Sub Saharan Africa

Tanzania
Last reviewed: 18 November 2011

Country information

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Map of Tanzania

Area: 945,000 sq km (365,000 sq miles)
Population: 42,500,000 (IMF, 2008)
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, 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 2656.28 approx (October, 2011).
Major Political Parties: Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Chama cha Democrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) and Civic United Front (CUF).
Head of State: President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (elected 2005 and re-elected October 2010).
Vice-President (Union): Dr. Mohammed Gharib Bilal (appointed November 2010)
President of Zanzibar: Ali Mohammed Shein (elected October 2010)
First Vice-President (Zanzibar): Seif Shariff Hamad-CUF (appointed November, 2010).
Second vice-President (Zanzibar): Ambassador Seif Ali Iddi-CCM (appointed November, 2010).
The two Vice-Presidents were appointed as part of the framework of the coalition government called the Government of National Unity (GNU) following the 31 July 2010 referendum that concluded the resolution process (Muafaka Accord) between the main political parties on the islands of Unguja and Pemba (Zanzibar) (CCM and CUF) .
Prime Minister: Mizengo Pinda (re-appointed November 2010 )
Foreign Minister: Bernard Membe (re-appointed November 2010 )
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).