Tanzania Africa - History Of Tanzania
TanzaniaThe country of Tanzania is nestled snugly between Kenya and Mozambique. A country of great splendour and intrigue, Tanzania was formed in 1964 when Tanganyika merged with Zanzibar. This equatorial country is home to the world's second largest lake, the world's second deepest lake, and Africa's highest peak.
Situated only 6 degrees south of the equator, one would assume that the climate of Tanzania would be entirely tropical. In reality however, over 5 different climatic regions prevail throughout the country, from tropical along the coast to temperate in the highlands and it is clear that Tanzania is indeed as diverse a country as it is beautiful. Seasonal temperature variations are however relatively moderate, especially in the elevated Northern regions where temperatures seldom if ever soar to uncomfortable levels.
The two rainy seasons in Tanzania occur from late March to early June and again from early November to mid December. It is best to avoid planning a climb during this time as slopes tend to be slippery, and visibility incredibly poor. Weather is generally at its best between June and September, but it is worth keeping in mind that conditions on Kilimanjaro can be extremely unpredictable and temperatures at high altitude have been known to remain below freezing point all year round.
The national flag of Tanzania is made up of four colours, each having its own distinct meaning. Blue symbolises the Indian Ocean, green epitomises the land, gold signifies the mineral wealth and black represents the various peoples of Tanzania. The official language of the country is Swahili, or Kiunguji as it is called in Zanzibar. The motto of the Tanzanian people is 'Uhuru na umoja' which means 'Freedom and unity'- an embodiment of the values adopted by the government after the country gained independence from Britain in 1961.
As both the political and economic capital of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam is home to approximately 2.5 million people. Humid and dusty, its busy streets are a far cry from the rolling plains and wildlife parks that can be located just a few hours away. While not exactly a tourist's paradise, it is nevertheless a vivid and realistic example of East African city life. If the opportunity arises, places such as the National Museum, the Village Museum and the House of Arts are definitely worth a visit, if only for the cultural experience and traditional crafts.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, the rolling plains and palm dotted sands of rural Tanzania truly are a nature lover's paradise. From the exquisite scenery of the Ngorongoro Crater, to the pristine reefs off Chumbe Island, to the abundant wildlife of the Serengeti National park, to the spectacular sight of Mount Kilimanjaro against the skyline, this true heart of Africa truly will leave even the most seasoned traveller nothing short of totally breathless.
The Kilimanjaro Experience
