Tanzania History.
About Tanzania.
Tanzania is a land of spectacular beauty, and one of the largest countries in Africa, it is a union (formed in 1964) between the mainland (Tanganyika), and the Zanzibar Isles consisting of Unguja (also known as Zanzibar) and Pemba. It lies on the east coast of Africa, between 1degree and 11degrees south of the Equator. It is bordered to the north by Kenya and Uganda. To the west is Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi and Zambia, and to the south are Malawi and Mozambique. It covers an area of 945,000 sq. km, the size of Denmark, France, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom combined. Tanzania comprises a coastal lowland, volcanic highlands and the Great Rift Valley and includes within its territory, Africa's highest peak. Tanzania is the only country in the world which has allocated at least 25 per cent of its total area to wildlife national parks and protected areas. The total protected area is equivalent to the size of the Federal Republic of Germany and Belgium combined. The 55,000 sq. km Selous Game Reserve, the largest single wildlife area in Africa, is bigger than Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, Burundi, Israel, Lesotho and Kuwait respectively.
CLIMATE.
Tropical weather prevails over most of Tanzania. The coastal area is hot and humid. In the northern circuit cool weather prevails from May to September. The hottest months for the whole country are from October to February. The long rains are from March to May, and the short rains from October to November. Coastal areas and the islands have tropical climate, whereas the central plateau is semi-arid and the highlands are semi-temperature.
THE PEOPLE.
The evocative mix of people and cultures in Tanzania creates a tapestry of memories for the visitor.
Since the dawn of mankind, when the savannahs of east and southern Africa saw the birth of humanity, Tanzania has been home to countless peoples of many different origins. Tanzania's history has been influenced by a procession of peoples, from the original Bantu settlers from south and west Africa to the Arabs from Shiraz in Persia and the Oman; from the Portuguese to the Germans and the British. Tanzanians took control of their own destiny with independence in 1961.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ATTRACTIONS
Besides the natural attractions mentioned, Tanzania has historical and cultural sites. The Coastal towns of Kilwa and Bagamoyo for example have a long history and rich cultural traditions that date back to the 13th century. Kilwa was the center of gold trade and Bagamoyo was already well-established natural harbor, which bears the reminders of the infamous slaves’ trade and ivory trade. This port was widely used by Arabs, Persians, Chinese and Portuguese traders.
Bagamoyo... in addition to its history, Bagamoyo also offers water sports, big game fishing and scuba diving. Its magnificent resort hotels are fully equipped for sports activities. About two miles south of Bagamoyo one can find the ruins of the once prosperous Arab town Kaole, which was forced into decline by the Portuguese in the 15th century. The Kaole ruins date back to the 12th century includes two mosques and a well which never runs dry. All these buildings were built using carved coral stone blocks. A safari to historical sites will also take you to another coastal world’s heritage town of Kilwa.
Kilwa is home to the most spectacular 13th century a ruin on the East African Coast. It was during the 13th century that Kilwa established itself as a center for gold trade. Signs of its prosperity can still be seen through the ruins.
Dar es Salaam, which means “Heaven of Peace” in Arabic, is the commercial city of Tanzania. Dar es Salaam is one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Over the years, it has become a bustling port bust has retained its charm. The city is also a melting pot for both local and international cultures. The city has a rich history seen through its architectural delights that depict Asian, Arabic, British and German-Bavarian influence. The Asian influence is strong.
The State House, St. Joseph Cathedral, the Lutheran Azania Front Church, Dar es salaam botanical garden and the City Council office (old Boma) just to mention a few are the legacies of the German era. They are worth seeing. Dar es Salaam has a lot to offer in terms of cultural and art tourism including panoramic tour of the newly built fish market, water sports at its silver beaches, hi-life and so on. TRAVEL BY LOCALS can put up the most exciting tour to suit all needs and desires Countrywide. Dar es salaam offers a wide choice of hotels accommodation to suit every pocket ranging from five star hotels to Guest hoses in the center of the ”Heaven of Peace.”
Southeast of Dar es Salaam lies a world-class paradise island for of divers, fisherman and water sport lovers. This is no other island than Mafia, an island at the far reaches of the ever-busy world. While on this island, time seems to come to a stop. Its warm waters are incredibly transparent with its rich variety of the coral permitting unimaginable quantity of fishes.
In addition to the fantastic wildlife, glorious beaches and stunning scenery there are plenty of other things to see in Tanzania. These include:
Amboni Caves are located in Tanga Region. They are limestone caves formed during the Jurassic Age some 150 million years ago and are the most extensive cave system in East Africa.
Isimla Stone Age Site is located in south of Iringa where in 1951 the richest finds of Stone Age were discovered together with many fossilized bones believed to be those of mammals related to the modern giraffes, but having much shorter necks and hippopotamus with unusual periscope-like projections.
Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings in central Tanzania are some of the finest examples of rock paintings in the world. These paintings depict the animals and customs of the people at the time.
Kalambo Falls which drop 215 metres are found near the southern tip of Lake Tanganyika. It is one of the highest water falls in the world after Tugela Falls in South Africa.
Lake Victoria is the world’s second largest fresh water lake after Lake Superior found in North America. It is here that the first European Burton Speke saw the source of the River Nile. The Lake is also famous for its large population of Tilapia and the Nile Perch. It serves as a bridge for the three East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The Lake also provides water for domestic, industry and irrigation purposes.
Lake Tanganyka is the world’s second deepest fresh water lake. Famous for its large population of sardines and more than 250 different species of fish, the lake also links Tanzania with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Zambia.
Lake Nyasa is well known for its unique species of aquarium fish. The Lake also links Tanzania with Malawi.
Tanzania is a land of spectacular beauty, and one of the largest countries in Africa, it is a union (formed in 1964) between the mainland (Tanganyika), and the Zanzibar Isles consisting of Unguja (also known as Zanzibar) and Pemba. It lies on the east coast of Africa, between 1degree and 11degrees south of the Equator. It is bordered to the north by Kenya and Uganda. To the west is Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi and Zambia, and to the south are Malawi and Mozambique. It covers an area of 945,000 sq. km, the size of Denmark, France, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom combined. Tanzania comprises a coastal lowland, volcanic highlands and the Great Rift Valley and includes within its territory, Africa's highest peak. Tanzania is the only country in the world which has allocated at least 25 per cent of its total area to wildlife national parks and protected areas. The total protected area is equivalent to the size of the Federal Republic of Germany and Belgium combined. The 55,000 sq. km Selous Game Reserve, the largest single wildlife area in Africa, is bigger than Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, Burundi, Israel, Lesotho and Kuwait respectively.
CLIMATE.
Tropical weather prevails over most of Tanzania. The coastal area is hot and humid. In the northern circuit cool weather prevails from May to September. The hottest months for the whole country are from October to February. The long rains are from March to May, and the short rains from October to November. Coastal areas and the islands have tropical climate, whereas the central plateau is semi-arid and the highlands are semi-temperature.
THE PEOPLE.
The evocative mix of people and cultures in Tanzania creates a tapestry of memories for the visitor.
Since the dawn of mankind, when the savannahs of east and southern Africa saw the birth of humanity, Tanzania has been home to countless peoples of many different origins. Tanzania's history has been influenced by a procession of peoples, from the original Bantu settlers from south and west Africa to the Arabs from Shiraz in Persia and the Oman; from the Portuguese to the Germans and the British. Tanzanians took control of their own destiny with independence in 1961.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ATTRACTIONS
Besides the natural attractions mentioned, Tanzania has historical and cultural sites. The Coastal towns of Kilwa and Bagamoyo for example have a long history and rich cultural traditions that date back to the 13th century. Kilwa was the center of gold trade and Bagamoyo was already well-established natural harbor, which bears the reminders of the infamous slaves’ trade and ivory trade. This port was widely used by Arabs, Persians, Chinese and Portuguese traders.
Bagamoyo... in addition to its history, Bagamoyo also offers water sports, big game fishing and scuba diving. Its magnificent resort hotels are fully equipped for sports activities. About two miles south of Bagamoyo one can find the ruins of the once prosperous Arab town Kaole, which was forced into decline by the Portuguese in the 15th century. The Kaole ruins date back to the 12th century includes two mosques and a well which never runs dry. All these buildings were built using carved coral stone blocks. A safari to historical sites will also take you to another coastal world’s heritage town of Kilwa.
Kilwa is home to the most spectacular 13th century a ruin on the East African Coast. It was during the 13th century that Kilwa established itself as a center for gold trade. Signs of its prosperity can still be seen through the ruins.
Dar es Salaam, which means “Heaven of Peace” in Arabic, is the commercial city of Tanzania. Dar es Salaam is one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Over the years, it has become a bustling port bust has retained its charm. The city is also a melting pot for both local and international cultures. The city has a rich history seen through its architectural delights that depict Asian, Arabic, British and German-Bavarian influence. The Asian influence is strong.
The State House, St. Joseph Cathedral, the Lutheran Azania Front Church, Dar es salaam botanical garden and the City Council office (old Boma) just to mention a few are the legacies of the German era. They are worth seeing. Dar es Salaam has a lot to offer in terms of cultural and art tourism including panoramic tour of the newly built fish market, water sports at its silver beaches, hi-life and so on. TRAVEL BY LOCALS can put up the most exciting tour to suit all needs and desires Countrywide. Dar es salaam offers a wide choice of hotels accommodation to suit every pocket ranging from five star hotels to Guest hoses in the center of the ”Heaven of Peace.”
Southeast of Dar es Salaam lies a world-class paradise island for of divers, fisherman and water sport lovers. This is no other island than Mafia, an island at the far reaches of the ever-busy world. While on this island, time seems to come to a stop. Its warm waters are incredibly transparent with its rich variety of the coral permitting unimaginable quantity of fishes.
In addition to the fantastic wildlife, glorious beaches and stunning scenery there are plenty of other things to see in Tanzania. These include:
Amboni Caves are located in Tanga Region. They are limestone caves formed during the Jurassic Age some 150 million years ago and are the most extensive cave system in East Africa.
Isimla Stone Age Site is located in south of Iringa where in 1951 the richest finds of Stone Age were discovered together with many fossilized bones believed to be those of mammals related to the modern giraffes, but having much shorter necks and hippopotamus with unusual periscope-like projections.
Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings in central Tanzania are some of the finest examples of rock paintings in the world. These paintings depict the animals and customs of the people at the time.
Kalambo Falls which drop 215 metres are found near the southern tip of Lake Tanganyika. It is one of the highest water falls in the world after Tugela Falls in South Africa.
Lake Victoria is the world’s second largest fresh water lake after Lake Superior found in North America. It is here that the first European Burton Speke saw the source of the River Nile. The Lake is also famous for its large population of Tilapia and the Nile Perch. It serves as a bridge for the three East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The Lake also provides water for domestic, industry and irrigation purposes.
Lake Tanganyka is the world’s second deepest fresh water lake. Famous for its large population of sardines and more than 250 different species of fish, the lake also links Tanzania with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Zambia.
Lake Nyasa is well known for its unique species of aquarium fish. The Lake also links Tanzania with Malawi.