Tanzania

Exploring the Natural Wonders of Tanzania

Tanzania is a country located in East Africa, bordered by Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, the Comoro Islands, Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is part of the Africa Great Lakes region and the official language is Swahili. The currency used is the Tanzanian Shilling. Tanzania is home to the largest and deepest lake in Africa, Lake Tanganyika, and Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. The current capital city is Dodoma, though it was previously Dar es Salaam. The name “Tanzania” was created by combining the two states of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Tanzania is the 31st largest country in the world and the 13th largest in Africa. It has four international airports and over 100 airstrips, including Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha International Airport, Mwanza International Airport, and Julius Nyerere International Airport. Some of the major cities in Tanzania include Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, Dodoma, Mbeya, and Zanzibar City.

Tanzania has 16 national parks and reserves, such as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Some of the popular parks include Gombe Stream National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ruaha National Park, Katavi National Park, and Tarangire National Park, which is known for its tree-climbing lions. Other parks in Tanzania include Lake Manyara National Park, Selous National Park, and Kilimanjaro National Park. The Serengeti National Park is especially known for its predators, including leopards, lions, and cheetahs. Water bodies that support the wildlife in these parks include Lake Natron, Lake Manyara, Lake Magadi, Momella Lakes, and the River Rufiji.

Tanzania is home to a number of unique animals, including the Zanzibar Red Colobus, the Pemba Flying Fox, Bakari’s Free-tailed Bat, the Tanzania Coast Dwarf Galago, the Kilimanjaro Mouse Shrew, and the Eastern Arc Wood-Mouse. Unique birds in the country include the Yellow Collared Lovebird, the Pemba Scops Owl,