Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities.
Location
Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates
6 00 S, 35 00 E
Map references
Africa
Area
total
945,087 sq km
land
886,037 sq km
water
59,050 sq km
note
includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar
Area - comparative
slightly larger than twice the size of California
Land boundaries
total
3,861 km
border countries
Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km
Coastline
1,424 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Climate
varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
Terrain
plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south
flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought
Environment - current issues
soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory
Environment - international agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Geography - note
Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest
Population
39,384,223
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2007 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
43.9% (male 8,666,227/female 8,624,387)
15-64 years
53.3% (male 10,330,727/female 10,649,507)
65 years and over
2.8% (male 491,252/female 622,123) (2007 est.)
Median age
total
17.7 years
male
17.4 years
female
17.9 years (2007 est.)
Population growth rate
2.091% (2007 est.)
Birth rate
35.95 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Death rate
13.36 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Net migration rate
-1.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years
1.005 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over
0.79 male(s)/female
total population
0.98 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total
71.69 deaths/1,000 live births
male
78.84 deaths/1,000 live births
female
64.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population
50.71 years
male
49.41 years
female
52.04 years (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate
4.77 children born/woman (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
8.8% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
1.6 million (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
160,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk
very high
food or waterborne diseases
bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases
malaria, Rift Valley fever and plague are high risks in some locations
water contact disease
schistosomiasis (2007)
Nationality
noun
Tanzanian(s)
adjective
Tanzanian
Ethnic groups
mainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African
Religions
mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim
Languages
Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages
note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages
Literacy
definition
age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic
total population
69.4%
male
77.5%
female
62.2% (2002 census)
Country name
conventional long form
United Republic of Tanzania
conventional short form
Tanzania
local long form
Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania
local short form
Tanzania
former
United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar
Government type
republic
Capital
name
Dar es Salaam
geographic coordinates
6 48 S, 39 17 E
time difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note
legislative offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital; the National Assembly now meets there on a regular basis
26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964
National holiday
Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964)
Constitution
25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984
Legal system
based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
President Jakaya KIKWETE (since 21 December 2005); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government
President Jakaya KIKWETE (since 21 December 2005); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001)
note
Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was reelected to that office on 30 October 2005
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly
elections
president and vice president elected on the same ballot by popular vote for five-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 14 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2010); prime minister appointed by the president
election results
Jakaya KIKWETE elected president; percent of vote - Jakaya KIKWETE 80.3%, Ibrahim LIPUMBA 11.7%, Freeman MBOWE 5.9%
Legislative branch
unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (274 seats; 232 members elected by popular vote, 37 allocated to women nominated by the president, 5 to members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives; to serve five-year terms); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives to make laws especially for Zanzibar (the Zanzibar House of Representatives has 50 seats elected by universal suffrage to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 14 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2010)
election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CCM 206, CUF 19, CHADEMA 5, other 2, women appointed by the president 37, Zanzibar representatives 5 Zanzibar House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CCM 30, CUF 19; 1 seat was nullified with a rerun to take place soon
Judicial branch
Permanent Commission of Enquiry (official ombudsman); Court of Appeal (consists of a chief justice and four judges); High Court (consists of a Jaji Kiongozi and 29 judges appointed by the president; holds regular sessions in all regions); District Courts; Primary Courts (limited jurisdiction and appeals can be made to the higher courts)
Political parties and leaders
Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Party of Democracy and Development) or CHADEMA [Bob MAKANI]; Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM (Revolutionary Party) [Jakaya Mrisho KIKWETE]; Civic United Front or CUF [Ibrahim LIPUMBA]; Democratic Party [Christopher MTIKLA] (unregistered); Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine Lyatonga MREME]; United Democratic Party or UDP [John CHEYO]
divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue
Economy - overview
Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for almost half of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featured the processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods. The World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-date economic infrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Long-term growth through 2005 featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals led by gold. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment. Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomic policies supported real GDP growth of nearly 6% in 2006.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$29.62 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$13.13 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
5.8% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$800 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector
agriculture
43.3%
industry
17.7%
services
39% (2006 est.)
Labor force
19.35 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture
80%
industry and services
20% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate
NA%
Population below poverty line
36% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.8%
highest 10%
30.1% (1993)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
38.2 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
5.9% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed)
19% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget
revenues
$2.431 billion
expenditures
$3.001 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.)
Public debt
30.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products
Industries
agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine); diamond, gold, and iron mining, salt, soda ash; cement, oil refining, shoes, apparel, wood products, fertilizer
Industrial production growth rate
8.4% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production
2.562 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source
fossil fuel
18.9%
hydro
81.1%
nuclear
0%
other
0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption
2.383 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports
0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports
0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production
0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption
23,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance
-$906 million (2006 est.)
Exports
$1.831 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities
gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton
Exports - partners
China 8.9%, India 8.8%, Netherlands 6.2%, Japan 5.4%, Zambia 4.7%, UAE 4.3%, Germany 4.2% (2006)
Imports
$3.18 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities
consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial raw materials, crude oil
Imports - partners
South Africa 10%, China 9.6%, Kenya 8%, India 6.9%, UAE 6.1%, US 4% (2006)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$2.375 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external
$4.61 billion (2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient
$1.2 billion (2001)
Currency (code)
Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
Currency code
TZS
Exchange rates
Tanzanian shillings per US dollar - 1,251.9 (2006), 1,128.93 (2005), 1,089.33 (2004), 1,038.42 (2003), 966.58 (2002)
Fiscal year
1 July - 30 June
Telephones - main lines in use
148,400 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular
1.942 million (2005)
Telephone system
general assessment
fair system operating below capacity and being modernized for better service; small aperture terminal (VSAT) system under construction
domestic
trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital
international
country code - 255; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations
AM 12, FM 11, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios
8.8 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations
3 (1999)
Televisions
103,000 (1997)
Internet country code
.tz
Internet hosts
8,609 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
6 (2000)
Internet users
333,000 (2005)
Airports
124 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways
total
11
over 3,047 m
2
2,438 to 3,047 m
2
1,524 to 2,437 m
5
914 to 1,523 m
1
under 914 m
1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total
113
1,524 to 2,437 m
18
914 to 1,523 m
62
under 914 m
33 (2006)
Pipelines
gas 254 km; oil 872 km (2006)
Railways
total
3,690 km
narrow gauge
969 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,721 km 1.000-m gauge (2005)
Roadways
total
78,891 km
paved
6,808 km
unpaved
72,083 km (2003)
Waterways
Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa principal avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; rivers not navigable (2005)
Merchant marine
total
9 ships (1000 GRT or over) 24,801 GRT/31,507 DWT
by type
cargo 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 4
registered in other countries
2 (Honduras 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals
Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Zanzibar City
Military branches
Tanzanian People's Defense Force (Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzania, JWTZ): Army, Naval Wing (includes Coast Guard), Air Defense Command (includes Air Wing), National Service (2007)
Military service age and obligation
15 years of age for voluntary military service; 18 years of age for compulsory military service upon graduation from secondary school; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2006)
Manpower available for military service
males age 18-49: 7,422,869 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
males age 18-49: 3,879,630 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP
0.2% (2005 est.)
Disputes - international
Tanzania still hosts more than a half-million refugees, more than any other African country, mainly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite the international community's efforts at repatriation; disputes with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 393,611 (Burundi), 150,112 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2006)
Illicit drugs
growing role in transshipment of Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for South African, European, and US markets and of South Asian methaqualone bound for southern Africa; money laundering remains a problem
