Located in East Africa, the stunning country of Tanzania attracts thousands of tourists each year with its exotic flora and fauna, pristine beaches, and rich cultural heritage.
Interesting Facts About Tanzania
Capital: Dodoma
Population: Approximately 46.9 million people
Borders: Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda
Coastline: Borders the Indian Ocean
Official Languages: English and Swahili (although English proficiency is limited)
Name Origin: The name "Tanzania" is a combination of "Tanganyika" and "Zanzibar," two former British colonies that united in 1964.
Water Bodies: Approximately 6% of the country is covered by water, including parts of Africa's largest lakes: Victoria, Tanganyika, and Nyasa.
Highest Point: Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters), the highest peak in Africa
Water Source: The snows of Kilimanjaro provide freshwater to Tanzania and several neighboring countries.
Zanzibar: The second largest island in East Africa, formed from coral limestone over millennia.
Tsetse Fly: The tsetse fly has been completely eradicated on Zanzibar.
Doorways as Status Symbols: On Zanzibar, the size and intricacy of a house's doorway indicate wealth and status. The large, ornate doors with spikes were designed to accommodate elephants, which were once used by Indian traders visiting local nobility.
Education: While seven years of education is compulsory, only slightly more than half of Tanzanian children attend school.
National Parks: Approximately 25% of the country is dedicated to national parks and reserves.
Ethnic Diversity: Tanzania is home to around 120 different ethnic groups.
Lake Natron: This Tanzanian lake has such a high concentration of salts and alkalis that it instantly kills and mummifies any living creature that enters it.
Laughter Epidemic: In 1962, Tanganyika (now Tanzania) experienced a laughter epidemic affecting over a thousand people. It began in a girls' school and spread rapidly, with some individuals laughing for up to 16 days straight. The outbreak was eventually attributed to a combination of factors, including poor school conditions, strict teachers, and stress.
Freddie Mercury's Birthplace: The island of Zanzibar is the birthplace of the legendary musician Freddie Mercury.
