Tanzania: Beyond the Wildlife

Here are 6 not-so-known facts about Tanzania that go beyond its natural reserves.

1. Tanzania is home to 51 million people from 125 ethnic groups.

Tanzania’s official languages are Swahili and English, but according to Ethnologue, 127 languages are spoken across the country - 60 are in active use, and 20 are in development. Ethnic languages are of Bantu and Nilotic origins.

2. Tanzania was found by the unification of two East African countries.

The United Republic of Tanzania was established by the union of two former British colonies Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The 1964 agreement was signed by the first Tanganyika President Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere and the first Zanzibar President Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume.

3. The name Serengeti derives from the Maasai word siringet.

The Maasai, one of 162 tribes residing in Tanzania, referred to the open lands of the Serengeti as siringet meaning “the place where the land runs on forever.”

4. Dar es Salaam is the largest Swahili-speaking city in the world.

Tanzania’s former capital Dar es Salaam is the nation’s most populous city with 4.4 million people. Located off of the Swahili Coast, this city not only has the busiest port but also attracts tourists visiting the Indian Ocean islands.

5. Tanzania shares its national anthem with other African countries.

“Mungu Ibariki Afrika” is the national anthem of Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The title in Swahili translates to God bless Africa.

6. The tallest mountain in Africa sits in Tanzania.

Tanzania is also the home of Mount Kilimanjaro. This dormant volcano, sitting 5,895 meters above sea level, sees more than 30,000 hikers each year, who spend between five to nine days to reach the summit.