Tanzania - Country Profile
The United Republic of Tanzania is located
in Eastern Africa. It is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the North,
Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the West and
Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the South. The country’s eastern border
lies in the Indian Ocean which has a coastline of 1,424 km.
Map of Tanzania
Tanzania National Emblem
Tanzania Flag
Zanzibar is a part of the United Republic of Tanzania and consists of two main islands of Unguja and Pemba and a number of small islands. The Islands are located 40 km off the mainland coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean. The two main islands are 40 kilometers apart, separated by 700 meters deep Pemba Channel.
Area and Population
Tanzania has a total area is 945,087 sq.km including 61,000 sq. km of inland water. The total surface area of Zanzibar is 2,654 sq.km. Unguja, the larger of the two islands has an area of 1,666 sq.km, while Pemba has an area of 988 sq.km.
In 2005 the population of Tanzania stood at 36.2 million, growing at annual rate of 2.9%. The population is estimated to reach 41 million by the end of 2009.
Climate
Tanzania has a tropical type of climate and is divided into four main climatic zones notably: the hot humid coastal plain; the semi-arid zone of the central plateau; the high-moist lake regions; and the temperate highland areas. In the highlands, temperatures range between 10ºc and 20ºc during cold and hot seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures usually not falling lower than 20ºc. The hottest period spreads between November and February (25ºc - 31ºc) whereas the coldest period is often between May and August (15ºc - 20ºc).
The climate of the islands of Zanzibar is tropical and humid. Average maximum temperature is about 30۫۫۫۫ºC recorded during the hot season November to March, while average minimum temperature is 21ºC, recorded during the cool season of June to October. Humidity rate is high ranging from 50’s to 80’s and slightly higher in Pemba than Unguja.
The Capital City
The official capital of Tanzania is Dodoma, which is located 309 km west of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam is the country’s commercial capital and is also the major seaport for the county’s serving its landlocked neighbors. Other big urban centres include Arusha, Moshi, Tanga, Mwanza, Morogoro, Mbeya, Iringa, Tabora, Kigoma, Shinyanga and Zanzibar.
Administrative Regions and Districts
The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania is composed of 26 administrative regions; 21 regions on the mainland and 5 in Zanzibar. Tanzania’s regions are Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Manyara, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro and Mtwara Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North and Zanzibar Urban/West.
Tanzania also has 98 districts each with at least one council created to increase local authority. Currently there are 114 councils operating in 99 districts; 22 are urban 92 are rural.
Culture
Tanzania has been described as one of the most diverse countries in Africa and this is reflected in the fact that there are more than 120 local languages spoken in the country. Swahili is the national language that is widely spoken while English is the official language of education; administration and business.
Local people are native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 120 tribes) and the remaining 1% consisting of Asians, Europeans, and Arabs.
Most of the population belongs to Christianity and Muslim religions though there is a small number of Hindus and atheists.
Generally, Tanzania culture is a product of African, Arab, European and Indian influences. Traditional African values are being consciously adapted to modern life, although at a much slower pace among the Maasai.
Politics
Since independence, Tanzania has been ruled by 4 Presidents, namely; the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere (1961-1985), H.E. Al Haj Ali Hassan Mwinyi (1985 – 1995); H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa (1995 – 2005). The current President of the United Republic of Tanzania is H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (2005 to date).
The United Republic of Tanzania is a Democratic Republic. The Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania guarantees political pluralism. Currently there are about eighteen (18) registered political parties. (http://www.nec.go.tz)
Since 1992, when the Multi-Party Political System was introduced in Tanzania, there have been three successful Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The first such election was conducted in 1995, followed by the 2000, and the 2005 elections.
Economy
Tanzania is a developing country and its economy depends heavily on agriculture. The sector accounts for more than 40% of GDP, provides 85% of the country’s exports and employs 80% of the total workforce. Apart from the agricultural sector, tourism, mining and small scale industries are increasingly contributing to the national economic growth.
Currency
The Tanzanian shilling (Tsh.) is divided into 100 cents. Notes are in denomination of 500, 1000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 shillings. Coins are in order of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 shillings. Money can be changed in banks, Bureau de Change and other accredited points such as hotels. Credit cards (Access, Master Card, Visa, American Express, Euro Card and Diners) are accepted by major hotels around the country. Travelers’ cheques in US dollars and Pound Sterling are recommended, although Euros are also accepted. Banking hours in major towns are from Monday to Friday (08.30 - 16.00 hrs), Saturday from 08.30 hrs - 13.30 hrs and are closed on Sundays. These may vary in smaller towns. ATM Machines are available in branches of major banks and accept most VISA cards.
For further details about Tanzania, please visit:
http://www.tanzania.go.tz/
Tanzania History
Tanzania’s history is as old as the
history of mankind. Since the discovery of the remains and footprints of
what is believed to be the nearest kin to mankind- homo habilis
(Zinjanthropus) and homo sapiens - in 1959 and 1979 in the Olduvai Gorge
and Laetoli Footprints respectively, within the world-famous Ngorongoro
Crater by the late Dr. Louis Leakey and his wife, the country has been
considered as the cradle of mankind.
J.K. Nyerere on independence of Tanganyika
Arab merchants established settlements along the country’s coast as early as the 7th/8th century. These were followed by the Portuguese in the 16th century who were taken-over by the Omanis in the 17th century. The short reign of the Portuguese resulted in the coming of European missionaries and explorers beginning in the late 18th century after which the Germans took over the mainland and gave it the name “Deutsche Ost Afrika” while Zanzibar became a British protectorate under the Agreement with the Oman Sultan. When Britain conquered Germany at the end of the First World War, the mainland was ruled by Her Majesty’s reign and renamed to Tanganyika.
Britain continued administering the country as a UN Trusteeship Territory until 1961 when Tanganyika achieved her independence under the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere. Following the Revolution on Zanzibar island led by Abeid Amani Karume in January 1964, the two merged in April the same year to form the United Republic of Tanzania.
Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) the Party that won the independence of Tanganyika in 1961, ruled the country until 1977 when it merged with the Afro-Shiraz Party to form the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Tanzania had a single-party political system until 1995 when the first multiparty elections were held in Tanzania
Public Holidays
Tanzania observes the following Public holidays:
- Zanzibar Revolutionary Day - 12th January
- Karume Day - 7th April
- Union Day - 26th April
- International Workers’ Day - 1st May
- Saba Saba Day - 7th July
- Farmers Day (Nane Nane Day) - 8th August
- Nyerere Day - 14th October
- Christmas Day - 25th December
- Boxing Day - 26th December
- Good Friday*
- Easter Monday*
- Eid El Fitr**
- Maulid**
- Eid El Hajji**
* Christian holidays that changes each year according to the calendar
** Islamic holidays change from year to year depending on the sighting of the new moon.
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