Introduction

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. The last election held there was Dec. 2005 and the next scheduled election will be in 2010. Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. 36% of the population lives below the poverty line. The economy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for about 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. Tanzania has 78,891 km. of highways, of which only 6,808 km. are paved. There are 124 airports, but only 10 have paved runways. With 1,424 km. of coastline, there are ports and harbors at Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Kilwa Masoko, Lindi, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pangani, Tanga, Wete, and Zanzibar.

Geographical Location

Tanzania is located in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique. It borders Burundi, the DROC, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia. With a total area of 945,087 sq. km. (includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar), it is slightly larger than twice the size of California. Located in Tanzania, Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa (5,895 m.). Tanzania is 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. Environmental issues include soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens the marine habitats; drought affected agriculture; wildlife is threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory.

Climate

The climate varies from tropical along the coast to temperate in the highlands. The terrain is plains along the coast; central plateau; highlands in the north and south. Natural hazards plaguing Tanzania are flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season, and droughts.

Population

As of July 2009, the population of Tanzania is estimated to be 41,048,532. There are 1.4 million living with HIV/AIDS. There is also very high degree of risk for other major infectious diseases: typhoid fever, malaria, Rift Valley fever, plague, and schistosomiasis. The population growth rate is 2.04% with 34.29 births per 1000 and 12.59 deaths per 1000. Life expectancy at birth is 52.01 years. The ethnic groups are 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.

Languages

The official language is Kiswahili or Swahili. English is the official primary language of commerce, administration and higher education. Arabic is widely spoken in Zanzibar. There are also many local languages. 69.4% of the population 15 and older can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic.

Religion

On the mainland, Christians make up 30%, Muslims 35%, and indigenous beliefs 35%. On Zanzibar, more than 99% are Muslim.