Suprising facts about Tanzania

Tanzania is the biggest of the East African countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania). It is situated between Kenya and Mozambique bordering the Indian Ocean. Tanzania has a population of over 37 million people and covers total land area of 945,087 square kilometers, the bulk of it is a highland plateau.

Tanzania is home to Africa’s highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro which is 5,895 meters above sea level. The lakes and mountains have a narrow coastal belt, some of it desert or semi desert and the rest savannah and scattered bush.

Tanzania also has three of the largest lakes in Africa: Lake Victoria (the world’s second largest freshwater lake), Lake Tanganyika (the world’s second deepest and longest) and Lake Nyasa. One of the treasures of the world is Olduvai Gorge where Dr. Lewis Leakey discovered the first and oldest humankind.

One of the country’s major geographical features is the Great Rift Valley that stretches over 9,700 kilometers. Believe it or not, this valley is also visible from space!

From the Arabs of Zanzibar to the Chagga of the snow blanketed mountain of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania’s people are as unique as the country they live in. The languages spoken in Tanzania are Kiswahili, Kiugunju, English, Arabic and other native languages. From more than 120 tribes inhabit Tanzania. All of these tribes form over a half of the country’s population. Probably the most well known tribe in Africa are the Maasai. They occupy the entire northern section of Tanzania in the area which is well known as Maasai Steppe. The Maasai in their leaping dance chant in their deep voices which can scare a lion!

Other Surprising facts about Tanzania

• The first name before Tanzania was Tanganyika –Tanganyika was mainland while Zanzibar was island which formed Tanzania (The country’s full name is The United Republic of Tanzania).

• The currency is Tanzanian Shillings (1 USD = 1,054.25 TZS as of June 30, 2003)

• The income is $100 per person per month

• The first president of Tanzania was Julius Kambarage Nyerere

• The independence of Tanzania from the British was on 9/12/1961

• The life expectancy is age 48 for males and females.

Surprising facts about Dar es Salaam

• Dar es Salaam means ‘Haven of Peace’ – chosen by Sultan Seyyid Majid

• It was once called ‘Mzizima’ , which means healthy town.

• Dar es Salaam used to be a small fishing village

• Mid 19th centaury it started to become important, when it was made into a port and trading centre by the Sultan.

• After 1887 it became the capital of German East Africa

• Capital of Tanzania in 1961 when Tanzania had their independence.

• Dar es Salaam is the coastal capital city of Tanzania – the political capital is Dodoma

• It has a population of 2,489,800 people

• In Dar es Salaam there is a style of art called “TingaTinga” that is well liked by tourists and inhabitants alike

• Many women wear Kangas (Tanzanian sarongs that have a ‘saying’ at the bottom), local women are becoming modern in their dressing but still wear their traditional clothes.

Holidays:

January 1st: New Years Day

January 12th: Zanzibar Revolution Day

February 12th: Eid Al-Adha (feast of sacrifices)*

April 18th: Good Friday*

April 21st: Easter Monday*

April 26th: Union Day

May1st: Labor Day

May 14th: Maulid Day (birth of prophet)*

July 7th: Saba Saba (industries day)

August 8th: Nane Nane (farmers day)

November 26th-28th: Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadhan)*

December 9th: Independence Day and Republic Day

December 25th: Christmas Day

December 26th: Boxing Day