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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.
Area: 945,087 sq km
Population: 36,232,074
Ethnic groups: 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
Religions: mainland - Christian 45%, Muslim 35%, indigenous
beliefs 20%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim
Languages: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguju (name
for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of
commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely
spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages
note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu
people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although
Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws
on a variety of sources, including Arabic and English, and it has
become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first
language of most people is one of the local languages
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 67.8%
male: 79.4%
female: 56.8% (1995 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 8.09% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.3 million (1999
est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 140,000 (1999 est.)
Capital: Dar es Salaam; note - legislative offices have been
transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital;
the National Assembly now meets there on regular basis
Administrative divisions: 25 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam,
Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya,
Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa,
Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South,
Zanzibar North, Zanzibar Urban/West
Political parties and leaders: Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo
or CHADEMA [Bob MAKANI, chairman]; Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM (Revolutionary
Party) [Benjamin William MKAPA, chairman]; Civic United Front or
CUF [Seif Sharif HAMAD, secretary-general]; Democratic Party (unregistered)
[Reverend Christopher MTIKLA, leader]; National Convention for Construction
and Reform or NCCR [Kassim MAGUTU, secretary-general]; Tanzania
Labor Party or TLP [Augustine Lyatonga MREMA, chairman]; Union for
Multiparty Democracy or UMD [leader NA]; United Democratic Party
or UDP [John CHEYO, leader]
Economy - overview: Tanzania is one of the poorest countries
in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which
accounts for 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. Industry is
mainly limited to processing agricultural products and light consumer
goods. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral
donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's deteriorated
economic infrastructure. Growth in 1991-2000 featured a pick up
in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of
minerals, led by gold. Natural gas exploration in the Rufiji Delta
looks promising and production could start by 2002. Recent banking
reforms have helped increase private sector growth and investment.
Continued donor support and solid macroeconomic policies should
allow Tanzania to achieve real GDP growth of 6% in 2001 and in 2002.
Population below poverty line: 51.1% (1991 est.)
Currency: Tanzanian shilling
Information taken from the CIA
world factbook.
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Cambridge or ex-Cambridge students that
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