Tanzania
Official Country Name
United Republic of Tanzania
Tanzania Overview
Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities.
Tanzania Economy
Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for almost half of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featured the processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-date economic infrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Long-term growth through 2005 featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment. Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomic policies supported real GDP growth of nearly 6% in 2006.
Tanzania Location
Tanzania is located in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique
Region
Tanzania is located in Africa
Tanzania Population
Tanzania has population of 37,445,392 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS
Tanzania Climate
Tanzania has varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
Tanzania Terrain
plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south
Tanzania Natural Resources
hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel
Ethnic Groups in Tanzania
Tanzania has the following ethnic groups - mainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African
Tanzania Religions
mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim
Tanzania 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
Tanzania Capital
Tanzania capital is Dar es Salaam
Tanzania Currency
Tanzania currency is Tanzanian shilling
Map of Tanzania
