Tanzania is the largest of the East African countries and one of Africa's premier tourist destinations with attractions like Mount Kilimanjaro, the Great Lakes, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and the islands of Pemba and Zanzibar, to name but a few.
This page aims to give you a broad overview of Tanzanian art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy and government.

Background:
Shortly after independence, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities.

Official Name:
United Republic of Tanzania
Swahili: Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania
short form: Tanzania
former: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar

ISO Country Code : tz

Capital City:
Dar es Salaam (executive)
Dodoma (legislative)

Other Cities: Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya, Mtwara, Stonetown, Zanzibar

Geography:
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique.
Area : Tanzania mainland--945 000 sq. km. (378 000 sq. mi.); Zanzibar--1 658 sq. km. (640 sq. mi.).
Terrain: Coastal plains; a central plateau; highlands in north and south.
Highest point: Kilimanjaro 5 895 m.

Climate: Varies from tropical to arid to temperate.

People:
Nationality: Tanzanian(s); Zanzibari(s).
Population: Mainland--36 million.
Zanzibar--1 million.
Ethnic Groups: mainland - native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, native African, mixed Arab and native African.
Religions: mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim.
Languages : Kiswahili (Swahili, Kiunguja), English (both official), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages.
Literacy: male: 85.9%, female: 70.7% .

Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)