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Cultural and political information about Tanzania

INTRODUCTION: Tanzania has often attracted attention as an exemplary African nation because of its peacefulness and stability. In part, this can be attributed to the gentle leadership and charisma of President Julius Nyerere. Unlike the largely rhetorical radicalism of other emerging countries, Tanzania's policies for change have been put into practice. Since independence, significant progress has been made in social services, though problems in the country's economic development have kept Tanzania's political and economical goals from full realization. Tanzania's political environment is more stable than in many African nations.

CAPITAL: Dodoma (administrative capital); Dar es Salaam (the commercial capital).

INDEPENDENCE: Tanganyika, Dec. 9, 1961; Zanzibar, Dec. 10, 1963; United Republic of Tanzania, April 27, 1964.

AREA: 362340 square miles. It is the largest East African country.

POPULATION: Population for the years, 1977, 1985, 1990, 1993, 1994, and 1995, are 16.9, 21.73, 25.63, 28.02, 28.85, 30.34 million respectively.

LANGUAGE: Swahili and English are the official languages. Bantu, Nilo-Hamitic and Khoisan languages and Arabic are also spoken.

GOVERNMENT: Multi-party democracy. Head of State: Benjamin William Mkapa (President since 1995). Head of Government: Frederick Sumaye, Prime Minister. Vice-president: Omer Ali Juma.

RELIGIONS: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and traditional beliefs.

GEOGRAPHY: Bordered by Uganda and Kenya to the north; Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi to the south; Rwanda, Burundi and Zaire to the west; and the Indian Ocean to the east. The mainland has several distinct geographical divisions: the Coastal Plains, whose width varies from 16 to 64km and whose vegetation is luxuriant and tropical; the Masai steppe: the north side 213-1067m , 698-3500ft above sea level; the high plateau, located in the south towards Zambia, and Lake Nyasa.

Savanna and bush cover almost 50% of Tanzania's land; the remaining land is semi-desert, with the exception of the coastal plains. More than 53,000 sq. km are covered by inland water, mostly lakes (see LAKES) formed in the Rift Valley. Zanzibar and Pemba are islands about 45km off the coast to the northeast of the mainland.

CLIMATE: Tropical and coastal areas are hot and humid, with the rainy season lasting from March to May; the Central Plateau is dry and arid; the northwestern highlands are cool and moderate with rainy seasons from November to December and February to May.

NATURAL RESOURCES: Hydropower potentials, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, and nickel.

MAJOR CITIES: Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Tanga, Zanzibar, Mwanza, and Arusha.

ECONOMY: The economy of Tanzania is based on agriculture, which accounts for 60% of its GDP and more than 80% of employment and export earnings. Most Tanzanians are farmers living in rural villages. Forests cover about 50% of the country. Wood and charcoal supply more than 90% of its energy. Livestock: ca 13 m cattle, 5 m sheep, and 280,000 pigs. Hydroelectric potential: 830 million kw. Hydropower provides more than 70% of electrical power. Mining and industrial sectors are relatively small, contributing 15% of the nation's GDP. Major Industries: agricultural products (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal, oil refining, shoes, cement, textiles, wood products, fertilizers are also important products). Important minerals: diamond, gold, tin and coal. Principle exports: coffee, cotton, cashew nuts, tobacco, tea, diamonds. Main imports: food, fuels, machinery and equipment. External Debt: 6.7 billion dollars (1993 estimates).

Men selling cloth in a market
Dhow in Zanzibar
Masai warrior
Baobab tree in Tarangire National Park
Women planting rice
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