Country information

Area: 945,000 sq km (365,000 sq miles)
Population: 40,400,000 (UN, 2007)
Capital: Dodoma is the official capital and seat of Tanzania's Union Parliament. Dar es Salaam remains home to government ministries and major institutions, including diplomatic missions.
People: Some 120 ethnic groups on the mainland, none exceeding 10% of the population. Larger groups include Sukuma, Nyamwezi, Ha, Chagga, Masai, Haya and Gogo. There are Asian and expatriate minorities.
Languages: The official languages are Kiswahili and English; of these, Kiswahili is by for the more widely spoken.
Religions: Christianity (35%), Islam (35%) and traditional beliefs (around 30%). (Zanzibar is roughly 98% Muslim).
Currency: Tanzania shilling (Tsh). £1 buys Tsh 2100 (1 October 2008).
Major Political Parties: Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Civic United Front (CUF), Chama cha Democrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA)
Head of State: President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (elected December 2005).
President of Zanzibar: Amani Karume (re-elected October 2005)
Prime Minister: Mizengo Pinda (appointed February 2008)
Foreign Minister: Bernard Membe
Membership of international groupings/organisations: East Africa Community (EAC) Southern African Development Community (SADC), Commonwealth, World Trade Organisation, African Union (AU), and the United Nations (UN). 

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