What part of the continent is Tanzania located in? Useful information about Tanzania

United Republic of Tanzania.

Country Summary

Main religions Thanks to the influence of various cultures, modern citizens of Tanzania profess Islam, Christianity and paganism. On the mainland, 35 percent of the population is Muslim, 30 percent is Christian, and the rest are adherents of various aboriginal cults. Most of the population of Zanzibar professes Islam. Official currency The national currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling. There are banknotes in circulation for 200, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 TZS. One shilling is equal to one hundred cents. Network voltage The network voltage is 220-230V, sometimes there are failures in the supply of voltage. Climate The climate is mainly equatorial-monsoon. The average temperatures of the warmest month are from 25°C to 27°C, the coldest from 12°C to 15°C. Precipitation is from 500 to 1500 mm per year. The climate in Tanzania is quite dry. The great dry season begins in June and ends in September. It is very hot between January and March. There are two rainy seasons: the heavy rainy season - April and May, and the light rainy season - from late September to early November. Time to avoid coming to Tanzania - a long period rains, when it rains almost every day, which creates very difficult conditions for Europeans with high air temperatures. In addition, during this period the risk of malaria and gastrointestinal infections increases sharply. The hunting season is closed from April 1 to June 30, and in the south of the country, seasonal rains (from February to March) erode the soil so much that they make the area practically inaccessible.

Finance

In Zanzibar you will get acquainted with such types of clothing as kikoi for men and kanga for women - fabric that is wrapped around the body. You can also purchase carved products - frames, hangers, chests, stands, spices, natural lotions and incense. Tours to Tanzania will enrich you spiritually, because the cultural heritage of the local tribes goes back centuries.

The country produces unique Tanzanian green tourmalines, sapphires, garnets, rubies, emeralds and diamonds, as well as the rare mineral tanzanite (“blue diamond”), found only here in the volcanic deposits of Mount Kilimanjaro. Some of this wealth can be bought in the country, but, unfortunately, most of the local high-quality gemstones are freely sold only in the markets of neighboring Kenya.

Shops are open daily from 9:00 to 19:00. In large cities, most shops are open until 22:00.
Tipping Tanzania has a well-established tradition of tipping. This means that any person who provides any service for you will expect gratitude for this in the form of a tip. It is recommended to determine the level of tips in accordance with the quality of the service provided to you. A tip is an expression of the client's gratitude for the service provided to him. They are given only if the service was provided at the expected high level. Tips are provided only at the end of the service at the request of the client and are not obligatory. Approximate tips: porters at airports, hotels and lodges: $1 per bag; in restaurants: approximately 10% of the total bill, which in the safari sector will include only drinks; driver and safari guides: $5 per person per day (usually all tourists chip in together at the end of the safari). Cost of food Cost of a “typical” dinner: about 30 USD. Taxi services The most common and convenient mode of urban transport in Tanzania is a taxi. But it is recommended to use taxi services only from well-known rental companies. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the fare is determined on the basis of an individual agreement, and we recommend bargaining with the driver. Public transport City transport is available in large cities - Dar es Salaam, Didoma. Here it is represented by ordinary old city buses and minibuses. In other populated areas, urban transport consists of pickup trucks, minibuses and rickshaws moving chaotically around the city and suburbs. There is no permanent schedule of transport departures and arrivals. Rent a car When traveling around Tanzania, you can also rent a car. To rent a car in Tanzania, you need an international driving license. The rental cost will be from 60? per day. It is worth paying attention to the fact that due to the number of tourists in the country and the high wear and tear of the vehicle fleet, you should carefully check the technical condition of the rented “horse”.

As a rule, the rental price includes a certain kilometer limit; each subsequent kilometer is additionally paid according to the tariff. For trips to national parks and safari, we recommend that you rent all-wheel drive jeeps with a folding roof, which allow you to take photos and videos without leaving the car.

Driving in Tanzania is on the left. Please note that branches abandoned on the road can act as a warning sign and indicate an accident. In Tanzania, bribes to officials are not accepted, incl. traffic policeman.

To say that traffic in Tanzania is dangerous is an understatement given the condition of the roads, the deterioration of the local vehicle fleet, and local driving habits. Both people and animals cross the road without paying the slightest attention to traffic, which is why the number of road accidents is high. The national sport in Tanzania is slalom between potholes, and the rules of the road are forgotten by everyone forever. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that tourists resort to the services of a professional driver, which will be especially important if they are going to travel to the countryside or savannah.

customs control

The import and export of foreign currency is not limited (declaration is required), national currency is prohibited. Duty-free import of cigarettes is allowed - 200 pcs., alcoholic beverages - up to 1 liter, food, household items - within the limits of personal needs. Audio, photo and video equipment are included in the declaration and must be exported from the country according to the entry.

The import and export of drugs, explosives, poisons and pornographic products is prohibited. All plants and animals are imported only on the basis of a phytosanitary certificate or a certificate of health of the animal (vaccination against rabies is required). All animals are inspected upon arrival and sent to quarantine.

The export of ivory and products made from it, rhinoceros horn, wild animal skins, gold, diamonds, cloves (without documents confirming the legality of their acquisition) is prohibited.

The export of gold and silver jewelry, stamps, coins, and food products is allowed within the limits of personal needs (receipts from the store must be attached to the jewelry).

Transport

In Tanzania, there are many different ways to get around the country.

The domestic air transportation network allows you to reach almost anywhere in the country. In general, Tanzania has a relatively extensive network of passenger air transportation. Dar es Salaam is connected by regular flights to all major cities of the country: Didoma, Mwanza, Mtwara, Tabora, Zanzibar, Mbeya, Moshi, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro. In addition, the country has more than fifty small airfields aimed at tourists visiting national parks.

The country has three main air carriers: Air Tanzania, Coastal aviation, Precision air. The cost of flights is comparatively high due to the fact that tourists usually have to pay higher prices than local residents.

Another possible accessible way to travel around the country is by rail. This type of transport is relatively inexpensive and reliable.

Tanzanian railways have a fairly extensive network on an African scale and connect all the largest cities in the country. Trains regularly operate from Dar es Salaam to the following destinations:

Dar es Salaam - Dodoma - Kigoma
- Dar es Salaam - Tabora - Mwanza
- Dar es Salaam - Arusha
- Dar es Salaam - Mbeya.

Trains are divided into 4 classes: luxury, second-seater, second-sleeper and third-class sedentary. The fare depends on the class. The first and second classes are relatively comfortable. Third class is usually overcrowded, not air conditioned and quite tiring for long journeys. Detailed information about timetables and tariffs can be obtained from the official website of Tanzania Railways.

Another common fast and cheap means of transport in Tanzania is bus service. Between the main settlements of Tanzania there are routes along which both large comfortable tourist buses and faster but less safe minibuses run.

The most comfortable are Scandinavian, they are more than comfortable: driving in an air-conditioned cabin filled with amenities, past the local population riding on donkeys or in crowded matatu minibuses, the tourist feels like a truly white man. But far from big cities, there is simpler transport, and in the outback, a chilling ride in a matatu cannot be avoided if you don’t have a car with a personal driver.

In general, the main type of intercity transport in Tanzania is the so-called “Dala-Dala”, in other words, buses on a truck chassis that resembles a “shift vehicle”. Another name for this type of transport is “Lorry”. Dala-Dala connects all the cities of the country, they are very cheap, often lack minimal comfort (and don’t dream of air conditioning!), are often very slow, but at the same time they are often the only opportunity to travel around Tanzania, especially in remote areas.

Small pickup trucks operate on commuter routes, with passengers occupying the back of the vehicle. It's almost always cramped and very uncomfortable here, but it's cheap and fast. Another option is small minibuses, which are also always very crowded.

There are ferry services between Dar es Salaam and the islands of Pemba and Zanzibar, as well as on Lakes Victoria, Nyassa and Tanganyika. True, the ferry can turn out to be either a fast beast with all the amenities, or a rusty trough - you can guess this in advance only by the price of the ticket. As a rule, night ferries are much worse than day ferries.

Ferries from Dar es Salaam to the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba are the main tourist destinations for sea travel. Travel time is from 3 to 5 hours, depending on the class of the vessel. They are carried out by Azam Marine, whose offices are located both in the port of the Tanzanian capital and in the business center of the city. There are 4 daily flights. There are two ferries onwards to Pemba Island, and the cost from Dar es Salaam to Pemba depends on the class. On first class ships, passengers are offered tea and light snacks. The room is air conditioned and videos are shown. Upon arrival on the island of Zanzibar, passengers' documents are checked, so you must have a passport with you.

Telecommunications

Mobile communications in Tanzania are much more developed than cable lines. The GSM 900/1800 standard is used. Operators Tritel (network code GSM 742), Mobitel Celtel Tanzania Ltd (code GSM 743), Vodacom Tanzania Limited (code GSM 744), Zanzibar Telecom (Zantel, code GSM 747) and others cover only the main cities and areas along major highways. Zanzibar Telecom (Zantel) provides almost complete coverage of the islands. Roaming with local companies is available to subscribers of the largest Russian operators.

Network services in the country are provided by providers Africa Online, Cats-net.com and TZ Online. Network services in the country are consumed in a very large volume; Internet cafes are located everywhere in the capital and other large cities. The cost per hour of connection is one of the lowest on the continent. In Zanzibar, network technologies are somewhat less developed, and the price of access is higher.
Calls to Russia In order to call from Tanzania to Moscow, you need to dial Russia code 7 and Moscow code 095. From Tanzania you can call abroad either through the telephone operator by dialing 0900, or via a direct international line through 00. Calls from Russia In order to To call from Moscow to Tanzania, you need to dial 8-10-255, and then the city code (Dar es Salaam - 51). City codes City codes: Dar es Salaam 22, Dodoma 26, Arusha 27. Useful telephone numbers The single emergency telephone number is 112.
Ambulance - 133, 122.
Police - 995.
Fire service - 999.

National cuisine

The national cuisine of Tanzania is quite traditional for the territory of East Africa. For the most part, it is a mixture of African folk traditions based on the extensive use of plant products in combination with those products, often quite unusual, that can be found in the wild. On the coast, the influence of European cuisine is noticeable, and Zanzibar is famous for its bizarre combination of African, Arab and Persian culinary traditions.

Most dishes are made from various types of meat from wild animals and birds. Beef and pork are traditionally expensive in these parts. Tourists are usually offered all sorts of exotic things - antelope fillet, elephant stew, crocodile meat with banana salad, fried warthog side, slow-roasted "nyama-choma" or "mishikaki" meat of all kinds - "nyama-nkombe" (fried beef) , "nyama-kuku" (chicken), "nyama-na-ndizi" (meat with stewed bananas), etc. It is worth trying the duck stewed in coconut milk with rice "dakling dar es salaam" (holiday dish) , roast ostrich with fruit sauce, various pancakes and flatbreads with all sorts of fillings, traditional African thick porridge from various grains “ugali” (often fried and rolled into balls, and then it goes as a side dish in addition to many meats and vegetables dishes), fried termites or locusts and other local delicacies.

As more traditional dishes, we can recommend the local version of grilled chicken, fried game in dough, buffalo steak, creamy chicken soup with green peas, veal stewed with vegetables, etc. Various fried sausages, sausages and other fried and smoked open fire meat products can be tasted in any establishment, even from street vendors. Bean soup with coconut milk, which is a traditional everyday Tanzanian dish, is also very popular.

The side dish usually includes corn, legumes, various roots and rice, as well as fried potatoes and salted cabbage. A traditional everyday dish, or rather a snack, are dishes based on special unsweetened bananas, which are fried, stewed, baked or simmered in the oven along with meat and peanuts. Indian sauces are very popular, including the famous “curry”, as well as various local spices.

Seafood is widely used on the coast. Worth checking out here are grilled lemon shrimp, excellent local lobster, octopus stew, charcoal-grilled sea fish with spices, charcoal-grilled fish in banana leaves, various shells, including local oysters, and seaweed salad. All restaurants offer a huge selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. Local honey enjoys well-deserved popularity; many sweets are prepared from it, the recipes of which clearly have Arabic roots.

Flatbreads from various grain crops, naan bread are served at the table, and on the coast this role is often played by the traditional Indian bread “chapati” (sometimes it is also served for dessert, but in this case the chapati flatbreads are folded several times and served with honey , jam or various sweets) or Indian pancakes “samosa”. For dessert they serve banana custard cakes, maandazi sweets (more like sugared cakes) and fresh fruit.

The most popular drinks are fresh juices with ice, tea (“tea”, it is usually brewed here “in English” - with milk and sugar) and local coffee of fairly good quality. Tanzania is one of the five leading countries exporting coffee and tea, so the quality of these drinks here is high (unless, of course, it is a fake, of which you can find many here).

The country produces many alcoholic drinks. The national drink is considered to be light local beer, of which the most popular brands are Safari, Kibo Gold, Kilimanjaro and Tasker (usually Kenyan). Also in Tanzania they produce very strong gin “Konyagi”, good liqueurs “Afrikoko” and “Amarula”, as well as “Dodoma” wines. Due to the secular nature of the state, in Tanzania, even despite strong Islamic traditions, imported alcoholic drinks can be purchased in any hotel or store.

Work of institutions

Banking hours: from 08.30 to 16.00 from Monday to Friday, from 08.30 to 13.00 on Saturday.

Store opening hours: from 08.30 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00 from Monday to Friday; from 08.30 to 12.30 on Saturday. Some shops are also open on Sunday.

Holidays and non-working days

Holidays and non-working days: The timing of holidays and public holidays in Tanzania is usually the same every year. If any of the following holidays falls on Saturday or Sunday, then the next day, Monday, is also a day off:

New Year - January 1
Zanzibar Revolution Day - January 12
Unification Day - April 26
Workers' Day - May 1
Industrial Day - July 7
Peasants' Day - August 8
Independence Day - December 9
Christmas - December 25
Boxing Day - December 26
Good Friday holiday - according to the calendar date.
Easter Monday - according to calendar dates.

Islamic holidays:
Iddi El Fitry - 2nd day of the new moon
Iddi El Haji - 1st day of the new moon
Maulid Day - 1st day of the new moon.

Customs and orders

Tanzania's culture is multifaceted and diverse, thanks to the country's rich history and various colonial periods, loyalty and close interaction with other countries and cultures.

On the territory of Tanzania, such indigenous ethnic groups of Africa as the Bantu (the most famous of which are the Makonde tribes) and the Maasai still live, practically unchanged.

Even the etymology of one of the official languages ​​of the country, Swahili, speaks of the versatility of the culture and history of Tanzania. This language was formed due to long-term active interaction between the Arab peoples and the indigenous inhabitants of Africa.

Thanks to the vastness of the occupied territories, many representatives of the country's indigenous population managed to preserve their original traditions and foundations. At the same time, the symbiosis of different traditions in densely populated areas of the country was determined alternately by the Persian-Arab invasion (the Swahili were actively involved in international trade), and then by Portuguese, German and British colonialization.

Each tribal or religious group has its own customs and traditions regarding food consumption. In some tribes, women are not allowed to eat eggs or chicken. In some tribes, the father-in-law is prohibited from eating at the same table with his daughter-in-law. In other tribes, men are not allowed to enter the kitchen. In Muslim families, men and women eat separately.

Hospitality here is one of the basics of etiquette. The hostess and head of the family usually always greet guests at the doorstep. At parting, the whole family usually gathers and the whole family accompanies the guest right up to the door of the car. When parting, it is customary to say to the hosts “Asante sana” (“thank you very much for your hospitality”). Small souvenirs for family members are accepted. In Islamic families, increased attention to the hostess is not welcomed, but in families of African origin this will be the best compliment to the house. It is also customary to praise children (but you should not touch them, especially their heads, without the permission of the parents), the house and the wealth of the owner. Before visiting a local family, it is a good idea to find out their social status in the tribe or community, and base your conversation on that. In Islamic families, women usually gather separately from men, at their own table, but when communicating with foreigners, this tradition can be ignored, but only by agreement with the owner of the house.

Greeting etiquette is very important. The type of greeting depends on the person’s status and age. A common greeting among Swahili tribes among well-known people is “Khujambo, habari gani” (“How are you?”, “What’s the news?”) or simply “Jumbo!” A group of people is greeted with the word "hatujambo". The word "shikamu" is used to greet respected people. Young children are taught to greet their elders by kissing their hands or kneeling before them. Friends who meet after a long separation usually shake hands and kiss each other on both cheeks. When communicating with foreigners, they often use a handshake and the traditional English “Hello”.

In Tanzania, as in many other parts of Africa, the right hand is considered “clean” and the left hand “dirty”. Therefore, the right hand is used for eating or exchanging gifts. The polite way to accept a gift is to first touch the gift with your right hand, and then the right hand of the giver.

Behavior at the table is also determined by many norms. Typically, a traditional meal takes place on mats on the floor, with food placed on low tables. But in many continental families, meals take place in a European way - at the table. You can take food from a common plate with your hands and put it on your own plate, or you can eat from a common dish. The main thing is to ensure that food crumbs do not fall into the common dish or onto other people’s plates. In Zanzibar it is customary to give guests fresh clove shoots to flavor the mouth before eating. The sequence of dishes is traditional for East African countries - soup is served first, and then appetizers and main course. The lunch ends with coffee and sweets. Light snacks and greens usually remain on the table throughout lunch.

Rice, cassava and other side dishes are eaten with the hands, folding three fingers of the right hand into a pinch (hands should be washed before and after eating and dried with a towel, which is passed around the table). You can also handle meat and fish with your hands, but in many homes there are always European cutlery on the table that you can use along with your hands. Bread and cakes are usually broken by hand and used as a spoon. The soles of the feet should not be directed in any direction; usually they are tucked under oneself or sitting cross-legged. It is not customary to eat while standing or on the go.

You cannot walk around those praying in front. Shoes should be removed when entering mosques and houses.

The general lifestyle of Tanzanians can be characterized by two phrases - “hakuna matata” (“no problem”) and “field-field” (“calmly”, “not in a hurry”). These phrases can describe the attitude of Tanzanians towards everything around them. Service in a restaurant or travel agency is extremely slow. If a Tanzanian said “one second,” it could mean 15 minutes or half an hour. At the same time, to all attempts to hurry them up, the local residents smile radiantly and continue to act at a leisurely pace. It is useless to influence this in any way; you just need to come to terms with it and try to live in this rhythm yourself.

Adult women are often called by the name of their first child, which sometimes introduces some confusion into communication. For example, after the birth of a boy named Juma or a girl named Christina, their mother will be called Mama-Juma or Mama-Christina. Men take marriage extremely seriously. After the wedding, the young man will have to behave like some ancestor he chose at the time of marriage as a role model. Ancestors are “consulted” in difficult times, they are given honors and are never discussed either within the family or with strangers. Therefore, you should not be surprised if a completely modern man, when solving some problem, suddenly declares “this is what my ancestors told me” or “I will consult with my ancestors.” For the same reason, a discussion of family genealogy can also only begin with the consent of the owner.

Precautionary measures

The locals are smiling, friendly and helpful. The attitude towards Russian tourists is very good. However, with all this, the white sahib in Tanzania should not move away from the main streets of cities - to avoid the risk of being robbed by smiling natives.

Also, do not carry large sums of money with you or wear expensive gold jewelry. At night, you should avoid deserted, unfamiliar places. When walking, it is better to take a photocopy of your international passport with you, and leave the passport, money and air ticket for safekeeping in the hotel safe.

You cannot drink tap water in the country - only from bottles, after checking that they are well sealed. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth, and making ice must be boiled or otherwise disinfected. Pasteurized milk and dairy products are completely safe for consumption, and meat and fish can only be eaten well-fried or cooked.

Carefully ensure that there are no mosquitoes in your room, try in every possible way to avoid mosquito bites, sleep with the air conditioner on and under a mosquito net, and be sure to use repellent. It is recommended to cover exposed areas of the body during safari. If you do find yourself with a mosquito bite, then you have nothing to worry about unless you are taking the antimalarial drug Lariam.

Here, nature conservation is a common cause. Holidays in Tanzania involve your participation in the environmental system - you need to do little - just do not pick up pieces of bones, skins, horns, feathers or shells. The same goes for corals, shells or starfish on the coast, as they play an important role in the fragile ecosystem of the islands. Don't litter in nature! Protection of national culture is also one of the important tasks. Guides and guides are familiar with local customs and traditions. You can always consult with them on any questions that arise. You should ask permission before taking a photo.

Tanzania is a country in East Africa. It consists of the mainland (Tanganyika), washed on the east by the Indian Ocean, and the large coastal islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. Tanzania is part of the British Commonwealth.

Most of the country is located on the East African Plateau. The territory of Tanzania covers part of the largest lakes in Africa - Lake Victoria in the north, Lake Tanganyika (which is often called the twin of Lake Baikal) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the south of Tanzania. The highest mountains in Africa are Kilimanjaro (5895 m). The total length of land borders is 3,402 km, of which with Burundi - 451 km, with Kenya - 769 km, Malawi - 475 km, with Mozambique - 756 km, with Rwanda - 217 km, with Uganda - 396 km and with Zambia - 338 km.

Area of ​​Tanzania: total - 945,087 km2. Coastline: 1424 km. The island territories consist of the Zanzibar archipelago (the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia, etc.).

Tanzania has two capitals: the administrative center is the historical capital of Dar es Salaam, and the legislative center is Dodoma, where the government moved the main bodies in the 1970s.

Tanzania is a republic. The head of state and head of government is the president, elected by the population for a 5-year term, with the possibility of a second consecutive term. On December 14, 2005, the candidate from the ruling Revolutionary Party, Tanzanian Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikwete, won the presidential election, gaining more than 80% of the votes. His main opponent was Ibrahim Lipumba, the candidate of the opposition Civil United Front. Parliament is a unicameral State Assembly (Bunge), 274 deputies, of which 232 are elected by the population for a 5-year term, 37 women deputies are personally appointed by the president, and 5 deputies are appointed by the autonomous parliament of Zanzibar.

Relief of Tanzania

Most of Tanzania's territory is located on the East African Plateau. Along the western and southwestern borders there are deep tectonic valleys and highlands of Giant Craters (Meru volcanoes, Africa's highest mountain Kilimanjaro (5895 m) and others. The Indian Ocean coast is a narrow strip of lowlands.

The lower and drier part of the plateau occupies the whole of southern Tanzania. The soils here are of a lighter composition, are susceptible to erosion and are quickly depleted. There is little precipitation, and it is distributed unevenly across the seasons. The tsetse fly, a carrier of sleeping sickness among humans and Nagana disease among domestic animals, is found here.

The central and northern parts of the plateau rise to 1200-1500 m. In some places there is moderate rainfall, and fertile soils are common.

The country's territory includes part of the largest lakes in Africa - Lake Victoria in the north, Lake Tanganyika (which is often called the twin of Baikal) in the west, Lake Nyasa in the south of Tanzania, as well as the drainless salt lakes Rukwa, Natron, Eyasi. The main rivers of the country - Pangani, Rufiji (the only navigable river in the lower reaches) and Ruvuma flow into the Indian Ocean.

Climate of Tanzania

The climate is subequatorial monsoon, hot, seasonally humid. Average monthly temperatures range from 12-15 to 25-27 degrees C. In the north there are two rainy seasons (March - May and September - November), in the south there is one (November - April).

The greatest amount of precipitation falls on the western coast of Lake Victoria (up to 2000 mm per year), the least - on the inland plateaus (about 250 mm). In most of Tanzania, the dry season lasts 5-7 months. The alternation between dry and wet seasons is especially noticeable in the mountainous northeast and on the Masai plateau.

There are problems of drought and forest fires. It happened that drought led to a decrease in the water level in reservoirs feeding hydroelectric power stations to a critical level, as a result of which strict rationing of electricity supply was introduced throughout the country. Heavy rains also cause significant damage. So, as a result of heavy rains at the end of 1997 - beginning of 1998. Agricultural facilities were destroyed, roads were washed away, bridges were demolished.

The climate on the islands is humid, the average daytime temperature is plus 28-30 degrees, sea breezes make the weather very pleasant. The water temperature in the Indian Ocean is 24-26 degrees. In the central part (1200-1700 m above sea level) the average temperature is plus 22-25 degrees, nights can be cool.

Flora of Tanzania

In the west and south of the country there are tropical dry deciduous woodlands, in the coastal lowlands - park savannas, in the central and north-eastern regions - grassy savannas. Moist evergreen forests and shrubs grow on the slopes of the mountains. Despite its proximity to the equator, Tanzania is characterized by various types of savannas: shrubby, park, mountain park, grassy. Along with miombo forests (light tropical forests of deciduous trees), savannas occupy most of the territory. Mangroves are found along the ocean coast and at river mouths. Dense tropical forests remain only around lakes in the west of the country and in the floodplains of some rivers. Even conifers, such as cedar and pine, grow on the slopes of high mountains. Pterocarpus angola is found in the park forests, the valuable wood of which is used to make high-quality furniture and wall cladding.

Wildlife of Tanzania

Tanzania is one of the few countries on the African continent where representatives of a rich tropical fauna have been preserved in natural conditions. The savannas are home to several species of antelope (wildebeest, kongoni, topi, stenbok, springbok and others), as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, elephants and giraffes.

Characterized by an abundance of monkeys, of the monkeys in the far north-west there are chimpanzees, and in the Kilimanjaro region - gorillas. Along the rivers there are hippos and crocodiles.

The world of birds is unusually rich and diverse. There are especially many waterfowl. In the higher regions of the country, ostriches can occasionally be seen. Poisonous snakes include the black mamba and the African viper.

However, the animal world has become significantly impoverished as a result of prolonged extermination. Large animals are preserved mainly in nature reserves and national parks, the largest of which are Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Ruaha, Arusha, Manyama, Mikumi, Kilimanjaro, Rungwa. Particularly famous is the Serengeti National Park (15.5 thousand sq. km), the only one in the world where natural seasonal migrations of wild animals occur. Ngorongoro is located in the area of ​​a huge volcanic crater; its caldera, the largest in the world, is distinguished by an extraordinary richness of fauna.

National parks of Tanzania

There are 15 national parks in Tanzania, which are managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority or TANAPA, headquartered in the city of Arusha. According to international studies, the service is one of the most productive in Africa - it employs 1,650 people who serve 15 existing and one planned national park (Saanane). The main objective of the service is to preserve the existing biodiversity and rich natural heritage of the country. The national park system contains World Heritage Sites (4 out of 7 sites in Tanzania) and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (2 out of 3 sites in the country).

In the north of the country, in the center there are national parks Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Mkomazi, Lake Manyana, Rubondo Island, Serengeti, Taranjir. Arusha Park is located in close proximity to the city of Arusha, the northern safari center of the country. The park was recently expanded to include the Mount Meru Forest Reserve. Kilimanjaro Park, which also recently received additional area, is designed to protect the highest point in Africa. Lake Manyara includes Lake Manyara, located along the rift wall. Mkomazi Park, located on the border with Kenya, is the country's youngest park, established in 2008. Rubondo Island in the southwestern part of Lake Victoria is home to the Rubondo Island National Park. The Serengeti National Park includes the Ngorongoro Crater. In the future, it is planned to increase the area of ​​the park. Tarangire National Park is located on the river of the same name.

In the northeast of the country, on the coast of the Indian Ocean between the cities of Tanga and Dar es Salaam, Saadini Park is located. To the east, in the Udzungwa Mountains, lies the Udzungwa Mountains Park. Gombe Stream National Park is located on the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the western part of the country. Mahali Mountains Park is also located on the shores of the lake in the Mahali Mountains. In the center of the country is Ruaha Park. With its recent expansion in size, the park has become the largest in Tanzania. In the southwest of the country, near Lake Rukwa at the end of the rift valley, there is Katavi Park. In the south of the country there is Kitulo Park, also known as the Garden of the Gods. Currently, the issue of increasing the area of ​​the park at the expense of the forests of Mount Rungwe is being considered. In the southeast are the Selous Nature Reserve and Mikumi Park.

Population of Tanzania

Population 38.860 million (estimated as of October 2009). In the country, only the city of Dar es Salaam has a population of more than 1 million people. Annual growth - 2%. Fertility - 4.5 births per woman. Infant mortality is 69 per 1000 births. Average life expectancy is 50 years for men, 53 years for women. Infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is 6.2% (2007 estimate).

Ethnic composition - in the mainland - 99% blacks, mainly Bantu peoples (hehe, Shambhala, Sukuma, Kuria, Ha, etc.), 1% - Asians (mostly Indians), whites, Arabs. In Zanzibar there are mainly Arabs, blacks and mestizos of Arab-Negro origin.

The official languages ​​are Swahili and English, Arabic is widespread in Zanzibar, and there are many local Bantu languages ​​on the mainland. Religions - in the mainland - Christians 30%, Muslims 35%, aboriginal cults 35%; in Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslims.

Source - http://ru.wikipedia.org/
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TANZANIA, United Republic of Tanzania, a state in East Africa. It consists of two parts - mainland (formerly Tanganyika) and island (islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, etc.). Mainland Tanzania is bordered by Uganda to the north, Kenya to the northeast, Burundi and Rwanda to the northwest, Mozambique to the south, Malawi and Zambia to the southwest, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. . In the east it is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean, in the west - lake. Tanganyika, in the southwest - lake. Nyasa, in the north - lake. Victoria. In 1974 the capital was moved from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma. The transfer of the capital was due to the government's desire to transfer part of the cash flow inland from the more developed coast. Although Dodoma is now the official capital, in many respects Dar es Salaam still retains its capital functions. Most government agencies, foreign embassies and representative offices of international organizations are still located here.

Nature.

Surface structure and climate.

Based on the nature of the relief, the territory of Tanzania is divided into three regions: the coastal lowland with islands; a vast inland plateau (part of the East African Plateau) with grabens of the East African Rift Zone; several isolated mountain ranges and volcanoes with Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. Many areas of the country suffer from water shortages. Sources of water supply are the Pangani, Rufiji and Ruvuma rivers flowing into the Indian Ocean and their tributaries, lakes Nyasa, Tanganyika and Victoria.

The strip of coastal lowlands is swampy in places, especially at river mouths. Mangroves are common there. At a short distance from the coast, under conditions of normal flow, fertile soils are developed. The climate is equatorial-monsoon, hot, seasonally humid. Average annual precipitation often exceeds 1000 mm. Moderate rains are typical for November-December, light rains occur in December-April and heavy rains in April-May. Average temperatures in Dar es Salaam range from 23°C in June to 28°C in January. The climate is similar on the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, but there is more rainfall and the soils are fertile and intensively cultivated.

The lower and drier part of the plateau occupies the whole of southern Tanzania. The soils here are of a lighter composition, are susceptible to erosion and are quickly depleted. There is little precipitation, and it is distributed unevenly across the seasons. The tsetse fly, a carrier of sleeping sickness among humans and nagana disease among domestic animals, is found here. In Swahili, this barren and sparsely populated area is called "nyika". The central and northern parts of the plateau rise to 1200–1500 m. In some places there is moderate rainfall, and fertile soils are common. Agriculture is widespread, although only a few areas have water available all year round and only the higher areas are free from tsetse flies. The average annual rainfall within the plateau ranges from 650 to 900 mm, with the wet season lasting from November to April. However, the start date of this season and the total amount of precipitation varies greatly, which affects agriculture. In November-December there are short refreshing showers alternating with clear days. Then dry weather prevails for several months, but in March a period of prolonged rains begins, which covers April and sometimes May. From mid-May, dry weather sets in and prevails until November. Temperatures are moderate, decreasing with altitude. In Mwanza (1170 m above sea level) the average temperature in June is 20° C, in January 22° C.

The plateau is intersected in the meridional direction by the East African Rift Zone, formed as a result of significant subsidence of the earth's crust along parallel faults. In the south, the lake basin is confined to this zone. Nyasa, whose level is located at an altitude of 475 m above sea level. In the western fault there is a lake. Tanganyika, and the eastern branch, characterized by a sinuous configuration, crosses central Tanzania. Further to the north, this zone branches into western and eastern. The height of the surface in the axial part of the zone is 600–900 m, and the surface of the plateau rises above it by many tens of meters. Lakes Nyasa, Tanganyika and Victoria (occupying a shallow depression in the north of the plateau) are of important transport importance. The areas adjacent to lakes Nyasa and Tanganyika receive more precipitation than the rest of the plateau, with their annual amount ranging from 1000 to 1500 mm or more.

The highest regions of Tanzania contain isolated volcanic mountains, small mountain ranges and ridges. In the north these are the Usambara mountains, Meru volcanoes (4567 m) and Kilimanjaro with Kibo peak (5895 m). In the south, the Livingston Mountains stand out, stretching along the northeastern coast of the lake. Nyasa. In general, the mountains receive more rainfall than other areas of the country and have more fertile soils. In the middle parts of the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, which are quite suitable for agriculture, more than 1300 mm of precipitation falls per year. Average temperatures in the coolest months are 13–16° C, and in the warmest months – 18–21° C.

Natural flora and fauna.

Dense tropical forests remain only around lakes in the west of the country and in the floodplains of some rivers. The most common plant formations are dry low-grass savannas with acacias and thickets of thorny bushes. There are also park forests on the plateau. Coastal areas contain native and introduced species of mango and introduced coconut palm. Even conifers, such as cedar and pine, grow on the slopes of high mountains. Pterocarpus angola is found in the park forests, the valuable wood of which is used to make high-quality furniture and wall cladding.

The savannas are home to several species of antelope (wildebeest, kongoni, topi, stenbok, springbok, etc.), as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, elephants and giraffes. Characterized by an abundance of monkeys, of the monkeys in the far north-west there are chimpanzees, and in the Kilimanjaro region there are gorillas. Along the rivers there are hippos and crocodiles. The world of birds is unusually rich and diverse. There are especially many waterfowl. In the higher regions of the country, ostriches can occasionally be seen. Poisonous snakes include the black mamba and the African viper.

Tanzania is famous for its famous protected areas. Particularly famous is the Serengeti National Park (15.5 thousand sq. km), the only one in the world where natural seasonal migrations of wild animals occur. The adjacent Ngorongoro National Park is confined to a huge volcanic crater; its caldera, the largest in the world, is distinguished by its extraordinary richness of fauna. Nearby is the Olduvai Gorge, where Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the skulls and bones of human ancestors. Here it was first established that Australopithecus and Homo habilis lived at the same time, ca. 1.5 million years ago.

POPULATION

Demography.

According to the 1988 census, 23.2 million people lived in Tanzania, of which 22.5 million lived on the mainland and 0.6 million in Zanzibar and Pemba.

In 2004, the country's population was 36.59 million people.

The population of mainland Tanzania is almost entirely African. The vast majority of them are employed in agriculture. Following government control of the economy, many non-Africans lost their jobs and emigrated. After Africans, the most significant part of the population were people from Asia, mainly from India and Pakistan, but in the two decades after 1961 their numbers decreased from 88.7 thousand to 20 thousand. Of the 23 thousand Europeans in 1961, only 1 thousand remain today .

Before the revolution of 1964 approx. 76% of the population of Zanzibar were Africans, 17% Arabs, 6% Indians, and the rest were people from the Comoros and Europeans. The Arabs monopolized not only political power, but also the plantation economy. Trade was predominantly in the hands of Indians and to a lesser extent Arabs. During the revolution, many Arabs were killed. The Abeid Karume government that came to power took a number of discriminatory measures against ethnic minorities. As a result, about three-quarters of Arabs and Asians emigrated from Zanzibar.

Ethnic composition.

There are approximately 120 ethnic and linguistic groups in Tanzania. About 94% of the mainland's rural population speaks Bantu languages. The most numerous people are the Sukuma. It is concentrated in the northwest and makes up 13% of the population of mainland Tanzania; related Nyamwezi live in the western and central parts of the country; Makonde – on the coast; Khaya – in the area of ​​the lake. Victoria; chaga - on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru, where they grow coffee; gogo live in the central regions and ha - in the west near the lake. Tanganyika. The remaining peoples of the mainland are predominantly pastoralists who speak Shari-Nile languages ​​(Masai, etc.). Several small ethnic groups, including the Sandawe and Hadsa, speak Khoisan languages. The majority of the population of Zanzibar are descendants of African slaves brought from the mainland by the Arabs, and the Shirazi people, whose ancestors came from Iran many centuries ago and mixed with the local population.

Until the early 1970s, most of the population of mainland Tanzania lived in isolated family households as farmers or nomadic pastoralists. In the period 1974–1977, many villages were united into approximately 7.5 thousand large standard rural settlements. In the new villages, traditional social institutions were eliminated, and leadership functions were transferred to representatives of the ruling party or state.

Language.

Although Africans in different parts of the country speak different local languages, the language of interethnic communication is Swahili. It is one of the Bantu languages, enriched with borrowings from Arabic and, to a lesser extent, from Hindi and English. Swahili is taught in primary and secondary schools. Swahili has been the official language of Tanzania since 1967, but English is still widely used in government and business. Teaching at the University of Dar es Salaam is conducted in English.

Religion.

About a third of Tanzanians are Muslims, one fourth are Christians, and the rest are adherents of local traditional beliefs.

Government system and politics.

On December 9, 1961, Tanganyika gained independence. The national liberation struggle was led by the mass party Tanganyika African National Union (TANU). The country had a parliament and a government, but formally the head of state was the English monarch. In December 1962, Tanganyika was proclaimed a republic, and the president became the head of the executive branch. In January 1964, by decree of the country's first president, TANU leader Julius Nyerere, an authoritative commission was established to consider changes to the TANU charter, the executive system and the procedure for electing representative bodies in order to make the one-party system legitimate and give it a democratic character.

Zanzibar gained independence in December 1963, but power remained in the hands of the Arab oligarchy. As a result of the victory of the revolution in January 1964, power passed to the Afro-Shirazi (ASP) and Umma (People) parties, which expressed the interests of Africans. The leader of the ASP, Abeid Karume, became the chairman of the highest authority - the Revolutionary Council. The more radical Umma Party later became part of the TSA, which became the only legal political organization in Zanzibar. In April 1964, the governments of Tanganyika and Zanzibar decided to unite both states, and Zanzibaris were included in the government and constitutional commission of Tanzania. The recommendations of this commission formed the basis of the interim constitution of 1965, which officially recognized the one-party system in Tanzania. In 1977, a new constitution was adopted, which established the leading role of the party. At the same time, TANU and TSA merged into a single Revolutionary Party - Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CHM).

From 1965 to 1993, Tanzania was a country with a one-party system, and African socialism was recognized as the goal of development. In 1965, Julius Nyerere, as president of the country and chairman of the Black Sea Cup, significantly strengthened his authority. The party congress nominated his candidacy for the post of president and head of the executive branch, after which it was approved in a popular referendum. During the years of the one-party system, the president was assisted by two vice-presidents, one of whom was also the president of Zanzibar, and the other was the prime minister, responsible for the day-to-day running of the government. Ministers were appointed from among the members of the National Assembly. The size of the National Assembly has changed over time, and its representativeness has expanded. For example, in 1984, among 228 parliamentarians, 118 were elected from mainland Tanzania and 50 from Zanzibar, in addition, 5 were appointed by the House of Representatives of Zanzibar (where the Zanzibar government in charge of internal affairs remained), 15 female deputies were appointed by the National Assembly. The remaining seats were reserved for 15 members of parliament, appointed by the president, and the heads of all 25 regions of the country.

During the years of the one-party regime, the leading role in the political life of the country was played by the ruling party ChChM. Apart from her, only organizations controlled by her could exist legally. To reach the rural population, five mass public organizations were created, uniting women, youth, parents of students, elderly people and co-operators. The authorities strictly regulated the activities of all mass associations. The creation of alternative organizations was prohibited. The party also controlled trade unions, which were more a tool for strengthening party control than organizations defending the interests of workers.

There was no freedom of speech in Tanzania during the 1970s and 1980s. There was an atmosphere of suspicion towards imaginary external and internal enemies who allegedly hindered the country's progress towards a bright future. Such sentiments in society especially intensified during the economic crisis of the early 1980s.

Although the one-party system was in principle anti-democratic, the country held elections for local, regional and national authorities, and Nyerere's candidacy for the presidency was approved in popular referendums in 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1980. In 1985, Nyerere resigned as president, but remained Chairman of the ChChM. The new president of the country was Zanzibari Ali Hassan Mwinyi, who held this post from October 1985 to 1995. Despite the defeat of many prominent party figures in the 1985 elections, determining the political and economic course of the country remained the prerogative of the CFM. The popularly elected parliament has long turned into a body obedient to the Black Sea Council.

ChChM had an extensive network of local organizations. Every ten houses formed a primary party cell. The leaders of the cells were the main support of the ChChM on the ground. There was a strict hierarchy in party and government bodies, and all important decisions were made at the very top. All that was required from the lower classes was the approval and implementation of the decisions of the party and the government.

In the 1990s, Nyerere began to move toward abandoning the one-party system. In 1991, a specially created commission (the Nyalali Commission) began to determine public opinion regarding changes in the political system. After discussing this issue at conferences and seminars at the end of 1991, the commission submitted a report to the government. In February 1992, parliament approved amendments to the constitution that provided for the introduction of a multi-party system.

The liberalization of political life has caused profound changes in the country. The granting of freedom of speech accelerated the creation of several press organs and eased political tensions. After the removal of party-state control over the activities of public associations, a number of non-governmental organizations appeared. The goal of many of them was to support the social sphere (primarily health care and education), which was previously financed by the state. Other organizations discussed land reform, environmental protection, women's rights, and so on. In 1993, political parties were created and began preparations for the 1995 elections.

13 political parties took part in these elections, but only four of them nominated their candidates for the presidency. The ChChM won a convincing victory, whose candidates were elected to the highest government posts. Benjamin Mkapa became the President of Tanzania, Omar Juma became the first vice-president and prime minister of the mainland, and Salmin Amour became the second vice-president and president of Zanzibar. The CCM achieved control not only over the executive branch, but also won 214 of the 275 seats in the new National Assembly. The largest opposition force in the elections was the National Convention for Creation and Reform (NCCR), led by the famous anti-corruption activist Augustin Mrema. The NCSR received the greatest support in the Kilimanjaro region, Mrema's homeland. In the presidential elections, he won 27.8% of the vote, and his party won 19 parliamentary seats. Representatives of the influential United Civil Front (UCF) party in Zanzibar received 28 parliamentary seats, but its candidate collected only 6.4% of the votes in the presidential elections. Two other opposition parties each won several seats in parliament: the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Party for Democracy and Progress (CHADEMA).

The CCM formed a government of 23 ministers. It is noteworthy that many former senior party members were not offered positions in the new government. After the elections, the position of the ChChM government strengthened, which was facilitated by the conflict within the NKSR, the most influential party. In 1997, a struggle began between Augustin Mrema and the rest of the NCSR executive committee for control of the organization. After numerous publications in the press about internal party strife, the number of NKSR supporters sharply decreased. Many voters previously saw Mrem as a contender for the presidency of Tanzania, but only if he showed qualities worthy of a statesman. The union with Zanzibar was going through a difficult period due to accusations of rigging the results of elections on the island, which allowed the CFM to take a majority of seats in parliament there. As a sign of protest, UCF activists carried out a long boycott of parliament. Relations between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar remain tense.

In 1997, a report became public knowledge, which provided numerous documentary evidence of widespread corruption in government structures. Passions were also boiling over plans for a radical land reform that would legislate the right of private ownership of land. Since Tanzania has a strong tradition of collective land use and the popular perception is that land cannot be bought and sold, the government has decided to hold a broad debate on this issue. The discussion raised questions about women's right to own land and the relationship between nomadic pastoralists who move livestock to seasonal pastures and the government, which needs the land to create national parks and develop tourism.

During the second presidential election in 2000, Mpaka was re-elected to another five-year term with 71 percent of the vote, although the opposition refused to accept the election results and called for a boycott of the new parliament. Disappointment over the results of the last elections in 2001 led to violent demonstrations and accusations against the police. A series of rallies in Zanzibar calling for new elections turned violent, leaving about 40 people dead and many others injured. After the end of Mpaka's second term, in the presidential election, former Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikwete (of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi Party) won 80 percent of the popular vote and won. He appointed Edward Lowass as his prime minister and the government was sworn in in December 2005. Kikwete promised to continue his predecessor's economic reforms. In February 2008, the cabinet was dissolved by the president after a corruption scandal. The Prime Minister resigned. He was replaced by Misengo Pinda and a new cabinet was created.

Local government.

The territory of mainland Tanzania is administratively divided into 20 regions, the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba into 5 regions. The regions are divided into 70 districts. After the introduction of the one-party system in 1965, party structures were created at the level of villages and urban areas. Party representatives in rural areas were involved in resolving conflicts within and between family households, as well as disputes related to land use and access to water. These party bodies survived during the multi-party period, but their powers were reduced as local control of the Black Sea Council weakened.

At different times in Tanzania's history, regional and district governments have had varying powers. During colonial times, local authorities served as an important mechanism for implementing the policies of the metropolis. The colonialists left the leaders some of their traditional powers and created local councils. During the period of independence, the national government initially relied on these bodies, but as the central government strengthened, local administrative functions were gradually transferred to it. In the late 1960s, the government in Dar es Salaam removed the right of local councils to set their own budgets. In 1972 local governments were abolished. Instead of councils and an executive apparatus accountable to the population, regional and district committees were created locally, staffed by officials appointed by the central government. Behind the government's statements about its supposed decentralization policy was an intention to establish total local control, excluding any initiatives not sanctioned from above.

After the introduction of a multi-party system, the question of reform of local governments arose. Regional and district administrations now have greater powers and often seek to find sources of funding other than the state treasury.

Judicial system.

During the colonial period, the justice system consisted of two components. British magistrates tried civil and criminal cases in official courts, and chiefs and elders administered justice based on traditional customs. After the declaration of independence, unified courts of three instances were introduced. Cases that had been under the jurisdiction of the courts of chiefs and elders are now heard by justices of the peace, who are trained and appointed by the executive. Officially, legal proceedings according to traditional norms were abolished, but in fact, locally they continue to operate to one degree or another. There are still cases where courts make decisions based on common law in combination with local customs.

Armed forces.

In January 1964, two battalions of the Tanganyika army mutinied, demanding higher salaries and accelerating the process of Africanization of officers. After the mutiny was suppressed, the army was disbanded. The Tanzania People's Defense Forces were created, under the political and ideological control of TANU. Currently, the strength of the armed forces, including the Air Force and Navy, is estimated at approximately 40 thousand people. Internal security issues are the responsibility of the police (approximately 1,400 people) and the people's militia, which numbers 50,000 people. The Tanzanian army is equipped mainly with Soviet and Chinese weapons.

Foreign policy.

During the Cold War, Tanzania pursued a policy of non-alignment and self-reliance. The foreign policy course corresponded to the economic tasks of building African socialism. Tanzania had close ties with China, which provided it with significant assistance in creating transport infrastructure. She supported the national liberation movements in southern Africa, as one of the front-line states, she assisted the African National Congress (ANC) in the fight against apartheid in South Africa and opposed South Africa's intervention in the civil war in Angola and Mozambique. Tanzania has led the opposition to Idi Amin's dictatorial regime in neighboring Uganda. Thanks to the participation of the Tanzanian army, the Ugandan dictator was overthrown as a result of a two-year war in 1978–1979.

In the 1970s, attempts to create an East African Economic Community failed; the resulting disagreements led to the closure of the northern border with Kenya. In 1993, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya announced their intention to re-establish the East African Community. In recent years, Tanzanian diplomacy has been actively involved in finding ways to resolve conflicts in Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the states of Central and East Africa. The Tanzanian city of Arusha is home to the Rwanda International War Crimes Tribunal, created to prosecute those responsible for the 1994 genocide. Tanzania is a member of the Organization of African Unity, the UN and the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain.

Economy.

The model of socialism adopted in Tanzania after independence was based on two basic principles - self-reliance and equal distribution of public wealth. The implementation of this model was fraught with great difficulties and proved untenable mainly due to the focus of the Tanzanian economy on the export of agricultural products. Despite the arid climate and other unfavorable natural conditions, agriculture forms the basis of Tanzania's economy.

In the 1970s, the country's economy developed at a relatively fast pace, which was associated with high world prices for Tanzanian export products. The policy of forced creation of "socialist villages" alienated peasants from the land, and growth slowed. In the late 1970s, Tanzania entered a period of economic crisis. The fall in world prices for Tanzanian exports, the global oil crisis and the onerous war with Uganda led to a balance of payments imbalance. Internal political factors also played an important role. The state systematically underpaid peasants for export products and accumulated a significant portion of export income. Therefore, the peasants were faced with a dilemma: either produce less produce or sell a significant part of it on the black market. A socialist-type economy also presupposed the presence of political restrictions on economic activity. The Arusha Declaration of 1967 prohibited party functionaries and government officials from engaging in business and using hired labor. Despite the efforts of the Tanzanian leadership to prevent the personal enrichment of party elites and civil servants, the economic crisis of the 1980s gave rise to a large-scale underground economy. Party workers and government officials, faced with the impossibility of living on their salaries, took up entrepreneurial activity. Experts note that it is difficult to objectively assess the state of the Tanzanian economy, since it is almost impossible to determine the scale of the shadow economy.

In the early 1980s, the Tanzanian government made several attempts to adjust economic policies, but this did not help the ailing socialist economy. In 1986, Tanzania held negotiations with the IMF in order to obtain loans to carry out structural restructuring of the country's economy. The agreement reached meant a radical turn in the country's economic course, since the terms of the loans provided for the abandonment of socialist economic methods. Like most reform countries, Tanzania is privatizing its public sector of agriculture and industry. The IMF also demanded trade liberalization and the devaluation of the Tanzanian shilling. In recent years, as a result of the curtailment of social programs, peasants have lost state support, and now they have to rely only on themselves.

Tanzania remains a predominantly agricultural country, with 85% of the rural population employed in the agricultural sector. In 1997, agricultural exports accounted for 60% of all export earnings. Although the IMF has identified Tanzania as a country that has successfully achieved economic restructuring, the actual results are half-hearted at best. For the majority of peasants, production oriented towards the domestic market often does not even provide a subsistence level.

The total length of the country's highways is 90 thousand km, of which 18 thousand km are paved. The length of the railways is 3.5 thousand km. The largest seaports in Tanzania are Dar es Salaam and Tanga. Coastal shipping is developed along the coast. There are three international airports - Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar.

Foreign trade turnover in 1994 amounted to 1.8 billion dollars, imports - 1.4 billion (machinery and equipment, fuel, consumer goods), exports - 0.4 billion (tea, coffee, tobacco, sisal, a number of industrial goods and mineral raw materials).

External debt in 1995 exceeded $7 billion.

After lengthy debates, the National Commercial Bank, previously owned by the state, was privatized in 1997.

Education.

Seven years of primary education is compulsory. In the 1970s, universal primary education was an important element of the program for building socialism and self-reliance. Secondary education is selective; in order to continue studying in state secondary schools, primary school graduates must pass transition exams. As the process of economic liberalization deepens in the country, more and more private schools are being created, which are run by parental and religious organizations. Often educational institutions are subsidized from funds of international non-governmental organizations. Upon payment of the required amount, anyone can become a student at a private school. In 1997, the cost of education per student in a public high school was approx. $150 per year, the cost of tuition at a private school was slightly higher - approx. $200 per year.

To enter the university in Dar es Salaam, you must successfully pass the entrance exams. For a long time, the government provided subsidies for students to study, but now they must pay their own fees. Tanzania's premier university has always been a hotbed of free thought and a center of criticism of the government. In the 1980s, student organizations were the most organized force of opposition to the ruling regime.

Story.

Back in the 8th century. Zanzibar and other islands off the east coast of Africa were a base for Arabs trading with the mainland. These islands were called the country of Zenj. Over time, Zanzibar became an independent Muslim sultanate, developing trade relations with the countries of the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. In the 16th–17th centuries. it was under the rule of the Portuguese, and in the 18th century. came under the influence of the Sultans of Oman. In 1832, the Sultan of Oman, Said Sayyid, moved his residence to Zanzibar. Soon a large center for trading slaves, ivory and spices arose here. Trade routes rushed deep into the mainland and reached the region of Mount Kilimanjaro. Interaction with slave traders caused profound social changes. Thus, the tribal leaders and even some common people living in the Pare Mountains became rich and gained great influence by supplying food and everything necessary to traders and porters on the route between the coast and Kilimanjaro. Thus, trade undermined established power structures and stimulated wealth stratification. At the end of the 19th century. The areas surrounding Kilimanjaro became the center of activity for Christian missionaries. The development of different regions was uneven. Those who had the opportunity to get an education in missionary schools or get rich servicing trade caravans were ahead. For a long time, the Kilimanjaro region occupied a central place in the economic life of the country. Trade routes also created new dangers, since local peasants could easily become prey to slave traders.

At the end of the 19th century. Zanzibar was turned into a British protectorate, and the mainland of modern Tanzania (Tanganyika) was turned into a colony within German East Africa. Soon the first settlements of German settlers appeared here; the mountainous region of Usambara with a cooler climate was especially popular. In 1905–1906, the Germans brutally suppressed the protests of the local population. After World War I, Germany lost Tanganyika, which became a League of Nations mandate under British rule. The British administration incorporated local traditional institutions into the system of colonial administration. Where these institutions did not exist, they were created artificially, justifying this by the need to respect local traditions. In some localities, the leaders competed with each other for the favor of the British, since the support of the colonial administration provided them with greater opportunities to enrich themselves and strengthen their power. The British established the production of cash crops, including cotton. To neutralize the anti-colonial opposition, the British administration tried to establish social security for the local population. Opposition against the introduction of new taxes in the Pare region in 1949 accelerated the colonial authorities' decision to develop an education and health care system. It was believed that these measures would instill a friendly attitude towards the British authorities.

However, anti-colonial sentiment spread among members of peasant associations that were founded in the 1920s in cash crop producing areas. Coffee growers' associations in Kilimanjaro and Buhaya (western Tanzania), as well as other similar associations, were created to help farmers control agricultural pests and sell their products. The viability of the colonial system was undermined during the global economic crisis of the 1930s, when the costs of administering colonies increased.

After World War II, Tanganyika became a UN trust territory under British administration. In the 1950s, the national movement intensified, and in December 1961 Tanganyika gained independence. Zanzibar followed suit on December 10, 1963, and in January 1964 there was a coup, as a result of which the African majority of the population overthrew the dynasty of Arab sultans who had long ruled on this island.

In April 1964, Zanzibar and Tanganyika entered the federation of the United Republic of Tanzania, but the rapprochement of both parts of the federation occurred only in 1977. Despite the constant statements of government officials that a classless society has been created in Tanzania, free from interethnic contradictions, recently an alliance between both parts of the state became less durable. The shortage of many necessary goods and life on the brink of survival in an economic crisis are associated in the minds of the population with government programs for structural restructuring of the economy. Economic difficulties exacerbated ethno-religious differences between Christians and Muslims, which affected relations between Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Political contradictions arose during the first multi-party elections in 1995 between the ruling Revolutionary Party (RPP), which enjoys support on the mainland, and opposition parties operating in Zanzibar.

Tanzania in the 21st century

During the second presidential elections held in 2000, Mpaka was re-elected to another five-year term, but the opposition did not recognize the election results and called for a boycott of the new parliament. In 2001, demonstrations and accusations against the police began in the country. A series of rallies in Zanzibar calling for new elections turned violent, leaving about 40 people dead and many others injured.

In the new presidential elections, former Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikwete (from the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party) won with 80 percent of the popular vote. He appointed Edward Lowass as prime minister, and the government was sworn in in December 2005. Kikwete promised to continue his predecessor's economic reforms. In February 2008, the cabinet was dissolved by the president after a corruption scandal. The Prime Minister resigned. He was replaced by Misengo Pinda and a new cabinet was created.

Tanzania is located on the continent of Africa, in GMT+3 time zone (with current time: 17:32, Wednesday). Offset from its time zone: h. The country is located on an area of ​​945087 km² with a population of about 41.9 million people. Neighboring countries: Mozambique, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Zambia, Burundi, Uganda, Malawi.

The capital of the country Tanzania?

The capital of Tanzania is Dodoma.

TZA latitude and longitude

Tanzania on the world map

Tanzania

Largest cities in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam
Mwanza
Zanzibar
Arusha
Mbeya
Morogoro
Tanga
Dodoma
Kigoma
Moshi
Tabora

Tanzania, United Republic / Constitutional foundations, characteristics of the form of government

Between 1961, when Tanganyika's independence was declared, and 1977, when the permanent constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania was adopted, Tanzania underwent five constitutions:

Constitution of Independence - the first constitution of independent Tanganyika was put into effect on December 9, 1961 by a proclamation of the British Governor-General and was an annex to the Constitutional Order in Council - an act of the English Crown that legally formalized the approval of the first constitution in states that were former British colonies.

Tanganyika was declared a dominion within the Commonwealth of Nations. The legislative powers of the English Parliament on its territory were abolished.

The National Assembly (NA) became the highest legislative body, but the head of state remained the Queen of England, represented in the country by the governor-general appointed by her.

Republican Constitution.

Map of Tanzania in Russian

On December 9, 1962, the Tanganyika Constituent Assembly adopted a new constitution, which declared Tanganyika a sovereign republic. The president of the republic was declared the head of state and government, and he also became the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The 1962 Constitution retained some features of the English parliament model, namely, the system of elections to parliament and local authorities, adapted to a multi-party system, according to which the organization of the highest bodies of state power and administration was provided for.

Provisional Constitution of the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

In connection with the formation of the United Republic of Tanzania in April 1964, the 1962 constitution was amended to provide for the division of competencies between the union bodies of the ORT and the government bodies of Zanzibar; on the representation of Zanzibar in the union government and parliament.

The modified constitution was called the Provisional Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania and Zanzibar 1964.

Provisional Constitution of 1965.

On July 8, 1965, the new Provisional Constitution came into force. Subsequently (it was in force for 12 years), numerous amendments and additions were made, the most significant after the adoption of the Arusha Declaration. The 1965 constitution reflected some features characteristic of the constitutional legislation of those African countries that declared a socialist orientation, namely: a declaration that political power belongs to the people; consolidating the position that the people exercise this power through their revolutionary democratic party; consolidation in the constitution of the leading role of the revolutionary democratic party, which is the united national democratic front of all the revolutionary forces of the country and serves as the political basis of the state; formulation in basic legislation of a new social and legal status of a citizen; prohibition of racial, national and tribal discrimination; securing state property for the people as the basis for the development of the state along a non-capitalist path.

In this constitution, the tendency to strengthen and centralize executive power was further developed - all power is concentrated in the hands of the president.

The permanent constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977, with a number of amendments, is in force to this day. It was adopted by the National Assembly on April 25, 1977.

It consists of a preamble and 10 chapters. There are 152 articles in the constitution, making it one of the longest in the world. Changes and additions were made to it 14 times. Nevertheless, there is a growing need for new changes to the constitution.

For example, it still defines Tanzania as a country with a socialist orientation, while the government implements free market principles and practices.

The Constitution proclaims democracy and socialism as the basic principles of the political system. The state must be “governed by society on the basis of the principles of democracy and socialism” (preamble). One of the stages in the development of democratic rights and freedoms was the inclusion of ORT in the constitution in 1984.

a series of articles called the Bill of Rights. It was this addition that legally secured such fundamental human rights and freedoms as the right to life, personal freedom, privacy, equality before the law for all men and women regardless of race, religion and social status, freedom of movement, freedom of speech, conscience, etc. Further.

Citizens are also given the right to work, to remuneration for work without any discrimination, forced labor is prohibited; the right to participate in the management of state affairs: receiving education and information (Art.

12–19). The Articles on the Duties of Citizens (25–28) deal with the observance of the constitution; protection of freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity of the country, state property. Until 1992, the leading role of the Revolutionary Party was enshrined in the constitution. In 1992, an amendment was introduced to introduce a multi-party system in the country.

According to the form of government, Tanzania is a federation, the members of which are Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

The jurisdiction of federal bodies includes: changes to the constitution; external relations; defense; citizenship; international trade; transport and communications; money turnover; higher education, etc. Zanzibar has its own constitution (dated January 12, 1980, as amended in 1984), its own authorities and administration and judicial system.

Tanzania is a presidential republic. Art. 3 of the Tanzanian Constitution defines the United Republic as “a democratic and socialist state which adheres to the principle of multi-party democracy.”

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• Countries of the world
• Africa
• East Africa
  • Year of formation
  • Geographical location, area, borders
  • Population
  • Human Development Index 1990–2012
  • Language(s)
  • Pre-colonial period
  • Colonial period
  • Beginning of the period of independent development
  • Modern period of development
  • State and nation formation
  • Constitutional foundations, characteristics of the form of government
  • Separation and interaction of various branches of government
  • Features of the executive branch
  • Heads of state (presidents) 1962–2014
  • Heads of government (prime ministers) 1972–2014
  • Heads of the Republic of Zanzibar (presidents) 1964–2014
  • Heads of the Republic of Zanzibar (chief ministers) 1983–2014
  • Features of the Legislative Branch
  • Features of the judiciary
  • Territorial-state structure
  • Local government and self-government
  • External influences on the formation and functioning of political institutions
  • Internal conflicts and splits
  • Official ideology, ideological schisms and conflicts
  • Religion and the state, the role of religion in politics
  • Features of the party system
  • Representation of political parties in the National Assembly of ORT following the results of the elections on October 31, 2010
  • Political role of the military/security forces
  • NGOs, corporate components of the political system, interest groups and pressure groups
  • Position and role of the media in society
  • Gender equality/inequality
  • National economy in the context of the world economy
  • Main economic indicators in 1990–2010
  • Tanzania's GDP structure, according to the World Bank in 2011
  • Weight in the world economy 1990–2006
  • Resources of influence on the international environment and international processes
  • Military spending 1990–2010
  • Participation in international organizations and international regimes, main foreign policy counterparties and partners, relations with Russia
  • External and internal security threats
  • Tanzania's ranking on the Corruption Perceptions Index, 2001–2012
  • Placement of the country's territory in an area of ​​increased risk of natural disasters
  • Economic threats
  • Threats to human security

Tanzania- a state in East Africa. In the north it borders with Kenya and Uganda, in the south with Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia, in the west with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and Rwanda. In the east it is washed by the Indian Ocean. Tanzania also owns the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba.

The name of the country comes from the name of the united countries of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

Capital

Dodoma (official), Dar es Salaam (actual).

Square

Population

Administrative division

The state is divided into 25 regions.

Form of government

Republic.

Head of State

The president.

Supreme legislative body

National Assembly (parliament).

Supreme executive body

Government.

Big cities

Zanzibar, Mwanza, Dar es Salaam, Tanga. Official language. Swahili, English.

Religion

50% are Christians, 30% are Muslims.

Ethnic composition

99% are Africans (more than 120 groups in total), 0.2% are Europeans.

Currency

Tanzanian shilling = 100 cents.

Climate

Tanzania's climate varies depending on altitude and distance from the coast.

Thus, on the ocean coast the climate is tropical, with an average annual temperature of about + 27 °C.

Where is Tanzania? - country on the world map

Inland it is hotter and drier. The islands have a mostly tropical climate, but the heat is reduced by ocean winds. The rainy season lasts from December to May. The greatest amount of precipitation falls on the western coast of Lake Victoria (up to 2000 mm per year), the least - on the inner plateau (about 250 mm).

Flora

In the west and south of the country there are dry deciduous woodlands, in the coastal lowlands - park savannas, in the northeast and in the center - grassy savannas.

On the slopes of the mountains there are moist evergreen forests. Mahogany and camphor laurel grow in large quantities in the forests of Tanzania.

Fauna

Representatives of the animal world of Tanzania are antelope, zebra, elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, monkeys. The Serengeti National Park is the only one in the world where natural seasonal migration of wild animals exists.

Rivers and lakes

The main rivers are Pangani, Rufiji, Ruvuma. The largest lakes are Tanganyika, Victoria, Nyasa.

Attractions

In Dar es Salaam - the National Museum (1937), in Zanzibar - the State Museum of Zanzibar, in Tanga an ethnographic museum-village - the picturesque Amboni caves and the ruins of an Iranian fortress of the 16th century.

Tourists are attracted primarily by nature reserves, safaris and. Kilimanjaro.

Useful information for tourists

Traditional souvenirs are products made from ebony wood, malachite, soapstone, and beads.

In Tanzania, tanzanite is mined - a blue diamond; jewelry with tanzanite is an expensive and unique souvenir.
It is customary to tip driver-guides if you like their work.

Mountain guides receive an average of $10 per day, cooks and porters - $5 each. At a hotel or inn, you can give 500 shillings to the porter or servant, or leave a slightly larger amount with the accommodation service when you leave.
While staying in Tanzania, you must take medications against tropical malaria and get vaccinated against yellow fever before traveling. Tap water should not be drunk. For drinking, use only water from bottles, after checking that they are well sealed.

Water intended for drinking, brushing teeth, and making ice must be boiled or otherwise disinfected.
You should not move away from the main streets of cities to avoid the risk of being robbed.

Do not carry a large amount of money with you, do not wear expensive gold jewelry, and do not walk down the street with audio and video equipment. At night, you should avoid appearing in deserted, unfamiliar places.

United Republic of Tanzania
Main capital: Dodoma
Official language: Swahili, English
territories: 945,087 km²
population: 46,218,000 people
Form of government: Presidential republic
currency: Tanzanian shilling
Tanzania is a map on the Sputnik search portal.

Incorporated into the Commonwealth.

The president of the state and government is the president. The legislative body is the National Assembly.
Administrative division: 25 regions.

In the east it washes the waters of the Indian Ocean.

Most of Tanzania's territory is located on the East African plateau (altitude 1000 m). The highest point is Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m). In the west of the plateau it is bordered by a system of tectonic depressions involved in the Rift Valley region. On the border - Lake Victoria, Tanganyika, Nyasa (Malawi). On the ocean coast, a narrow belt of soil expands, surrounded by coral reefs. In Tanzania, the turning point of the three main African rivers of the Congo, fed by water from Lake Tanganyika, the Nile - Lake Victoria (the southern coast of which is in Tanzania) - Zambezi - Lake Nyasa.

The main rivers are Pangani, Rufigi, Ruvuma.
The climate is mainly equatorial-monsoon. The average temperature of the warmest month is from 25 to 27 °C, the coldest is from 12 to 22 °C. Precipitation is 500-1500 mm per year.
The country is dominated by vibrant tropical forests of deciduous trees (“miombo”) and various types of Savannah (gardens, shrubs, meadows). Grassy savanna covers the floor of the Ngorongoro volcano crater.

Tropical rainforests remain only here and there on the mountainside. On the ocean shore and at the mouth there is a mangrove river. The animal world of Tanzania is rich and diverse, especially in reserves and national parks, the largest of which are Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arushi, Manyara, Mikumi, Ruaha, Kilimanjaro, Rungwe. In the cities of the savannah there are still many elephants, giraffes, zebras, there are large herds of various antelopes, black rhinoceros, buffalo, lions, and in the forests there are many species of monkeys (including a rare black and white colored long-haired colony) and very large birds.

Where is Tanzania?

National parks - Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Ruah, Tarangi, etc.; Selous Nature Reserve, Ngorongoro, Rungwa and others.

Population: Nyambezi, Swahili, Hehe, Makonde people, etc. Official language is English and Swahili..

Believers are Christians, Muslims, representatives of local traditional beliefs.

V 7.-8. The Arabs occupied the territory of Tanzania for centuries; In the 16th century, the Portuguese were replaced by Arabs. By the beginning of the 19th century, Fr. Zanzibar and the coast of mainland Tanzania were under the rule of the Sultans of Muscat.

In 1856, the independent Suntanate of Zanzibar was created. Land in Tanzania was taken over by Germany in 1884 (a German colony became a base for East Africa.), and after World War I a mandate, in 1946 a trust territory under British control (called Tanganyika); In 1890, a British protectorate was created over Zanzibar. In December 1961, the independence of Tanganyika was proclaimed in December 1963 - Zanzibar.

In April 1964, Tanganyika and Zanzibar founded the United Republic of Tanzania. The ruling party in Tanzania was the Revolutionary Party - Chama Cha Mapinduzi (founded in 1977). In 1992, the multilateral system was introduced.

Tanzania is an agricultural state. GDP per capita is US$2,900 (2007). Main products: coffee, cotton, sisal, cloves. Animal husbandry.

Fishing. Cleaning precious wood. Mining of diamonds, phosphates, gold, etc. Processing of agricultural raw materials. Oil refining, chemistry, cement, woodworking, metalworking. The main port is Dar es Salaam. Exports: coffee, cotton, spices, Indian walnuts, sisal, tobacco, tea, diamonds, etc.

The main foreign trade partners are Great Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan.

The currency is the Tanzanian Shilling.

Embassy of Tanzania

• Katsman V.

  I. Modern Tanzania. M., 1977.

• Ovchinnikov V.E. History of Tanzania in modern and modern times. M., 1986.
• Lundberg U.-L. Islands in the center of Africa. M., 1987.
• Agriculture in Tanzania since 1986. — Washington: World Bank: intern. Food Policy Research Institute, 2000.
• Tanzania: social sector. — Washington: World Bank, 1999.
• United Republic of Tanzania.

  - M.: Nauka, 1980.

If you want to see truly colorful Africa, but without the fear of hostile natives and without worrying about the possibility of sharks for lunch, you should visit Tanzania. This is the safest country on the “black” continent, but at the same time offering an unlimited variety of options for active and educational, exotic and extreme, environmental and ethnographic tourism. Here you can lie to your heart's content on the clean beaches, satisfy your desire to get acquainted with local attractions, as well as book a safari in national parks and even go trophy fishing.
Until 1996, the capital of the state was Dar es Salaam, but after that the status of the main city passed to Dodoma.

Swahili is spoken in the country, as well as English, which means travelers should have no problems communicating with the locals. But American dollars will still have to be exchanged for Tanzanian shillings in order to pay for purchases in stores and markets.
Most of Tanzania's territory is occupied by plateaus.

The country is washed from the east by the Indian Ocean. The water area includes part of the three largest lakes in Africa - Victoria, Tanganyika and Nyasa. And it is in Tanzania that the highest mountain on the continent is located - Kilimanjaro.

The state is located in the southern hemisphere and is dominated by an equatorial monsoon climate. There is high humidity along the entire coast, and very little rainfall occurs on the central plateau throughout the year.
Approximately half of Tanzania's population identifies as Christian. A significant part of the residents (30%) are Muslims.

Geography of Tanzania

Local autonomous beliefs are also represented here.
To visit Tanzania for tourism purposes, Russians need a visa. However, getting it is not a problem. This can be done upon arrival in the country, directly at the airport.
There are still few direct flights to Tanzania. A charter flight (for example, to Zanzibar) lasts about 10 hours.

However, in most cases, flights have connections, which means they take longer.
The best time to visit the kingdom of wildlife and the real pearl of East Africa is considered to be from mid-June to October. In winter, it is better to avoid traveling here due to heavy rains that wash out the roads. By the way, there are two rainy seasons here - from October to November and from March to early June (minor deviations are possible depending on the region).

The United Republic of Tanzania is a secular state. The country's constitution proclaims equality of opportunity for all citizens, regardless of their religion (Article 9), prohibits discrimination on religious grounds (Article 13) and guarantees the right to freedom of religion (Article 19). Religious associations are registered with the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the General State Registrar (for Zanzibar).

Just over half of Tanzanians (55% - 60%) are Christians. The share of Muslims is estimated at 30% - 32%. Another approximately 12% of the population adheres to local autochthonous beliefs.

The first Christians appeared in Tanzania in 1499.

These were the Augustinian monks who sailed with Vasco da Gama. Over the next two centuries, a Catholic mission operated in the country, which was expelled with the arrival of the Arabs. Catholics resumed missionary activity only in 1860. Later they were joined by Protestants: Anglicans (1864), Lutherans (1886), Moravian Brethren (1891), Adventists (1903).

In the 1930s, missionaries from various Scandinavian and American Pentecostal organizations arrived in Tanzania.

In 1956, Baptists from Nigeria began a mission in Dar es Salaam.

In 2010, 31.8% of Tanzanians belonged to the Catholic Church, while 27.3% were Protestants. The largest Protestant denominations are Lutherans, Pentecostals and Anglicans (more than two million each). Orthodoxy is professed by 41 thousand.

Tanzanians.

Christians make up the majority among such peoples of Tanzania as the Bemba, Bena, Gogo, Jugga, Zanaki, Zinza, Kamba, Kikuyu, Konongo, Kuria, Matengo, Namwanga, Ngonde, Ndali, Ndamba, Pangwa, Pimbwe, Pogoro, Suba, Fipa, Haya, Hangaza, Hehe and Hutu. Europeans living in Tanzania - Greeks, British, French, Germans, etc. - are also Christians.

The first Muslims in what is now Tanzania were Arab merchants who entered Zanzibar and the East African coast during the late Middle Ages.

Islam initially spread to coastal cities; In the 19th century, Islam began to penetrate the continental part of the country. During this period, a number of African leaders converted to Islam. During the period between the two world wars, the spread of Islam accelerated markedly.

In the second half of the 20th century, immigrants from India and Pakistan joined the Muslim community. In 1969 it was created National Muslim Council of Tanzania, who manages Muslim affairs and elects the mufti.

Currently, Islam is practiced by the Arabs, Digo, Zigua, Kwere, Kutu, Matumbi, Machinga, Ngindo, Ndengereko, Rangi, Rufiji, Somali, Swahili and Shirazi. Muslims also make up about half among the Zaramo, Mwera, Nyamwezi, Pare and Shambhala; the second half of these peoples profess Christianity.

Muslims live on the islands of the Zanzibar archipelago, as well as in major cities of the country.

The majority of Tanzanian Muslims adhere to the Sunni branch of the Shafi'i school of law; there are also Hanafis. Among the foreigners and immigrants living in Tanzania there are many Shiites (Ismailis and Imami); People from Oman adhere to Ibadism.

Since 1934, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community has been active in Tanzania.

The share of supporters of local beliefs fell steadily throughout the 20th century; from 90.5% in 1900, to 32% in 1970 and 16% in 2000. Currently, the cult of ancestors and the veneration of the forces of nature are widespread among the peoples of Tanzania; In case of illness, many Tanzanians turn to healers and sorcerers.

Local traditional beliefs are followed by most of the Datong, Isanzu, Mbunga, Ndendeule and Sandawe. Traditional religions are also common among a significant proportion (40-60%) of the Jita, Iraku, Kwaya, Mambwe-Lungu, Maasai, Nyambo, Sangu and Sukuma peoples; another part of these peoples converted to Christianity.

Finally, in the third group of peoples (Ikizu, Safwa, Sumba and Ha), animists make up 30-40%; some of these peoples profess Christianity (30-40%); the rest are Islam.

The Hindu community (375 thousand in 2010) consists of descendants of workers who migrated to Tanzania at the beginning of the 20th century.

By ethnicity, the majority of Hindus are Gujaratis. The number of Hindus also includes supporters of neo-Hindu religious movements - Brahma Kumaris, Hare Krishnas, followers of Sathya Sai Baba.

After the Second World War, a Baha'i community emerged in the country.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Tanzania has been operating since 1964. In 2005, the number of supporters of the Baha'i faith was 191 thousand.

Descendants of immigrants from South and East Asia profess Buddhism (60 thousand). The majority of Punjabis living in Tanzania are Sikhs (13 thousand). Among the foreigners there are communities of Jains (10 thousand), Jews, and Zoroastrians.

Non-believers and atheists in Tanzania are 0.4% of the population (134 thousand).

Useful information for tourists about Tanzania, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Tanzania, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Tanzania.

Geography of Tanzania

The United Republic of Tanzania is a country on the east coast of Africa. It is bordered to the north by Kenya and Uganda, to the west by Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to the south by Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The eastern border is the Indian Ocean.
Tanzania has two capitals: the administrative center is the historical capital of Dar es Salaam, and the legislative capital is Dodoma, where the government moved the main bodies in the 1970s.

Most of the country is occupied by vast plateaus. The coastal lowland stretches along the coast of the Indian Ocean. The country's territory includes part of Africa's largest lakes - Lake Victoria in the north, Lake Tanganyika in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the south of Tanzania. The highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro (5895 m), is located in Tanzania.

State

State structure

Tanzania is a presidential republic. The head of state and head of government is the president. Parliament is a unicameral State Assembly (Bunge).

Language

Official language: Swahili, English

Arabic is spoken in Zanzibar, and on the mainland there are many local Bantu languages.

Religion

Religions: in the mainland - Christians 30%, Muslims 35%, aboriginal cults 35%; in Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslims.

Currency

International name: TZS

The Tanzanian shilling is equal to 100 cents. Banknotes in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 Tanzanian shillings and coins in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Tanzanian shillings are officially in circulation. In fact, coins with a face value of less than 50 shillings went out of circulation.

Currency can be exchanged at banks and exchange offices. The exchange receipt must be kept until departure from the country. Changing money from street money changers is not prohibited, but in this case the risk of facing fraud is extremely high.

Credit cards have limited circulation. Typically only large banks, supermarkets (especially in port areas) and some travel agencies accept them. In the provinces, paying with a credit card is much more difficult. For the service of withdrawing money from a credit card, some provincial banks charge a commission of 6-8% of the amount.

Travel checks can be cashed at registered dealers, banks or exchange offices. A passport is required to cash out. Often checks are very carefully checked for authenticity, which takes a lot of time.

Popular attractions

Tourism in Tanzania

Office hours

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 12.30-16.00, and from 08.30 to 13.00 on Saturday.

Purchases

VAT (Value Added Tax) on all goods and services is 20% and is included in the price.

Shops are usually open from Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 12.00, and from 14.00 to 18.00, on Saturday - 08.30 to 12.30. Some shops are also open on Sunday. During Ramadan, many restaurants and shops are closed during the day, and restrictions on smoking and drinking may be in place.

Souvenirs

The country produces unique Tanzanian green tourmalines, sapphires, garnets, rubies, emeralds and diamonds, as well as the mineral tanzanite, found exclusively in Tanzania in the volcanic deposits of Mount Kilimanjaro. All this splendor of gifts from the bowels of the earth can be purchased at markets and in private jewelry stores.

Medicine

Immunization against tetanus and hepatitis A is recommended. Epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis, typhus, malaria and plague are occasionally recorded. In rural areas, cases of African fever infection occur. When swimming in fresh water there is a high risk of contracting schistomatosis. Vaccinations against yellow fever, typhoid, cholera and malaria prevention are recommended.

Sleeping sickness, which is spread by the tsetse fly, is quite common in forested areas of the country. Also of great concern to the international community is the rapid spread of HIV and AIDS in Tanzania.

All water should be assessed as potentially contaminated.

Safety

You should not display expensive photographic and video equipment, valuables or documents. It is not recommended to walk alone on the streets at night. You should not leave things unattended. You should always carry a photocopy of your passport with you, and keep your passport, money and air ticket in a safe place (hotel safe).

Foreigners are the object of constant and overly intrusive attention. You should not give in to offers from local residents to help in any way. This usually ends in problems.

Emergency numbers

The single emergency phone number is 112/999.

Photo and video shooting

It is not recommended to photograph local residents without their permission and to visit the homes of local residents on your own (without a guide or travel agency representative). In some places you need to pay for photography, but this should not be done everywhere and always - many aborigines try to beg money in this way.

Questions and feedback about Tanzania

Zanzibar - Questions and Answers