Destination

Destination

Learn about the history, culture and people of Tanzania.

Full country name:
The United Republic of Tanzania
Population:
33 million
Capital City:
Dodoma (official); Dar es Salaam (administrative)
People:
Tanzania is home to more than 100 different ethnic groups
Language:
Cantonese, Swahili and English are the official languages, with numerous other African languages spoken
Religion:
About 35 to 40 percent are Muslim and between 40 and 45 percent are Christian. The remainder follow traditional religions that centre on ancestor worship, the land and various ritual objects. There are also small communities of Hindus, Sihks and Ismailis
Major Industries:
Agriculture, tourism and mining
Government:
Shortly after independence, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964. Today it is a fledging multi-party democaracy
Currency:
Tanzania Schilling (Tsh)
Time Zone:
GMT+3
Area:
945,090 sq km / 364,899 sq miles

Tanzania is the largest of the East African nations, and is a land of spectacular natural beauty which offers a multitude of attractions to visitors. It is home to some of Africa's great sights including its highest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro, its largest lake, Lake Victoria which sits on the border with Uganda and Kenya and its lowest point, the floor of Lake Tanganyika.

Many people think that the history of mankind started in Kenya and Tanzania and the Leakey family, excavating in the region in the 1960s, found evidence of some of our earliest ancestors. Over the years, Bantu speaking people moved to the area and by the eighth century Arab traders were living along the coast. At the end of the fifteenth century Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, visited the East African coast and before long Portugal controlled much of this area.

In 1886 Britain and Germany divided present-day Tanzania between the two countries but following the First World War, Tanzania was variously governed by the League of Nations and the United Nations, until independence and union with Zanzibar in the 1960s.

Today, for many travellers, northern Tanzania offers what is best about all of Africa. It is at this point that the Great Rift Valley is at its most visually impressive. The snow-capped Mt Kilimanjaro sits near to the wildlife packed Ngorongoro Crater, a 20-mile-wide volcanic crater which has the most extraordinary concentration and diversity of wildlife, and the vast plains of the Serengeti which has some of the largest wildlife herds on the continent. With such variety Tanzania now tops the list of Africa's up and coming destinations so make sure you don't miss out.