Tanzania

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The United Republic of Tanzania (Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania in Swahili) is a country on the east coast of central Africa. It is bordered by Kenya and Uganda on the north, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the west, and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique on the south. To the east it borders the Indian Ocean.

Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Republic of Tanzania

Image:Tanzania_flag_medium.png Image:Tanzanian_Coat_of_Arms.png

(In Detail)

National motto: Uhuru na Umoja
(Swahili) "Freedom and Unity"

image:LocationTanzania.png

Official language Swahili
Capital Dodoma (Dar es Salaam)
President Benjamin William Mkapa
Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye
Area
- Total
- water
945 090 km²
59 050 km²
Population
- Total (2000)
- Density
35 922 454
20/km²
Currency Tanzanian shilling
Time zone UTC +3h
National anthem Mungo Ibariki Afrika God Bless Africa
Internet TLD .TZ
Calling Code 255

Table of contents

1 History
2 Politics
3 Geography
4 Economy
5 Demographics
6 Regions
7 Culture
8 Miscellaneous topics
9 External Links and References

History

Main article: History of Tanzania

The area was a German colony from the 1880s to 1919. It was British from 1919 to 1961. Shortly after independence, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania on April 26, 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Tanzania. From the CIA World Factbook 2000. Not Wikified.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Tanzania. From the CIA World Factbook 2000. Not Wikified.

Economy

''Main article: Economy of Tanzania

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 90% of the work force.Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry is mainly limited to processing agricultural products and light consumer goods. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's deteriorated economic infrastructure.Although it has vast amount of natural resources like gold deposits,beautiful national parks which are underdeveloped and less exploited thus they generate little revenue. Growth in 1991-99 has featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Natural gas exploration in the Rufiji Delta looks promising and production could start by 2002. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private sector growth and investment. Short-term economic progress also depends on curbing corruption.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Tanzania

Regions

Tanzania is divided into 25 regions: Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa,Kagera, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North, Zanzibar Urban/West

Culture

Main article: Culture of Tanzania

Music of Tanzania
List of writers from Tanzania

Tanzanian music has been lacking its identity for quite a long time, this is partly attributed to the influx of musicians from the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), who were entering the country as refugees. But in recent years, mainly from the mid-nineties, a new breed of young Tanzanian musicians has emerged.

The Tanzanian artistes have devised a new style going by the name of "Bongo Flava", which is blend of all sorts of melodies, beats, rhythms and sounds. The trend among the Tanzanian music consumers has started changing towards favouring products from their local artists who sing in Swahili, the national language.

The mushrooming of FM music stations and cheap production studios has been a major boost to the music industry in the country. Contemporary artists like Lady Jaydee, Mr Nice and many others command a huge audience of followers in the country and neighbouring countries.

Miscellaneous topics

Communications in Tanzania From the CIA World Factbook 2000. Not Wikified.
Transportation in Tanzania From the CIA World Factbook 2000. Not Wikified.
Military of Tanzania From the CIA World Factbook 2000. Not Wikified.
Foreign relations of Tanzania From the CIA World Factbook 2000. Not Wikified.
Stamps and postal history of Tanzania

External Links and References

CIA World Factbook

Commonwealth of Nations

Africa

Other areas