Discover Fascinating Tanzania Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Tanzania.
Tanzania
Background
๐ Tanzania has a fascinating history! ๐น๐ฟ It started as part of German East Africa in the late 19th century. After World War I, it became a British territory known as Tanganyika. ๐๏ธ Then, in the early 1960s, after gaining independence from Britain, Tanganyika joined forces with Zanzibar. Together, they created the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964! ๐
Exports - commodities
Tanzania has a variety of valuable exports! ๐โจ Hereโs a list of some of the main commodities that the country exports:
- Gold ๐ฐ
- Raw Copper ๐ฅ
- Refined Copper ๐ง
- Copper Ore โ๏ธ
- Coconuts/Brazil nuts/Cashews ๐ฐ๐ฅฅ
These items contribute significantly to Tanzania's economy, showcasing the country's rich natural resources and agricultural products! ๐
Exports - partners
Tanzania's Export Partners ๐
In 2022, Tanzania had some interesting partners for its exports! Letโs see how they stack up:
- India: 27% ๐
- UAE: 11% โ๏ธ
- South Africa: 9% ๐ฟ๐ฆ
- Kenya: 5% ๐ฐ๐ช
- Rwanda: 5% ๐ท๐ผ
These percentages show the share of each country in Tanzania's total exports! Isnโt it fascinating how trade connects different nations? ๐
Let's dive into a fun pie chart to visualize this data! ๐
Total export share from top partners
57%
Tanzania's Export Partners in 2022
- India
- UAE
- South Africa
- Kenya
- Rwanda
Capital
๐ Welcome to Tanzania! Did you know that the capital city of Tanzania is Dodoma? It became the national capital in 1996! ๐ผ Before Dodoma, the bustling city of Dar es Salaam was the capital. Dar es Salaam is not only the biggest city in Tanzania but also its commercial hub! ๐๏ธ Let's dive into these important places that play a key role in Tanzania's heart and economy! ๐
Current National Capital
Dodoma
Year Designated as National Capital
1996
Original National Capital
Dar es Salaam
Largest City
Dar es Salaam
Imports - commodities
Tanzania imports a variety of commodities to meet its needs! ๐ In 2022, the country focused on bringing in refined petroleum, refined copper, garments, fertilizers, and plastics. Each of these plays a crucial role in helping Tanzania grow and develop its economy. Let's explore these important commodities a bit more:
- Refined Petroleum: A vital energy source for transportation and industry. ๐
- Refined Copper: Essential for electrical wiring and construction. โก
- Garments: Clothing that keeps the people stylish and comfortable. ๐
- Fertilizers: Boosting agriculture to ensure food security. ๐ฑ
- Plastics: Used in countless products from containers to toys. ๐งด
These imports show how Tanzania engages with the global market! ๐
Imported Commodities
refined petroleum, refined copper, garments, fertilizers, plastics
Climate
Tanzania is blessed with a wonderful variety of climates! ๐โ๏ธ Along the beautiful coast, the climate is tropical, which means it's warm and usually humid, perfect for tropical plants and beaches. ๐๏ธ But if you head up to the highlands, it changes to a temperate climate, which is cooler and more like springtime most of the year. ๐ This mix of climates makes Tanzania a unique place with lots of different ecosystems and adventures waiting to be discovered!
Executive branch
Executive Branch of Tanzania ๐น๐ฟ
The executive branch in Tanzania is led by President Samia Suluhu HASSAN, who has been in office since March 19, 2021. ๐ This makes her the chief of state as well as the head of government! Her leadership marks an important period for the nation.
Both roles, chief of state and head of government, are held by her, showing the central role she plays in steering Tanzania's future.
It's fascinating to see how one person can hold such significant responsibilities, guiding a whole country! ๐
Date President took office
March 19, 2021
Current President
Samia Suluhu HASSAN
Legislative branch
In Tanzania, the legislative branch is known as the National Assembly. ๐๏ธ It is a unicameral body, which means it has only one chamber. The National Assembly is made up of a total of 393 seats where various representatives gather to make important decisions for the country. ๐
Total seats in the National Assembly
393
Natural resources
๐ Tanzania is blessed with a variety of natural resources that boost its economy and provide opportunities for development! Hereโs a quick look at some of the treasures found in this vibrant country:
- Hydropower: A key energy source that helps power homes and industries.
- Tin: A valuable metal used in electronics and packaging.
- Phosphates: Essential for fertilizers and agriculture, helping to feed the nation.
- Iron Ore: A crucial material for manufacturing steel and construction.
- Coal: Important for energy production and industrial processes.
- Diamonds: Precious gems that sparkle and shine, making Tanzania famous!
- Gemstones: Including the unique tanzanite, found nowhere else on Earth!
- Gold: A shiny metal that attracts attention and investment.
- Natural Gas: An essential resource for energy and fuel.
- Nickel: Used in batteries and numerous industrial applications.
With such a rich array of resources, Tanzania has the potential to power its economy and create jobs for its people! ๐ชโจ
Unique gemstone found only in Tanzania
Tanzanite
Main energy resource
Hydropower
Economic overview
Tanzania is an emerging lower middle-income country in East Africa ๐. It's not just about scenic views; this nation is resource-rich and has a booming tourism sector! ๐๏ธ After the pandemic, the country is seeing a strong recovery in sectors like hospitality, electricity, mining, and transit. ๐
What's even more exciting is the decline in poverty levels, showing that more people are lifting themselves up and thriving! ๐ช Inflation remains stable, which is good news for everyone's pockets. However, the country still faces challenges, such as gender-based violence and disruptions in the economic and labor force.
Overall, Tanzania is on an upward trend and filled with potential! ๐
Income Classification
Lower middle-income
Sector Recovery
Strong post-pandemic recovery in hospitality, electricity, mining, and transit sectors
Poverty Decline
Declining
Inflation Status
Stable
Key Challenges
Gender-based violence and economic/labor force disruptions
Government type
๐ Tanzania is a presidential republic! This means that the country is governed by an elected president, who is both the head of state and the head of government. In this system, the president has significant powers and is responsible for making important decisions that affect the nation. Isn't it interesting to learn about how different countries are governed? ๐น๐ฟ
Ethnic groups
In Tanzania, the ethnic landscape is primarily shaped by the African population, which makes up an astonishing 99% of the mainland population! ๐ Among these, about 95% belong to the Bantu group, with more than 130 tribes contributing to the rich and diverse culture of the country. On the other hand, we have a tiny 1% of the population made up of other ethnicities, including Asian, European, and Arab descent.
On the enchanting island of Zanzibar, the ethnic mix includes not only Arabs and Africans but also a blend of both! This diversity creates a vibrant tapestry of languages, customs, and traditions that make Tanzania a unique place on the globe! ๐
Total percentage of Africans on the mainland
99%
Percentage of Bantu within African population
95%
Number of tribes in Bantu group
130
Percentage of other ethnicities
1%
Ethnic Distribution in Tanzania
- African
- Other
Religions
In Tanzania, the religious landscape is vibrant and diverse! Let's take a closer look at the percentages of major religions practiced in the country:
- Christianity: A significant 63.1% of the population identifies as Christian. โ๏ธ
- Islam: Around 34.1% of Tanzanians practice Islam. โช๏ธ
- Folk religions account for 1.1%.
- Smaller percentages include Buddhists, Hindus, and Jews, each accounting for less than 1%. ๐
- There is also 1.6% of the population that is unspecified.
This rich tapestry of faiths contributes to the cultural fabric of Tanzania!
Percentage of Christians
63.1%
Percentage of Muslims
34.1%
Percentage of Folk Religion Practitioners
1.1%
Percentage Unspecified
1.6%
Religious Distribution in Tanzania (2020)
- Christianity
- Islam
- Folk Religion
- Buddhism
- Hinduism
- Judaism
- Other
- Unspecified
Languages
Tanzania is a vibrant country with a rich tapestry of languages! ๐ The official languages are Kiswahili (also known as Swahili) and English. Kiswahili is not just spoken on the mainland; it has a special name called Kiunguja when talked about in Zanzibar! ๐ English plays a big role in business and education, making it super important for many people. ๐ Besides these two, you can also hear Arabic and a variety of local languages throughout the country. Isn't that fascinating? Let's dive into the world of words! ๐ฃ๏ธ
Official Languages
2
Primary Language of Commerce
English
Name for Swahili in Zanzibar
Kiunguja
Imports - partners
๐ Let's take a look at Tanzania's import partners for the year 2022! It's fascinating to see where Tanzania gets its goods from. Here's the breakdown of the top countries that Tanzania imports from:
- China: 30% ๐จ๐ณ
- India: 18% ๐ฎ๐ณ
- UAE (United Arab Emirates): 11% ๐ฆ๐ช
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: 5% ๐จ๐ฉ
- Saudi Arabia: 2% ๐ธ๐ฆ
This data shows how Tanzania is connected to different parts of the world in terms of trade! Isn't it amazing how interconnected we are? ๐ซ
Top Import Partner
China with 30%
Second Top Import Partner
India with 18%
Smallest Import Partner
Saudi Arabia with 2%
Tanzania's Import Partners (2022)
- China
- India
- UAE
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Saudi Arabia
Population
๐ Tanzania is home to a bustling population of 67,462,121 people! That's a lot of friendly faces! Each person contributes to the vibrant culture and rich diversity of this beautiful country. ๐บ With such a large population, each Tanzanian has their own unique story to tell, making Tanzania a lively place to explore! ๐
Area
๐ Tanzania is a beautiful country with a whopping total area of 947,300 sq km! Thatโs a lot of space to explore! Out of this total area, the land covers 885,800 sq km which is where all the amazing wildlife and nature can be found. But donโt forget about the water! ๐ Tanzania also has 61,500 sq km of water, which includes stunning lakes and rivers. Together, these areas make Tanzania a vibrant and diverse place to visit!
Total Area
947300 sq km
Land Area
885800 sq km
Water Area
61500 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Let's take a look at Tanzania's Real GDP over the past few years! Real GDP shows how much the economy is producing, taking into account how prices change over time. ๐ Hereโs what we found out:
- 2021: $212.79 billion
- 2022: $222.506 billion
- 2023: $234.05 billion
Looks like Tanzania's economy is growing! From 2021 to 2023, the GDP has increased by a whopping $21.26 billion! ๐๐ฐ
Isn't it exciting to see how the economy is doing? Letโs visualize this growth! ๐
Real GDP in 2023
234.05 billion USD
Real GDP in 2022
222.506 billion USD
Real GDP in 2021
212.79 billion USD
GDP Growth from 2021 to 2023
21.26 billion USD
Tanzania's Real GDP Over the Years
- y
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per Capita in Tanzania ๐น๐ฟ
Tanzania's economy is on the grow! ๐ฑ Check out the real GDP per capita over the past few years:
- 2021: $3,500
- 2022: $3,500
- 2023: $3,600
This shows that in 2023, the GDP per capita increased to $3,600, which means people in Tanzania are, on average, producing more value than in the past! ๐ Each year is a step towards a brighter future.
Let's visualize this growth with a chart! ๐
Real GDP per capita in 2023
$3,600
Real GDP per capita in 2022
$3,500
Real GDP per capita in 2021
$3,500
Tanzania Real GDP per Capita (2021-2023)
- y
Imports
๐ Let's explore Tanzania's imports! ๐ฆ Over the past few years, Tanzania has seen significant growth in its import numbers. Hereโs how the imports have looked:
- 2020: $9.151 billion
- 2021: $11.61 billion
- 2022: $16.674 billion
Isn't it exciting to see how much Tanzania is bringing in to support its economy? ๐
Total Import in 2022
$16.674 billion
Total Import Growth from 2020 to 2022
$7.523 billion
Tanzania's Import Growth Over Time
- y
Exports
๐น๐ฟ Let's take a look at Tanzania's exports! ๐ In recent years, the country's export numbers have shown a steady increase. ๐ Hereโs how they stack up:
- 2020: $8.555 billion
- 2021: $9.874 billion
- 2022: $11.986 billion
This data suggests that Tanzania is boosting its exports, which is exciting for the economy! ๐ฐ
Total Exports in 2022
$11.986 billion
Total Exports in 2021
$9.874 billion
Total Exports in 2020
$8.555 billion
Tanzania's Export Growth Over Time
- y
Population growth rate
In Tanzania, the population is growing at an impressive rate! ๐ As of 2024, the estimated growth rate is 2.72%. This means more and more people are calling Tanzania home each year! ๐ The growth brings excitement and challenges for the country's future!
Population growth rate for Tanzania in 2024
2.72%