United Republic of Tanzania
Tanzania is a large country in Eastern Africa, lying between four great bodies of water, namely Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Nyasa and the Indian ocean.
It is just below the equator sharing its boundaries with Kenya and Uganda on the north, Rwanda and Burundi on the west, Zambia and Malawi on the south west and Mozambique on the South.
The total land area is 939,701sq km making it almost the size of France, Belgium and Germany combined, or slightly over twice the size of Sweden.
It was the second largest dependency under British Administration, Nigeria being slightly larger.
Area: 939,701sq km including the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. 53,000sq km are inland water.
Location: Between latitudes 1o00' and 11o00' S and longitudes 30o00' and 40o00' E
Features: Coastal plains, eastern plateaus, eastern rift valley, central valley, southern highlands and western rift valley; lakes, rivers, miombo woodland and mountains
Climate: Temperature varies from 15oC in the highland areas to 30oC along the coast. Cool between May and October.
Independence: 9th December 1961 and on 26th April 1964, it became a United Republic. The country has an Executive President who is elected by universal suffrage; he is the head of state.
Altitude: to 5895m above sea level
Attractions: Wildlife areas, beaches, mountains; including Africa's highest mountain Kilimanjaro, archaeological sites and cultural heritage.
Best time to visit: November to February and June to September
Time: Three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +3)
Economy: Mainly agricultural, tourism and minerals
Population: Approx 45 million people
