Tanzania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
United Republic of Tanzania
Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania (Swahili)
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 Coat of arms
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Motto: Uhuru na Umoja
Freedom and Unity
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Anthem: Mungu ibariki Afrika (Swahili)
"God has blessed us" |
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Location of Tanzania (dark green) in eastern Africa
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Map of Tanzania
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| Capital | Dodoma |
| Largest city | Dar es Salaam |
| Official languages | |
| National language | Swahili |
| Other languages | Over 100 languages, including (1m+):
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| Ethnic groups | Over 100 ethnic groups |
| Religion
(2020)
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| Demonym(s) | Tanzanian |
| Government | Unitary socialist dominant-party presidential republic |
| Samia Suluhu Hassan | |
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• Vice-President
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Philip Mpango |
| Kassim Majaliwa | |
| Legislature | National Assembly |
| Independence from the United Kingdom | |
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• Tanganyika
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9 December 1961 |
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• Zanzibar
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10 December 1963 |
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• Unification of Tanganyika and Zanzibar
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26 April 1964 |
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• Current constitution
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25 April 1977 |
| Area | |
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• Total
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947,303 km2 (365,756 sq mi) (30th) |
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• Water (%)
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6.4 |
| Population | |
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• 2022 census
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 61,741,120 |
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• Density
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65.2/km2 (168.9/sq mi) (147th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
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• Total
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$227.725 billion (72nd) |
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• Per capita
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$3,595 (157th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
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• Total
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$84.033 billion (76th) |
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• Per capita
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$1,326 (164th) |
| Gini (2017) | ▲ 40.5 medium |
| HDI (2022) |  0.532low · 167th |
| Currency | Tanzanian shilling (TZS) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (East Africa Time) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +255 |
| ISO 3166 code | TZ |
| Internet TLD | .tz |
Tanzania, officially called the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa. It is part of the African Great Lakes region. Tanzania shares borders with Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Indian Ocean is to its east.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain, is in northeastern Tanzania. In 2022, Tanzania had nearly 62 million people. This makes it the most populated country completely south of the equator. Many old human fossils have been found here. Some are 6 million years old.
Long ago, different groups of people moved into Tanzania. These included people from Ethiopia and South Sudan. Around the same time, Bantu people from West Africa settled near Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika. In the late 1800s, Germany took control of the mainland. After World War I, Britain ruled it as Tanganyika. The Zanzibar Archipelago was a separate British area. In 1961 and 1963, both areas became independent. They joined in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Tanzania is still a member of the British Commonwealth.
Today, Tanzania is a republic led by a President. Its capital city is Dodoma. However, Dar es Salaam is the largest city and main business center. The country has been peaceful since it became independent. It is seen as a safe and stable country in Africa. Tanzania has about 120 different ethnic, language, and religious groups. Christianity is the biggest religion in Tanzania. There are also many Muslim and Animist people. Over 100 languages are spoken. Swahili is the national language. English is used for trade, diplomacy, and in higher education.
Tanzania has mountains and thick forests in the northeast. This is where Mount Kilimanjaro is located. It is the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Three of Africa's Great Lakes are partly in Tanzania. These are Lake Victoria (Africa's largest), Lake Tanganyika (Africa's deepest), and Lake Malawi. The eastern coast is hot and humid. The Zanzibar Archipelago is just off the coast. The Kalambo Falls are the second-highest waterfall in Africa. Tanzania is a very popular place for safari trips.
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What Does the Name Tanzania Mean?
The name Tanzania comes from two places: Tanganyika and Zanzibar. It uses the first three letters of each name: "Tan" from Tanganyika and "Zan" from Zanzibar. Then, the ending "-ia" was added.
The name Tanganyika comes from the Swahili words tanga (meaning "sail") and nyika (meaning "wilderness"). So, it means "sail in the wilderness." It might refer to Lake Tanganyika.
The name Zanzibar comes from Zanj, a local people's name meaning "black." It also includes the Arabic word barr, meaning "coast" or "shore."
A Look at Tanzania's Past
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Tanzania is one of the oldest places where people have lived continuously. Scientists have found very old human fossils and tools here. The Olduvai Gorge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has many tools that show how early humans developed.
The first people in eastern Africa were likely the Hadza and Sandawe. They were hunter-gatherers. Later, different groups of people moved into Tanzania. These included Southern Cushitic speakers from Ethiopia and Somalia. Eastern Cushitic people also arrived from north of Lake Turkana.
Around the same time, Southern Nilotes, like the Datoog, moved from South Sudan. Iron-making Bantu people from West Africa also settled near the Great Lakes. They brought farming skills and crops like yams.
The Pare people were known for making iron. The Haya people invented a special furnace. This furnace allowed them to make carbon steel over 1,500 years ago. This was a very advanced skill for that time.
Merchants from the Persian Gulf and India visited the East African coast long ago. Islam was practiced there as early as the 700s or 800s AD.
Medieval Times
Bantu-speaking people built farming and trading villages along the coast. This started around 1000 AD. Places like Fukuchani in Zanzibar show settled communities from the 6th century. They traded a little with far-off places.
Trade grew quickly from the mid-8th century. By the late 900s, Zanzibar was a main trading town. The city-states along the coast became rich from trade. Kilwa became the most powerful city-state in medieval Tanzania. It controlled many smaller ports. Kilwa got rich from the gold trade.
Colonial Rule
In 1840, the Sultan of Oman moved his capital to Zanzibar City. Zanzibar became a major center for the east African slave trade. Many people were enslaved during this time. Slavery was later stopped in the 1890s.
In 1885, Germany took control of the mainland. They called it German East Africa. After World War I, Britain took over. They renamed the mainland "Tanganyika." The Zanzibar Archipelago stayed separate.
Between 1905 and 1907, several African tribes rebelled against German rule. This was called the Maji-Maji rebellion. It was a bloody uprising caused by forced labor. Many people died from fighting and famine.
During World War II, about 100,000 people from Tanganyika joined the Allied forces. They fought in Africa and Asia. Tanganyika also supplied a lot of food during the war.
In 1954, Julius Nyerere started the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU). Its goal was for Tanganyika to become independent. Nyerere became Prime Minister when Tanganyika gained independence in 1961.
Tanzania's Geography
Tanzania is a large country, about 947,403 square kilometers. It is the 13th largest country in Africa. It has a long coastline on the Indian Ocean. Several islands are part of Tanzania, including Unguja (Zanzibar), Pemba, and Mafia.
Tanzania has both the highest and lowest points in Africa. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest at 5,895 meters. The bottom of Lake Tanganyika is the lowest at 1,471 meters below sea level.
The northeast is mountainous and forested, home to Mount Kilimanjaro. Three of Africa's Great Lakes are partly in Tanzania. These are Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Nyasa. Central Tanzania is a large plateau with plains. The eastern coast is hot and humid.
The Kalambo Falls are the second-highest waterfall in Africa. They are near the border with Zambia. The Menai Bay Conservation Area is Zanzibar's largest protected marine area.
Climate and Weather
Tanzania's climate changes a lot depending on the area. In the highlands, temperatures are cooler, from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. In most of the country, temperatures rarely drop below 20 degrees Celsius. The hottest time is from November to February. The coolest time is from May to August.
Tanzania has two main rainy seasons. One is from October to April in the south and west. The other is from October to December and March to May in the north and east.
Climate change in Tanzania is causing rising temperatures. It also brings more intense rain (leading to floods) and dry periods (leading to droughts). These changes affect farming, water, health, and energy.
Wildlife and Nature Protection
Tanzania has about 20% of Africa's large mammal population. These animals live in 21 National Parks, reserves, and marine parks. These protected areas cover about 38% of the country.
Tanzania is very rich in biodiversity. It has many different animal homes. On the Serengeti plain, huge herds of wildebeest and zebra migrate every year. Tanzania has the largest lion population in the world.
Gombe Stream National Park is famous for Jane Goodall's study of chimpanzees. This study started in 1960 and is still going on.
How Tanzania is Governed
Tanzania is divided into 31 regions. Twenty-six are on the mainland and five are in Zanzibar. These regions are further divided into 169 districts. These districts are also called local government authorities.
The city of Dar es Salaam is special. It has a city council that works with three municipal councils. The city council helps coordinate services like security.
Economy and Development
Tanzania's economy has been growing. In 2021, its total economic output (GDP) was about $71 billion. The wealth per person (GDP per capita) was about $3,574.
From 2009 to 2013, Tanzania's wealth per person grew faster than most other East African countries. The country did well during the Great Recession. This was partly because of strong gold prices. Also, Tanzania was not deeply connected to global markets.
In 2020, the World Bank said Tanzania had moved from a low-income to a lower middle-income country. This means its economy is getting stronger.
Farming and Food Production
Farming is very important to Tanzania's economy. In 2013, it made up almost a quarter of the country's wealth. It also provided 85% of exports and half of all jobs.
The main food crops are maize, cassava, and sweet potatoes. Important cash crops include sugar, cotton, and cashew nuts. Beef is the largest meat product.
Only a small part of Tanzania's farmland is irrigated. This means most farms rely on rain.
Industry and Energy
Industry and construction are growing parts of Tanzania's economy. They made up over 22% of the country's wealth in 2013. This includes mining, manufacturing, and energy.
Mining is important, especially for gold. Gold made up 89% of mineral exports in 2013. Tanzania also exports diamonds and tanzanite, a unique gemstone.
Access to electricity is increasing but still limited. The government aims to greatly increase electricity production by 2025. Much of Tanzania's electricity comes from natural gas and hydropower. The country has large natural gas reserves. A new gas pipeline helps transport gas for electricity.
Tourism in Tanzania
Tourism is a big part of Tanzania's economy. In 2016, it made up 17.5% of the country's wealth. It also provided 11% of all jobs.
Many tourists visit Zanzibar. They also go on safaris in the "northern circuit." This includes Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Mount Kilimanjaro. Serengeti National Park is the most visited.
Transportation and Communication
Most travel in Tanzania happens by road. Roads carry over 75% of goods and 80% of passengers. The Cairo–Cape Town Highway passes through Tanzania.
Tanzania has two railway companies. One connects Dar es Salaam to Zambia. The other connects Dar es Salaam to central and northern Tanzania.
Dar es Salaam has a new rapid bus system called DART. It helps people travel around the city. Tanzania has four international airports and many smaller ones.
The communications sector is growing fast. More Tanzanians are using mobile phones and the internet. A fiber-optic cable network has improved internet service.
Water and Sanitation
Access to clean water and good sanitation is a challenge in Tanzania. Many areas have limited water supplies. The quality of service can be low.
The government is working to improve water and sanitation. They have a plan to develop water resources. Local governments are now in charge of providing these services.
Food and Health
Poor nutrition is a problem in Tanzania. It varies a lot across different regions. Many children are underweight or have stunted growth due to not getting enough nutrients.
Even in areas with enough food, children can still suffer from stunting. This is due to things like poor hygiene and limited healthcare. Droughts can also make food shortages worse. This causes prices for important crops like maize to go up.
Most people in rural areas rely on farming for their food. They often face more food shortages than people in cities.
Programs to Help with Hunger
Many organizations are working to improve nutrition in Tanzania. USAID has "Feed the Future" programs. These programs invest in farming, nutrition, and infrastructure.
The Tanzanian government has an initiative called "Kilimo Kwanza" (Agriculture First). It encourages investment in farming. It also seeks new ideas from young people.
The World Food Programme provides food aid. They give special fortified food to pregnant women and mothers. This helps reduce malnutrition. UNICEF says that improving nutrition in Tanzania is very important. It could lead to big economic gains for the country.
Save the Children, UNICEF, and Irish Aid created the Partnership for Nutrition in Tanzania (PANITA). This group works with local organizations to improve nutrition. They focus on farming, water, sanitation, and education.
Science and New Ideas
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Tanzania adopted its first "National Science and Technology Policy" in 1996. The government's "Vision 2025" aims to make the economy strong using science and technology.
In 2010, Tanzania updated its science policy. It focused on improving research and international cooperation. It also planned to create a National Research Fund.
Tanzania spends a small amount of its wealth on research and development. It also has fewer researchers compared to other countries. However, it is working to improve its innovation.
People and Population
| Year | Million |
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| 1950 | 7.9 |
| 2000 | 35.1 |
| 2018 | 56.3 |
In 2012, Tanzania's population was about 44.9 million people. About 44% of the population was under 15 years old.
Most people live along the northern border or the coast. Other parts of the country are not as populated. Dar es Salaam is the largest city. Dodoma is the capital city.
Since Tanzania became independent, the rate of child deaths has greatly decreased.
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Largest cities or towns in Tanzania
2012 Census General Report, March 2013 Combined Final for Printing |
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| Rank | Name | Pop. |
| 1 | Dar es Salaam | 4,364,541 |
| 2 | Mwanza | 706,543 |
| 3 | Arusha | 416,442 |
| 4 | Dodoma | 410,956 |
| 5 | Mbeya | 385,279 |
| 6 | Morogoro | 315,866 |
| 7 | Tanga | 273,332 |
| 8 | Kahama | 242,208 |
| 9 | Tabora | 226,999 |
| 10 | Zanzibar City | 223,033 |
Tanzania has about 125 different ethnic groups. The largest groups are the Sukuma, Nyamwezi, Chagga, and Haya. Each of these groups has over 1 million people. Most Tanzanians are of native African descent. There are also smaller groups of Arab, European, and Asian descent.
Religions in Tanzania
| Religion in Tanzania (2020) | ||||
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| Christianity | 63.1% | |||
| Islam | 34.1% | |||
| Indigenous beliefs | 1.1% | |||
| Other | 1.7% | |||
| Source: CIA World Factbook. | ||||
Official numbers on religion are not available from government reports since 1967. However, Christianity and Islam are the main religions. Some people also follow traditional African religions. Sometimes, people follow more than one religion at the same time.
Most people in Zanzibar are Muslim. Among Christians, the Catholic Church is the largest group. There are also many Lutherans, Moravians, and Anglicans. These groups were brought by missionaries in the past.
Other religious groups in Tanzania include Buddhists, Hindus, and Baháʼís.
Languages Spoken
More than 100 languages are spoken in Tanzania. This makes it the country with the most languages in East Africa. There is no official language by law.
Swahili is used in parliament and in primary schools. It is the national language. English is used for international trade, diplomacy, and in higher education. President Nyerere encouraged Swahili to unite the many ethnic groups.
About 10% of Tanzanians speak Swahili as their first language. Up to 90% speak it as a second language. Many educated Tanzanians also speak English. The widespread use of Swahili is causing smaller languages to decline.
Education and Learning
In 2015, about 78% of people aged 15 and over could read and write. Education is required until age 15. In 2020, most children finished primary school. Fewer completed secondary and higher education.
The Tanzania Library Services Board runs many libraries. These include regional, district, and divisional libraries.
Culture and Arts
Music in Tanzania
Music in Tanzania is always changing. It depends on the place, people, and event. There are five main music styles: ngoma, dansi, kwaya, taarab, and bongo flava. Singeli is a newer popular style.
- Ngoma is traditional dance music.
- Dansi is urban jazz or band music.
- Taarab is sung Swahili poetry with a band. People often dance and clap.
- Kwaya is choir music. It used to be only for church but is now used in many events.
- Bongo flava is Tanzanian pop music. It started in the early 2000s. It mixes reggae, R&B, hip hop, taarab, and dansi.
- Singeli is a fast-paced ngoma music. An MC raps over quick taarab music.
Before 1993, the government controlled all music recording and broadcasting. Only the four main genres were allowed. After 1993, private radio stations and studios opened. This helped bongo flava become very popular.
National Anthem
Tanzania's national anthem is "Mungu Ibariki Africa" (God Bless Africa). Its Swahili words are based on "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" from South Africa. This song became a symbol for all of Africa.
Literature and Stories
Tanzania has a strong tradition of oral literature. This means stories, poems, riddles, and songs are passed down by speaking. Most recorded oral literature is in Swahili. However, every language in Tanzania has its own oral traditions.
Books can be expensive and hard to find in Tanzania. Most written literature is in Swahili or English. Famous Tanzanian writers include Shaaban bin Robert (the "father of Swahili literature") and Abdulrazak Gurnah.
Painting and Sculptures
Two Tanzanian art styles are known worldwide. The Tingatinga painting style uses bright colors. It shows people, animals, or daily life. It was started by Edward Said Tingatinga. After he died, other artists continued his style. It is now a very popular art style for tourists in East Africa.
Sports and Games
Football is very popular in Tanzania. The biggest football clubs in Dar es Salaam are Young Africans F.C. and Simba S.C. The Tanzania Football Federation manages football in the country.
Other popular sports include basketball, netball, boxing, and volleyball. The National Sports Council oversees sports in Tanzania.
Movies and Films
Tanzania has a popular film industry called "Bongo Movie." This name comes from "Bongo Flava", which is also a popular music genre in Tanzania.
Images for kids
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An elephant passing by the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro
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Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest inactive and intact volcanic caldera
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Wildebeest migration in the Serengeti
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Tanzania map of Köppen climate classification
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The Masai giraffe is Tanzania's national animal.
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Regions of Tanzania
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Historical development of real GDP per capita in Tanzania, since 1950
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Tea fields in Tukuyu
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Williamson diamond mine
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Songo Songo Gas Plant
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Nyerere Bridge in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam
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The snowcapped Uhuru Peak
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One of the main trunk roads
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Zanzibar harbour
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Domestic expenditure on research in Southern Africa as a percentage of GDP, 2012 or closest year. Source: UNESCO Science Report: towards 2030 (2015), figure 20.3.
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A Tanzanian woman cooks Pilau rice dish wearing traditional Kanga.
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Farmers using a rice harvester to harvest rice in Igunga District, Tanzania
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Example of a World Food Programme parcel
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Researchers (HC) in Southern Africa per million inhabitants, 2013 or closest year
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Scientific publications per million inhabitants in SADC countries in 2014. Source: UNESCO Science Report (2015), data from Thomson Reuters' Web of Science, Science Citation Index Expanded.
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The Hadza live as hunter-gatherers.
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St Joseph's Catholic cathedral, Zanzibar
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A carved door with Arabic calligraphy in Zanzibar
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Nkrumah Hall at the University of Dar es Salaam
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Tanzanian Ngoma group
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A Tingatinga painting
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National Stadium in Dar es Salaam
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Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Tanzania para niños
