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Tanzania is an ex-German and British colony located in East Africa by the Indian ocean. The name of the country comes from “Tan” for Tanganyika and Zan from Zanzibar and it is a federated country.
Tanzania is also an East African country known for its vast wilderness areas. They include the plains of Serengeti National Park, a safari mecca populated by the “big five” game (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino), and Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain. Offshore lie the tropical islands of Zanzibar, with Arabic influences, and Mafia, with a marine park home to whale sharks and coral reefs
Away from the crowds and amongst vast spaces every corner turn, offers a wow factor either of nature or animal species or birds. Tanzania covers (365,756 sq mi) making it the largest country in Eastern Africa. Just 4 degrees south of the equator, it borders Kenya and Uganda to the north; the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi to the west; Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the East. It is therefore an ideal center from which to explore eastern, central, and southern Africa.
The Great Rift Valley, the vast fault line that runs down the spine of Africa, has created many fascinating topographical features in Tanzania including the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Tanganyika, and Mount Kilimanjaro, the continent’s tallest mountain. The central plateau is a huge expanse of savannah and sparse woodland and while the interior is largely arid the 497 miles of coastline, and the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia, are lush and palm-fringed.
ABOUT ARUSHA
Located in the north of Tanzania, in the shadow of Mount Meru, Arusha is the meetings, Events and safaris capital of the country nicknamed as 'THE GENEVA OF AFRICA'.It was founded by German colonialists when the territory was part of German East Africa in 1900. It was named after the local tribe Wa-Arusha, who are also known as Larusa by the Maasai.
Arusha is a home to approximately 1.7 million people where about 740,442 live in the urban area/city (NBS Census 2012), making it the third largest city in Tanzania. The population growth rate is tagged to the national average of 2.7%.Arusha city is a global tourist destination and is the center of the northern Tanzania safari circuit.
The city is surrounded by several national parks and reserves, but predominantly, at the close proximity of Mount Kilimanjaro the highest free standing mountain in Africa, approximately one hour drive from the city center, Ngorongoro Crater where surprisingly humans coexist in harmony with the wild, and the Serengeti National Park which is a home to thousands of wild animals, including the fascinating wildebeests and zebras migration. The three were recently declared among seven natural wonders of Africa, making it the best safari destination in the world.A few miles away from the city, you will find the Mererani mining site, where the Tanzanite gemstones are found.
The jewel that is 1000+ times rarer than diamonds are only found at the footsteps of Mount Kilimanjaro in the United Republic of Tanzania.One of the most popular dishes of Arusha is Nyama Choma, a northern Tanzanian barbeque dish. Nyama Choma is properly served with a side of Pili Pili sauce and a cold local beer or soda. Indeed, Arusha has always been on the list of the must visit places and the destination of choice to many international travelers.
TANZANIA AT A GLANCE
DODOMA
CAPITAL CITY
945,087 KM2
SIZE
EAST AFRICA
LOCATION
(EAT) GMT + 3
TIME ZONE
CLIMATE
Tropical Climate, with regional variations due to topography. Average temperature: 20 -31°C, Coolest periods are from June to September. The long rains from April through to May. Areas with high altitude are cooler.
The best wildlife viewing months in Tanzania are during the dry season from late June to October. The best chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is during June and July and the time to see the wildebeest calving is late January to March.
The Southern and Western Circuit Parks are best visited during the dry season (June to October), unlike the more popular Northern Circuit Parks that can be visited year-round. Tarangire is the only exception since its wildlife viewing is considerably better in the dry season as well.
CULTURE IN TANZANIA
Following Tanganyika's independence (1961) and unification with Zanzibar (1964), leading to the formation of the state of Tanzania, President Julius Nyerere emphasised a need to construct a national identity for the citizens of the new country. To achieve this, Nyerere provided what has been regarded by some commentators as one of the most successful cases of ethnic repression and identity transformation in Africa.
