwalimu Julius Nyerere at the helm.
In 1963, Zanzibar gained full independence and joined Tanganyika as a federal state.
In 1964 – Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to form Tanzania.
Nyerere succeeded after retirement by Ali Hassan Mwinyi under which Tanzania moved away from socialism.
First multi-party election in 1995 won by the CCM (former TANU) under Benjamin Mkapa.
CRIME AND SAFETY
Pretty safe country. Dangerous in big towns like Dar.
MONEY
Possible but difficult to get money off cc from bank – not advisable.
Banking – 08:30 to 12:30on weekdays, and 08:30 to 11:30 on Sat.
Some forex open till 15:00/16:00.
POST AND TELEPHONE
Post is cheap and relatively reliable. International phone service is bad
