United Republic
of Tanzania
General
The United
Republic of Tanzania lies on the Indian Ocean bordered by Kenya,
Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The capital city and also a major
port, Dar es Salaam is the natural starting point for trips in
Tanzania. It is near Mount Kilimanjaro, Dodoma and the nearby
island of Zanzibar.
Many beautiful beaches are within easy reach of Dar es Salaam,
such as those at Kunduchi, Mjimwena and Mbwa Maji. Kunduchi,
24km (15 miles) north of the city, is a fishing village with
nearby ruins of Persian tombs and mosques. The beautiful island
of Zanzibar is only 20 minutes’ flight from Dar es Salaam.
Mount
Kilimanjaro, at 5895m (19,341ft), Africa’s highest mountain is a
major attraction for mountaineers. The ascent takes about three
days. Tanzania’s national parks extend over some 33,660 sq km
(13,000 sq miles). The Serengeti National Park is a
plain-dwellers’ stronghold of 14,763 sq km (5678 sq miles),
claimed to be the finest in Africa. Here are 35 species of
plain-dwelling animals, including wildebeest and zebra, and also
an extensive selection of birdlife. The Selous Game Reserve is
larger than Switzerland and covers one-sixth of Tanzania’s land
surface. Generally, the nightlife centres are in the top tourist
hotels and restaurants.
Geography
The United Republic of Tanzania lies on the east coast of Africa
and is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; by Burundi,
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west; by the
Indian Ocean to the east; and by Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique
to the south. The Tanzanian mainland is divided into several
clearly defined regions: the coastal plains, which vary in width
from 16 to 64km (10 to 39 miles) and have lush, tropical
vegetation; the Masai Steppe in the north, 213 to 1067m (698 to
3500ft) above sea level; and a high plateau in the southern area
towards Zambia and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi).
Savannah and bush
cover over half the country, and semi-desert accounts for the
remaining land area, with the exception of the coastal plains.
Over 53,000 sq km (20,463 sq miles) is inland water, mostly
lakes formed in the Rift Valley. The United Republic of Tanzania
includes the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, about 45km (28
miles) off the coast to the northeast of the country.
Tanzania is a country of stunning beauty, a kaleidoscope of
landscape, wildlife and people.
With an area of 362,820 sq.km,
it is half the size of Western Europe and East Africa's largest
nation. Situated just below the equator, it is bordered by
shimmering blue lakes and the Indian ocean. Its landscape varies
from green tropical coastline, the beige semi desert of
the central plateau to the eternal snow of the Northern
Mountains- Kilimanjaro the highest snow capped Mt. in Africa
termed "the roof of Africa".
It
possesses the largest and best game reserves and national parks
in the world.
Its in this country where modern man has
originated, and possesses mosaic of people. In its history it
has become a fruitful meeting point of African, Arabs, Asian, of
European cultures Kiswahili the lingua franca of East Africa,
was born here. Today Tanzania is a land of great contrasts. The
country embraces the green islands of Pemba,
Zanzibar and
Mafia.
