Brunnthal 3

 83562 Rechtmehring

 Germany

 Tel. +49 (0) 80 76/97 07

 Fax +49 (0) 80 76/97 09

 Email...

Country and People

The United Republic of Tanzania, has an area of 945,166 km² (about two and a half times the size of Germany and times the size of Britain). The name comes from TANganyika + ZAnzibar + AzaNIA (the former Greek name for the East African coast) due to the union of Tanganyika, Zanzibar and Pemba on the 12th April 1964. Tanganyika, renamed after First World War, gained its independence from Britain in 1961. It was mandated to Britain after the First World War by the League of Nations (later United Nations) and remained under British trusteeship until Independence. From 1890 to 1918, Tanzania, including today's states of Burundi and Rwanda, was called "German East Africa". German East Africa was the arena for a four year conflict between the small and isolated army of Colonel Von Lettow Vorbeck and the superior forces of the British and their allies. Reminders of the war can still be found if you know where to look. Many of old buildings that are still in use were built by the Germans. However, the British left behind the system of administration and driving on the left. Official languages are Kisuaheli and English.
The official capital is Dodoma, although Dar es Salaam is the de facto capital and centre of administration and government.

Tanzania is truly fascinating due to its outstanding diversity of great lakes, mountains and its enormous variety of animal and plant life. Indeed, the country boasts the largest population of wildlife on the continent. There are about 1,500 species of bird and 10,000 species of plant. The Selous Game Reserve has the biggest elephant population of the world. Two of the five highest mountains in the African continent are to be found in Tanzania. The highest, Mount Kilimanjaro (the roof of Africa), peaks at 5,895 meters and is the highest detached mountain in the world. The second highest mountain in the country (which is only 1,300 meters lower than "Kili") is Mount Meru, which stands at 4,566 meters. "The floor of Africa" is the bottom of Lake Tanganyika (700 meters below sea level), and is the deepest, longest and second biggest lake in Africa. Together Lake Victoria (largest African lake), Lake Nyasa (2nd deepest lake and 3rd largest lake in Africa) and Lake Tanganyika combined, make the largest water area and volume on the continent.
The largest islands of East Africa (Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia) are situated off the Tanzanian shore.

Tanzania has a tropical climate with a hot and humid coastline and a hot, dry, arid central plateau. The highland regions have a more temperate climate and it can get quite cool at night. The temperature falls about 1° C for every 150 meters rise in altitude. The eastern part of the country is influenced by monsoon winds. The kaskazi blows from Dec to March while the kusi from April to Nov. The long rains fall from March to May and the short lighter rains from Nov to Dec. Higher altitudes are less affected by the monsoons and it may rain at any time. Daytime temperatures in most places are between 22 to 30 °C. The hottest period is November to March and the coolest from May to November.

About 250,000km² of the state area is dedicated to the protection of nature and wildlife. About 40% of the country is protected as National Parks, Game and Forest Reserves, and Marine Parks. The National Parks and Game Reserves alone, take up 16% of the country's total land area; making Tanzania the leader in conservation on the entire African continent. The National Parks are financed by economic aid, donations and foreign support, like the successors of Bernhard Grzimek, the founding father of the Serengeti National Park. Since 1995, Tanzania established it's first maritime National Park with the Mafia Island Marine Park. Regions like the Ngorongoro Crater are distinguished as Conservation Areas. The Maasai are allowed to live in these areas in harmony with the highly protected wild animals. Only game hunting is permitted in the Game Reserves where there is no human habitation. These areas are mostly reserved for hunting which brings in much-needed revenue to support the country's wildlife conservation policies. To hunt in the Game Controlled Areas it is necessary to buy a game licence. Forest Reserves are mountain forests that are protected against logging and are maintained for water conservation measures.

Tanzania is considered one of the poorest countries in the world. 90% of the population is actually gainfully employed, working mostly in the agricultural sector. The primary export commodities are: coffee, tea, bananas, cotton wool and tobacco. Other consumption crop yields are: sisal, wheat, maize and millet. Tanzania was the world's biggest producer of sisal but with the advent of synthetic fibres, the industry since the 1960's has been in decline. However, sisal plantations can still be seen especially around Tanga and its hinterland. Cattle and goats are bred mostly for self-consumption.. Besides agriculture and tourism, mining (gold, diamonds and other semi-precious gems) adds to the country's economy.

One main aspect of Tanzania (in comparison to other African countries) is it's stability in it's home affairs. This is mainly due to the fact that none of it's approximately 130 different tribes have more than 3 million people. The country is thus governed by a "we-feeling," where by and large one feels more like a Tanzanian in general and not so much an ethnical group.
Most of the 33 million inhabitants live in the towns on or near the coast, and on the slopes of Kilimanjaro and the Usambara Mountains.
Religious faith is important to Tanzanians. About 43% are Christians, 38% Moslems, 1% Hindu and the remaining 18% are followers of traditional religions and of ancestor cult.

Traditional carvings and pottery, metal workmanship and blacksmith art possess (besides their functional value) a connection to religion and mythology. Many older objects of art find their actual application in rites and festivals, combined with dance, music, songs and religious festivals and offerings. Wooden carvings and sculptures that are offered to tourists are not traditional in east Africa. This handcraft was introduced by the Arabians, Indians and the Europeans in the 19th century. The Makonde from the Rovuma area produce the abstract On the other, hand pottery goes back a long ways. Traditional pottery is made without any potter's wheel and is mostly done by women. Ornaments are either cut in, painted or moulded and are produced using an open fire. Painting is a relatively new art (1960's) mainly due to the tourist demand. Traditional music in east Africa is an element of dance, religion and rituals. The most important instruments are the drum and marimba. The Kisuaheli word ngoma describes everything that has to do with musical performances, but it also is the word for drums.