Tanzania is an old and very beautiful country in Africa. It is known for its tourist centers and also wonderful culture. There is a lot of general knowledge about Tanzania, but there are untold stories about Tanzania that will surprise you. Do you know that Tanzania has the same National Anthem as South Africa?
We will be uncovering some historical, cultural, food, and religious facts, and more in the article. If you want to visit Tanzania or just want to know more about that beautiful country, this article will surely be an eye-opener for you.
1. The highest mountain in Tanzania is Mount Kilimanjaro. It is also the highest point in Africa, measuring about 5,895 meters.
2. The largest lake in Tanzania is Lake Tanganyika and it is also the 2nd largest lake in Africa.
3. Despite Swahili being the official language of Tanzania, English is the most spoken language.
4. Ladies in Tanzania, both tourists and natives are to cover their shoulders and their legs. So, when going for a vacation, leave your shorts and sleeveless.
5. In public, people of the opposite sex are not allowed to touch others because it is often seen as offensive in some places.
6. Giant turtles can be found living off the coast of Tanzania.
7. Taking a photograph of something before asking for permission is not allowed because they believe that the camera’s flash steals a bit of their soul.
8. Tanzania is the largest country in Eastern Asia with a land area of about 945,087 km².
9. Tanzanian hip hop is known as Bongo Flava.
10. Zanzibar is often referred to as Spice Island.
11. The former capital of Tanzania, Dar al-Salam means ‘home of peace’.
12. The name of the country was coined from the two counties that joined to form Tanzania; Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
13. Serengeti National park is the oldest park in Tanzania and also, and it is a famous tourist center.
14. The first currency of Tanzania was the florin but was later replaced in 1921.
15. The main income of the country is from agriculture.
16. Westerners in Tanzania are referred to as Mzungu.
17. The Anglo-Zanzibar war is the shortest war in history and was between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar. The war lasted for about 45 minutes.
18. Spice Island is often used to refer to Zanzibar.
19. Tanzania has the same National Anthem as South Africa.
20. The Rungwwecebus kipunji is a new species of monkey that was discovered in Tanzania in the year 2005.
21. Mount Kilimanjaro has 3 volcanic cones, Kibo, Shira, and Mawenzi.
22. Tanzania brags of 7 UNESCO Heritage sites including Selous Game Reserve and Ruins of Songo Mnara amongst others.
23. One of the greatest migrations in Africa occurs in Serengeti, Tanzania.
24. The Lake Manyara National Park is very famous for their tree climbing lions.
25. The oldest structure in Tanzania is Old Boma and it was built in the year 1866.
26. While on a Tanzanian Safari Tour, you are not allowed to take a walk inside the Tanzanian National Parks.
27. The national dish of Tanzania, ugali is made from boiled cornmeal paste that looks more like a doughy porridge.
28. The peak of Mount Kilimanjaro is always covered with snow throughout the year due to its high elevation.
29. There are 3 main islands in Tanzania which are Pemba, Mafia, and Zanzibar.
30. There are about 120 African tribal groups in Tanzania.
31. The Mawenzi and Shira peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro are extinct in terms of volcanic eruption while the highest peak, Kibo is dormant but could still erupt someday. Scientists calculated the possible time that it last erupted which was 360,000 years ago.
32. Many mammal species found in Tanzania like lions, wildebeest, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and giraffes are endangered due to poaching.
33. In the Olduvai Gorge in Northern Tanzania, many prehistoric stone tools have been found there.
34. The Tanzanian shilling replaced the East African shilling 5 years after their independence in 1961.
35. Tanzania is Africa’s largest clove producer.
36. Tanzania was at the center of the African slave trade.
37. Despite Zanzibar being in Tanzania, it has its own government.
38. Despite Dar es Salaam being very popular as the capital of Tanzania, Dodoma is its capital.
39. Tanzania is located very close to the equator with Mount Kilimanjaro sitting just 330km south of the equator.
40. Tanzania is among the regions of the first human civilization in Africa. The fossils found in those regions are believed to be as old as 5 million years.
41. Despite Swahili, Arabic, and English being the official languages of Tanzania, Swahili is the most used language followed by English.
42. Tanzania is a literate country with about 80% of the population aged 15 who can read and write.
43. The freedom torch, Uhuru is among the symbols of Tanzania. The rests are giraffes and African clove.
44. Tanzania is considered as one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on Earth.
45. Tanzania was under both German and British rule until it gained its independence.
46. Tanzania shares its borders with 8 countries including Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is also bordered by the Indian Ocean.
47. Tanzania is twice the size of California, three times the size of Poland, and almost the same size as Nigeria.
48. Despite Dodoma is the capital of Tanzania, the country’s main international airport is located in Dar es Salaam.
49. Lake Victoria the largest lake in Africa and the 2nd largest freshwater lake in the world is partly located in Tanzania.
50. Zanzibar is the largest island of Zanzibar and is locally known as Unguja.
51. The largest river in Africa, River Nile also flows through Tanzania.
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