Interesting Facts
Official name: United Republic of Tanzania. Name was formed following independence (1961) to designate the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar on April 26, 1964.
Area: 945,087 km ²
Population: 36,766,356 inhabitants (2005)
Ethnic groups: African Continent - native 99% ( Bantu are 95% with more than 130 tribes), the other 1% Asian, European and Arabic; Zanzibar-Arabic, Arabic mixed African and native
Capital: Dodoma (official), 203,833 inhabitants.; Dar es Salaam (administrative), 1,360,850 inhabitants (1988) The National Independence Day: of Tanzania is (December 9)
Language: Swahili and English (official). Numerous and local languages.
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Accepted USD in cash and travelers checks
Religion: 45% Christian, 35% Muslim, 20% indigenous beliefs
Political system: multiparty system
Time: GMT +03:00 hours
Electricity: 240 V
Weights and Measures: Metric system ( Kilogram - Kg )
History
History and background: Tanzania was colonized by Germany in the 1880s and came under British control after the First World War. Little is known about the former inhabitants of the region, except for the people of the Masai warriors. The United Republic of Tanzania was formed officially in 1964. In 1995, the country held its first multiparty elections, and the leaders have focused on economic reforms such as financial aid and the forgiveness of foreign debt.
Climate
Tanzania broadly has two very different climatic zones, inside high plateaus with a tropical climate and temperate coastal plain with a humid equatorial climate.
Stations:
- Dry season: from May to October, and the hottest months are December to February.
- Station rains: the big rainy season is from March to early May. The small rainy season runs from early November until mid-December.
As a reach
From Europe: There are several options to fly via a European capital, with British Airways, KLM and Swissair to Dar Es Salaam, KLM also flies to the Kilimanjaro International Airport.
From Kenya: There are several weekly flights linking the two countries. On land there are several points to cross the border but the most usual is Namanga since many tourists arrive at the international airport in Nairobi and from there by road are directed to Tanzania.
From Uganda, with the most common is cross MutuKula.
The borders with Rwanda and Burundi you have to cross to Uganda, Kenya then Connect to Tanzania.
Customs Formalities
In addition to a passport valid for at least 6 months, you need a visa which can be processed at the airport of arrival in the country, and land border crossings in New visa fees applied by the authorities for ordinary visas, transit business and multiple visas for stays of less than 6 months is $ 50.
Vaccinations
The vaccine against yellow fever is mandatory. Do not forget to bring the international certificate of vaccination. Vaccines not mandatory but recommended: typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, DTP (Difteria- tetanus-polio). Indispensable preventive treatment against malaria.
For more information consult the services of Foreign Health of each community
When to go
The more usual tourist season becomes effective from January and February, as the hot and dry weather is at that time of year and is considered the most pleasurable. But to visit the Serengeti National Park at its best time, it is advisable to avoid the period of drought, when literally all wildlife is going on holiday to Kenya. You must be prepared to deal with heavy rain, as many roads, especially in the South Coast may be too muddy for circulation.
The biggest event of the year in Tanzania is carried out in the Serengeti National Park, near the border with Kenya, where herds of wildbeest moving towards greener pastures of the neighboring country. More than two million of these animals begin their journey every April through the southern plains of Serengeti, accompanied by zebras, antelopes, gazelles and lions.