Great Services Unlimited Adventure

Tanzania

Tanzania is one of the unique destinations of the African continent that has yet to be discovered by many. It is a land of many wonders boasting an unparalleled diversity of fauna and flora. Kilimanjaro, the highest, permanently snow-capped, free-standing mountain in Africa, the exotic Islands of Zanzibar, the finest game sanctuaries of Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha, Selous and the Marine Park of Mafia Island are but a few of the living examples. The scenery and topography of the country, including its very friendly people, harbours excellent cultural beach holidays and historical and archaeological ventures—plus the best wildlife safaris on the continent.

Geography
United Republic of Tanzania (URT) lies south of the Equator, a country just over half the size of Western Europe. It is a modern and progressive state endowed with stability, a rich history, and natural resources. The country is located on the eastern side of the African continent. Washed by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania enjoys good relations with nine neighbouring states: the Republics of Kenya and Uganda to the north; Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west and by Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the South. Tanzania is situated on the East African seaboard between longitudes 29o and 40o East and latitudes 1o and 11o South. For most of these states, Tanzania is a unique gateway to the world; Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mtwara are the country's marine ports. The United Republic was born out of the union of the Islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Tanganyika. This union took place on April 26th,1964. Marked by Lake Victoria to the north, Lake Tanganyika to the West and Lake Nyasa to the South, the United Republic of Tanzania is surely a country of lakes! It has an area of 945,200 sq. km. While it is of same size as Germany and France combined, it is larger than the state of California doubled and it is the seventh largest country in Africa. The coastline, quite short compared with that of Great Britain, is only 800 km long.

People and History
Tanzania has a population of 34,443,603 million (2002) out of which 33,461,849 million are inhabitants of the mainland, while 981,734 million are living in Zanzibar.

Scientists know that instability of the earth’s crust during primeval time split East Africa from mainland Africa at the great Rift valley. One of the sites within this valley—the Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli—may have been the cradle of humankind. Here, the footprints and skull of an early ape-like creature were discovered by the Leakeys in 1959 and 1979. It appears that the area was home to the homo habilis and homo sapiens. Important artefacts and bones tracing these origins have been estimated at 1.75 million years old. Similar artefacts have been found through excavation of historical sites at Isimila, in the Southern Highlands, where old stone-age tools, commonly referred to as hand-axes, can be seen today. The Kondoa-Irangi cave paintings and the Engaruka traces of blacksmith and irrigation works are further evidences of early human presence in Tanzania during the distant past.

Tanzania Today
Dodoma population of almost 1,698,996 (2002 est.)  is located 309 km west of Dar es Salaam, and is the country's political capital. Dar es Salaam is the country's commercial capital. Other big urban centres include Arusha, Moshi, Tanga and Mwanza to the north of the country; Morogoro in the east; Mbeya and Iringa, to the west. Tabora and Shinyanga are also important economic hubs in central Tanzania. The Spice island of Zanzibar lies off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. It is famous for once being the commercial centre of East Africa and the last place to abolish the slave trade. Today it combines ancient Islamic ruins, noble Arabic houses, and miles of white, sandy, palm fringed beaches and cloves. The ocean offers warm clear blue waters, idyllic islands, excellent reefs for snorkelling and diving, fantastic deep-sea fishing, water sports and, of course, delicious fresh fish. And if you thought that wasn't enough, visiting the Spice plantations (cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom and others) or haggling for carvings in the Central Market is great fun too. Kiswahili and English are the Official languages in Tanzania, however the former is the national language. While Kiswahili is the medium of instructions at primary school level, English is used at higher educational levels.

Parks and Reservations
With a charming and spectacular landscape, Tanzania is the biggest country in East Africa. Its regions fall into three categories: the Islands and the coastal plains to the east, the inland saucer-shaped plateau, and the highlands. Parks cover the entire country. Kilimanjaro National Park features the great ice-capped Equatorial mountain, the Kilimanjaro. The mountain invites mountain climbers to conquer its peak, which scrapes the sky at almost 6km high. Arusha National Park offers volcanic features and lakes. There are flamingoes and buffalo, mountain vegetation, and general scenic views of the magnificent Mount Meru. Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, though relatively smaller parks located southwest of Arusha town, offer plenty to see. There are buffaloes, big elephants, wart hogs, baboons, zebra, and tree-climbing lions. There are also more than 380 species of birds, including the world’s largest bird, the ostrich, and the Kori bustard, the heaviest bird that can fly. In addition, there are hot springs, as well as the rising escarpment of the Tanzania Great Rift Valley. Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) (828km2), 18km across, is one of the wonders of the world! You will be attracted by its mountains, its drifting sand dunes, its diverse wildlife, and the Maasai people. The conservation Area (NCA) was declared a World Heritage Site in 1978 and Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1981. To the northwest of NCA, spreads the Serengeti (endless plain) National Park (14,763 square km). With over 3 million large animals involved in seasonal migration, the Serengeti is unparalleled in the world. In the south of Tanzania, lies Selous Game Reserve, a great wild reserve with available Black Rhinos and, second only to Serengeti in wildlife concentration. The park holds elephants, buffalo, and crocodiles and hippos in rivers; baobab trees dominate the area. Other National Parks include Mahale (the haven of the Chimpanzees and baboons); Mikumi, Mkomazi, Rubondo, Katavi and Juvenile Udzungwa, rich in plant diversity and in Colobuses. Going around and across Tanzania, one finds endless interesting sights. The remains from the oriental architecture found along the coast and Zanzibar, the coral reefs such as those in the Wambe Shando and Mwamba Wamba area; the sulphur springs in Tanga, the Mbozi meteorite remains. The National Museum and other heritage sites also offer interesting good sites to visit.

Weather
Though usually dry and hot in the central plateau, hot and humid in the coastal areas, and cool and moist in the highlands, Tanzania has a tropical type of climate. In the highlands, temperatures range between 10°C and 20°C in cold and hot seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures never falling lower than 20oC. The hottest period falls between November and February (25°C - 31°C) while the coldest period occurs between May and August (15° - 20°C). The short rains are received from October to December while the long ones from March to May each year. Had it been not because of altitude, almost 2/3 of Tanzania would have been under Equatorial climate!

Biodiversity
The country's weather is marked by both erratic and unreliable rainfalls, which range between 300mm and 3000mm in a year. Most of Tanzania receives rains of 800mm annually. The country is one of the most endowed ecosystems in the world in respect of diversity of species, ranked 4th out of the 48 countries in the Afro-topical Realm. For birds, it is ranked 3rd,and for plants it ranks among the 12 countries on earth which are richest in biodiversity. For example, Lake Tanganyika accommodates over 500 species of endemic animals to the area. The government has committed more than 28% of its land for conservation, National Parks or game reserves. Arusha National Park offers volcanic features and lakes. There are flamingoes and buffalo, mountain vegetation, and general scenic views of the magnificent Mount Meru.

Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique

Area-comparative: slightly larger than twice the size of California

Coastline: 1,424 km

Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands

Terrain: plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south

Natural resources: hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel

Geography—note: Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa

Population: 34,443,603 (2002 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Tanzanian(s)
adjective: Tanzanian

Ethnic groups: mainland—native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar—Arab, native African, mixed Arab and native African

Religions: mainland—Christian 45%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 20; Zanzibar—more than 99% Muslim

Languages: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages
note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources, including Arabic and English, and it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages

Country name: conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania
conventional short form: Tanzania
former: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar

Government type: republic

Capital: Dodoma
note: some government offices are based in Dar es Salaam but some offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital; the National Assembly now meets there on regular basis

National Holiday: Union Day, 26 April (1964)

Constitution: 25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984

Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador 
chancery: 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 518-6647
FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador
embassy: Msasani
mailing address: P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam
telephone: [255] (51) 666010 through 666015
FAX: [255] (51) 666701

Flag description: divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue

Economy—overview: Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts for 56% of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 90% of the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry accounts for 15% of GDP and is mainly limited to processing agricultural products and light consumer goods. The economic recovery program announced in mid-1986 has generated notable increases in agricultural production and financial support for the program by bilateral donors. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's deteriorated economic infrastructure. Growth in 1991-98 has featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Natural gas exploration in the Rufiji Delta looks promising and production could start by 2002. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private sector growth and investment. Short-term economic progress also depends on curbing corruption.

Labour force—by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 10% (1995 est.)

Industries: primarily agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine), diamond and gold mining, oil refining, shoes, cement, textiles, wood products, fertilizer, salt

Agriculture—products: coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves (Zanzibar), corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats

Exports—commodities: coffee, manufactured goods, cotton, cashew nuts, minerals, tobacco, sisal (1996)

Imports—commodities: consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial raw materials, crude oil

Currency: 1 Tanzanian shilling (TSh) = 100 cents

Telephone system: fair system operating below capacity
domestic: open wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter
international: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Railways:
total: 3,569 km (1995)
narrow gauge: 2,600 km 1.000-m gauge; 969 km 1.067-m gauge
note: the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), which operates 1,860 km of 1.067-m narrow gauge track between Dar es Salaam and Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia (of which 969 km are in Tanzania and 891 km are in Zambia) is not a part of Tanzania Railways Corporation; because of the difference in gauge, this system does not connect to Tanzania Railways

Highways:
total: 88,200 km
paved: 3,704 km
unpaved: 84,496 km (1996 est.)

Waterways: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa and  Indian ocean

Ports and harbours: Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Kilwa Masoko, Lindi, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pangani, Tanga, Wete, Zanzibar

Airports: 129 (1998 est.)

Military branches: Tanzanian People's Defence Force or TPDF (includes Army, Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary Police Field Force Unit, Militia