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Top 30 Fascinating Facts about Tanzania

Few countries in Africa can rival Tanzania for sheer natural majesty and cultural richness. From the golden savannahs of the Serengeti to the primaeval landscapes of Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania brims with one awe-inspiring vista after another, which are some of the most famous places and attractions to visit in the world. Yet there is more to this country than its postcard-perfect scenery.

Beyond nature and culture, Tanzania has been shaped by a long and complex history going back over a hundred thousand years to some of the earliest human ancestors. Shadowy slave traders, ambitious Colonialists, and even a peace-loving Chinese admiral have all left their mark on Tanzania through the centuries.

We’ve only grazed the surface of what makes Tanzania so endlessly fascinating. Join us as we lift the veil further on one of Africa’s most compelling countries. 

1. The name “Tanzania” is a combination of Tanganyika and Zanzibar

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The name “Tanzania” is a combination of the names Tanganyika and Zanzibar. In 1964, the newly formed country resulting from the union of the mainland of Tanganyika and the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba needed a new name to reflect the unified entity.

The name “Tanzania” was created by combining the first few letters of Tanganyika and the last few letters of Zanzibar. So Tanzania’s name represents the bringing together of the two formerly separate regions into one country.

2. The capital city of Tanzania is Dodoma

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Dodoma is the official capital city of Tanzania and one of the most famous cities in the world. In 1973, the Tanzanian government declared Dodoma to be the new political capital, moving it from the previous coastal capital of Dar es Salaam.

However, many government offices and embassies have yet to officially transfer operations from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma. This is partly due to inadequate infrastructure development in Dodoma in the decades following its designation as a capital.

So while Dodoma is legally the Tanzanian capital today, Dar es Salaam remains the economic center and location of most government activity, though gradual transitions continue toward making Dodoma the functioning political seat.

3. Tanzania is East Africa’s largest country

Tanzania is East Africa’s largest country by land area. With a total area of 947,300 square kilometres (or 365,756 square miles), Tanzania is more than twice the size of Kenya and three times larger than Uganda in terms of land mass.

Located on Africa’s Indian Ocean coast, Tanzania borders Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique by land. Of all those countries, only the DRC exceeds Tanzania’s vast territory within the Eastern Africa region. 

4. The country was colonized by Germans

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 Tanzania was colonized by Germans in the late 19th century. Specifically, in 1885, German East Africa was declared and included the area of present-day Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda.

The Germans seized land and established cash crop plantations in Tanzania, instituting harsh labour policies to push indigenous people into growing cotton, coffee, sisal, and other crops. Local resistance to German rule occurred most significantly in the 1905–1907 Maji Maji uprising against colonial abuses.

5. The country has been inhabited for at least 7,000 years

Tanzania has been inhabited for at least 7,000 years. The region’s history dates back to the hunter-gatherer communities around 7,000 years ago. Archaeological evidence, including artefacts and rock paintings found in various parts of Tanzania, supports this prolonged habitation.

The area’s rich history involves diverse indigenous groups, migrations, and cultural exchanges over millennia, contributing to the nation’s deep historical roots and the formation of its vibrant and diverse cultural tapestry.

6. Tanzania is home to the highest peak in Africa

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Tanzania is home to the highest mountain peak on the entire African continent—Mt. Kilimanjaro. Towering over Tanzania at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters), Mt. Kilimanjaro’s majestic snow-capped summit is the tallest point for thousands of miles in any direction across Africa.

It rises straight up from Tanzania’s northeastern plains near Kenya, with practically no foothills surrounding it. Africa’s other major peaks, like Mt. Kenya and the Ruwenzoris, fall over a mile shorter than the mighty Kilimanjaro, which dominates views and stands alone as Africa’s highest. It is truly an iconic natural wonder located solely within Tanzanian national borders.

7. Tanzania is home to the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

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The magnificent Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, formed around 2.5 million years ago.

This incredible natural enclosure spans over 100 square miles and provides a rich habitat for over 25,000 animals across diverse species. Spectacular for wildlife viewing year-round, the Ngorongoro Crater uniquely facilitates the coexistence of animals with natural predators.

Recognized internationally for natural conservation importance and ecosystem diversity, the crater became Tanzania’s first World Heritage Site in 1979. Because of its exceptional status and breathtaking scenery, the Ngorongoro Crater stands out as one of Tanzania’s most popular tourist destinations.

8. It became its own unified nation in 1964

Tanganyika, a former British colony, gained independence on December 9, 1961. Zanzibar, under Arab and later British rule, achieved independence on December 10, 1963. The two nations joined on April 26, 1964, forming the United Republic of Tanzania.

This union was a landmark event in East African history, merging Tanganyika and Zanzibar into a single sovereign state. The unification aimed to foster national solidarity, blend diverse cultures, and create a united front for socio-economic development, leading to the birth of modern-day Tanzania as a unified nation.

9. Tanzania has more animals per square mile of land than any other country

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Tanzania is unrivalled globally in wildlife density. With famous protected habitats like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro hosting the renowned annual Great Migration involving over a million herbivores, Tanzania packs astonishing numbers of animals into its parks and conservation areas.

Though Tanzania’s expansive terrain makes exact counts difficult, researchers confirm it surpasses comparable nations in animals per land area due to flourishing ecosystems and biodiversity preservation policies.

From big game like wildebeest, zebra, elephants, and hippos to abundant bird populations, Tanzania’s abundance of fauna concentrations eclipses regional African competitors and makes it a globally eminent destination for wildlife enthusiasts to witness incredible animal numbers roaming freely in breathtaking, picturesque natural landscapes.

10. It contributed to the birth of the iconic Swahili language

Tanzania played a significant role in shaping the Swahili language. The coastal regions of Tanzania, particularly areas like Zanzibar and Kilwa, served as crucial centres for trade and cultural exchange.

Swahili, a blend of Bantu languages with Arabic influences, evolved through interactions between Bantu-speaking communities and Arab traders along the East African coast, including present-day Tanzania.

This fusion of languages and cultures in Tanzania greatly contributed to the development and richness of Swahili, establishing it as a widely spoken language across East Africa and beyond and serving as a symbol of unity among diverse ethnic groups.

11. Tanzania is made up of at least 120 tribes

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Tanzania is made up of at least 120 different tribal groups. The exact number is difficult to verify, but most experts agree there are between 120 and 130 distinct tribes native to modern-day Tanzania.

The tribal groups represent ancient ethnic affiliations, with diversity resulting from historical migration patterns and geographic separation between people settling across Tanzania over the centuries. Large, prominent tribes include the Sukuma, Nyamwezi, Maasai, and Chagga peoples, while smaller tribal groups can claim just a few thousand members or less.

Despite the multiplicity of tribal identities and customs, tribal tensions are minimal compared to many African nations. Peaceful coexistence and cultural pride are the norm for Tanzania’s tribes, enhancing national unity rather than ethnic divides. So Tanzania’s high tribal count testifies to rich cultural variety within a singular Tanzanian identity.

12. The country has an abundance of precious gemstones

Tanzania is remarkably rich in precious gemstones. Major gemstone deposits have been mined in Tanzania for decades, including diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, along with many semi-precious varieties like tanzanite.

In terms of source countries for precious stones sold globally, Tanzania continually ranks among the world’s top producers of gems by volume and value. Certain regions of Tanzania have endured as reliably bountiful gem providers over generations, sustaining vibrant local mining industries and international trade.

For gem hunters and jewellery artisans worldwide, Tanzanian precious stones represent high quality at lower costs compared to better-known sources. So both by geological fortune and enterprising local expertise, Tanzania remains an epicentre country for discovering and exporting gorgeous, world-class precious gemstones.

13. Tanzania is home to the Olduvai Gorge, an important archaeological site in the world

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Tanzania is home to an extremely significant paleoanthropological site called the Olduvai Gorge. Known as the “Cradle of Mankind,” Olduvai Gorge spans a 50-kilometer arid landscape across northern Tanzania, where unique fossil remains have been dug up over decades.

World-renowned archaeological discoveries from early hominids have been made in this area over generations, cementing the Gorge as one of the world’s most crucial sites for understanding human evolution and our distant ancestral roots.

With historical finds dating back millions of years, Olduvai Gorge represents an invaluable look into the dawn of human origins and technological development, granting invaluable insight that sets it apart as truly one of the most important archaeological sites on the globe.

14. The nation is home to Africa’s largest lake

Tanzania is home to Africa’s largest lake by surface area—Lake Victoria. Stationed in northwest Tanzania on the border with Uganda and Kenya, Lake Victoria spans an expansive 26,828 square miles (69,484 square kilometres).

Besides being deemed Africa’s largest lake, it also ranks as the world’s second-largest freshwater lake by surface area after Lake Superior in North America. Lake Victoria is the cornerstone feature of Tanzania’s freshwater resources and biodiversity, providing a livelihood for over 40 million inhabitants between Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda as an essential source of food, transport, recreation, and employment in East Africa.

With its sustaining aquatic ecosystem, spearfishing industry, and panoramic vistas, immense Lake Victoria stands out as Tanzania’s most definitive inland geographical feature.

15. Tanzania has the largest concentration of baboons in the world

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Tanzania has a significant global concentration of baboons and monkeys within its borders. Tanzania’s wide array of protected wildlife areas, like Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara, host sizable troops of free-roaming baboons that thrive in these habitats.

Our major baboon species live in Tanzania—olive baboons, yellow baboons, chacma baboons, and Guinea baboons—representing all the major baboon classifications found throughout Africa. Researchers consistently catalogue a myriad of lively baboons inhabiting Tanzania’s parks and forests through ongoing wildlife observation efforts in the country.

With so many prized, baboon-friendly ecosystems in a nation celebrated for abundant and diverse animal populations generally, Tanzania provides ideal conditions to foster multiple large, lively baboon troupes scattered across its landscape.

16. Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam is the largest Swahili-speaking city in the world

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s major city, is indeed one of the largest Swahili-speaking urban centres globally. As the economic capital, its population predominantly converses in Swahili—a testament to the language’s widespread usage.

While other cities like Nairobi in Kenya and Mombasa in Kenya also boast significant Swahili-speaking populations, Dar es Salaam’s size and influence make it a prominent hub where Swahili serves as the primary language for daily communication, commerce, and cultural exchanges, showcasing the city’s pivotal role in the propagation and preservation of the Swahili language on an urban scale.

17. Their Serengeti is known for the wildebeest migration

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Tanzania’s vast Serengeti National Park is world-renowned for the annual Great Migration of wildebeests and other wildlife that occurs there. Each year, over 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, undertake the tremendous trek across the Serengeti, seeking fresh grazing pastures and water.

This unparalleled overland animal migration, moving in a seasonal circuit between Tanzania and Kenya, is the largest and longest land migration by mammals globally. With spectacular river crossings and predator encounters, the migration has made the Serengeti ecosystem famous worldwide as a bucket-list safari destination.

Stunning footage of tremendous herds stretching to the horizon vaulted the Serengeti and its migrating wildebeest population to global stardom.

18. Tanzanians consider greeting a person with the left hand disrespectful

In Tanzanian culture, using the left hand for greetings or gestures is generally considered impolite, taboo, and disrespectful. The right hand is traditionally preferred for greetings, offering items, or gestures of respect.

This cultural norm stems from historical beliefs associating the left hand with tasks considered unclean, such as personal hygiene. Using the right hand signifies respect and cleanliness.

While perceptions may vary among individuals, adhering to the custom of using the right hand for greetings is often regarded as a sign of politeness and cultural awareness in Tanzania.

19. Their favourite music genre is Bongo flava

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Bongo Flava, a genre-blending of various musical influences like hip-hop, R&B, reggae, and traditional Tanzanian rhythms, holds immense popularity among Tanzanians. Its catchy beats, relatable lyrics in Swahili, and reflection of local culture resonate widely.

While Bongo Flava enjoys widespread admiration for its representation of contemporary Tanzanian experiences, including social issues and daily life, Tanzanian musical tastes are diverse. Some of the most famous musicians from the nation include Ali Kiba and Diamond.

Other genres like Taarab, Gospel, and traditional music also captivate audiences, showcasing the nation’s rich musical tapestry, where Bongo Flava stands as a significant, but not exclusive, favourite music genre among Tanzanians.

20. Tanzania is the birthplace of Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury, the iconic lead vocalist of the band Queen, was born Farrokh Bulsara on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar on September 5, 1946. While his family hails from the Parsi community in India, Zanzibar’s cultural influences and his upbringing in Stone Town significantly impacted his early life.

At a young age, he moved to India and later relocated to England, where he eventually became a global music legend. Though he was born in Zanzibar, now part of Tanzania, Freddie Mercury’s worldwide fame stems from his remarkable career as a musician, making Tanzania an essential part of his early roots.

21. Zanzibar is famously dubbed the Spice Island

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Zanzibar is renowned as the “Spice Island” due to its historical significance in the spice trade. The island’s fertile soil and ideal climate facilitated the cultivation of various spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper, among others.

This rich array of aromatic spices made Zanzibar a prominent hub in the global spice trade during the 19th century. Today, visitors to Zanzibar can explore spice plantations, experiencing the island’s legacy firsthand while learning about the cultivation, history, and cultural importance of these spices, further solidifying Zanzibar’s enduring moniker as the famed “Spice Island.”

22. The highest-altitude pizza delivery on land happened in Tanzania

In May 2016, Pizza Hut Africa achieved a Guinness World Record for the highest land-based pizza delivery in Tanzania. They delivered a pepperoni pizza to Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit, standing at 19,341 feet. This groundbreaking delivery celebrated the inauguration of Tanzania’s inaugural Pizza Hut establishment

23. Tanzania hosted the shortest war in history

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The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 holds the record for the shortest recorded war in history. Lasting approximately 38 minutes on August 27, 1896, it occurred between the United Kingdom and the Sultanate of Zanzibar. Triggered by a succession dispute following the death of the Sultan, Britain demanded a pro-British successor.

When the Sultan’s forces refused to comply, British warships bombarded the Sultan’s palace. The conflict swiftly ended, resulting in minimal British casualties and the establishment of a British protectorate in Zanzibar, marking this brief but historically significant conflict as the shortest recorded war.

24. Around 43.7% of the total land area in Tanzania is protected or conserved in some way

Tanzania allocates a significant portion of its land for conservation. Roughly 43.7% of Tanzania’s total land area is designated for protection or conservation purposes. This includes national parks, game reserves, wildlife management areas, forest reserves, and marine parks.

These conservation areas are crucial for preserving Tanzania’s rich biodiversity, iconic wildlife such as elephants and lions, and diverse ecosystems. They also support eco-tourism, promoting sustainable practices while safeguarding the country’s natural heritage for future generations.

Tanzania’s commitment to conservation helps maintain its status as a top destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers globally.

25. Tanzania has the most expensive hardwood tree in the world 

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Tanzania is home to one of the world’s most expensive hardwood trees, the African Blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon), locally known as Mpingo. Renowned for its exceptional quality, density, and musical instrument-making properties, the African Blackwood holds substantial value in international markets.

This rare and slow-growing tree is highly sought after for crafting woodwind instruments like clarinets, oboes, and bagpipes due to its resonance and durability.

Its scarcity, coupled with high demand, contributes to the African Blackwood’s reputation as one of the world’s most expensive hardwood trees, predominantly found in Tanzania and parts of neighbouring countries.

26. Tanzania’s National Anthem is shared with South Africa and Zimbabwe

Tanzania’s national anthem, “Mungu Ibariki Afrika” (God Bless Africa) in Swahili, is shared with South Africa and Zimbabwe. The anthem’s origins trace back to 1897, when Enoch Sontonga, a Xhosa Methodist mission teacher from South Africa, composed it as a hymn.

During the anti-colonial and apartheid struggles, the hymn became a powerful symbol of pan-African unity and resistance, resonating with the aspirations of African liberation movements. Upon gaining independence, Tanzania, South Africa, and Zimbabwe adopted versions of the hymn as their national anthems, with each country using its own translation of the lyrics.

While the melody and the overall message of unity and hope remain consistent across the three versions, there are subtle variations in the lyrics to reflect each country’s specific history and national identity.

The shared anthem serves as a potent reminder of the interconnectedness of African nations and their shared aspirations for a brighter future.

27. Tanzanians call Westerners ‘wazungu’

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Tanzanians, just like Kenyans, often use the term “wazungu” to refer to individuals of European descent or people from the Western world.

The term “wazungu” in Swahili generally means “white people” or “foreigners” and is commonly used as a descriptive term for individuals with lighter skin or those perceived to be from Western countries.

While it’s a casual term used to identify individuals, it’s essential to note that its usage may vary in different contexts and regions within Tanzania, and it’s not inherently derogatory but rather a descriptive term based on appearance or origin.

28. The official currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling

The official currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling. After Tanzania was formed in 1964 from the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the Tanzanian shilling became the standardized legal tender used across the new nation to facilitate trade and commerce.

Printed and coined by the Bank of Tanzania to strict specifications for security and circulation levels, the Tanzania shilling comes in paper banknote denominations and metal coins valued from small change up to large note units.

Known by its currency code TZS and locally abbreviated as TSh, the Tanzanian shilling has endured over five decades as the solitary official medium of exchange accepted nationwide in daily transactions by consumers and businesses in Africa’s most populous East African country.

29. Tanzania has a rich culinary culture

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Tanzania boasts a diverse and flavorful culinary culture reflecting its cultural diversity. Staple foods include ugali (maize-based), wali (rice), and mshikaki (grilled meat skewers), which are some of the must-try foods in Africa.

Tanzanian cuisine incorporates influences from Arabic, Indian, and European cooking. Dishes like pilau (spiced rice), chapati (flatbread), nyama choma (barbecued meat), and samosas highlight this fusion. Local delicacies such as mtori (meat and plantains stew) and mishkaki (marinated grilled meats) are savoured.

Fresh seafood from coastal regions and tropical fruits like mangoes and pineapples enhance the culinary experience, showcasing Tanzania’s rich and varied gastronomy.

30. Tanzania has seven UNESCO Heritage sites

Tanzania has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites; these sites include Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Kilimanjaro National Park, Stone Town of Zanzibar, Kondoa Rock-Art Sites, and Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara.

From the highest free-standing mountain in the world to some of the planet’s most impressive wildlife sightings, Tanzania offers incredible natural scenery and experiences. Yet there is so much more that makes this East African country captivating.

The diverse cultures, complex history, and even the world’s oldest footprints preserve a rich past while vibrant art, music, and traditions ensure Tanzanian culture continues thriving into the future. We’ve only uncovered a snippet of what awaits – Tanzania is guaranteed to reward all who take the time to wander further and dig deeper beneath the surface.

This is a country that must be explored and savoured to fully reveal its enduring magic and mystery.