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Tanzania “the cradle of mankind” is the largest of the three East African States with a total area of approximately 943,000 sq km, including 2640 sq km belonging to the Zanzibar archipelago. It lies between 900 and 1800 m in altitude and situated between the two branches of the Great Rift Valley, just below the Equator. It is bordered by shimmering lakes and the Indian Ocean, from Mount Kilimanjaro in the North to Mozambique in the South. Its landscapes varies from the green tropics, 800 km of coastline with, silver sand, coral reefs and mangrove swamps, to the beige semi-desert of the central plateau, the eternal snow of the northern mountains and the savannah of the largest and best game reserves in the world. What first strikes the visitor to Tanzania is its sheer physical size and infinite variety. The country embraces the green islands of Pemba, Zanzibar and Mafia. Over a quarter of Tanzania is made up of National Parks, game reserves, and controlled areas.
Tanzania is the home of Africa's highest mountain; Mt. Kilimanjaro standing at 5895m as well as the lowest point in Africa; the floor of Lake Tanganyika, which lies at 358m below sea level.
Tanzania has one of the best climates in the world due to its proximity to the equator. In general, the coolest months are from June to October and the warmest are from December to March.
Dodoma is the capital City of Tanzania although Dar Es Salaam is the main harbour and major trading centre.
The official Language spoken is Swahili, but English is widely spoken especially in major towns.
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IMPORTANT TOWNS. - Arusha
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Once a small trading post, its significance is due to its geographical position in the centre of Africa, mid way between the Cape and Cairo, Arusha is today an agricultural town and the comfortable base for all safaris in the northern part of Tanzania. The Arusha National Park, just outside the city is a string of lovely lakes with a miniature volcanic crater hidden in a forest of mahogany and olive on the slopes of Mount Meru.
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Haven of peace is the Arab meaning of Dar Es Salaam, with a population of \more than 2 million it is Tanzania's largest city. A perfect tropical port covering 1350 sq km, beautifully situated on the shores of a palm-fringed bay. An intriguing mixture of African and oriental influences, this is a really informal and relaxed African city. The national museum in the botanical gardens has some fine examples of Chinese porcelain, Persian pottery and trade beads used instead of coins in earlier times. The outstanding attraction is the Hall of Man with many of the first finds from Olduvai Gorge including the skull of Australopithecus Boisei and other human fossils. Kariokoo is the main market, a colourful meeting place, with an exotic mixture of tropical fruits, spices and African crafts.
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Bagamoyo was once the most important dhow ports along the in East African coast, and the terminus of the slave caravan route linking Lake Tanganyika with the sea. This was also the starting point for many legendary explorers like, Burton, Speake and Stanley. From 1887 to 1891, Bagamoyo was the capital of German East Africa, and in 1888, it was the site of the first uprising against the colonial government.
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Nyerere Cultural Centre (Nyumba ya Sanaa), Ohio Street, adjacent to Royal Palm Hotel, P.O. Box 8701, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Tel.: +255-22-2137456 Fax: +255-22-2137456, Mobile:+255 (0) 745-872726 and +255 (0) 744-464955, Email info@planetsafaris.com ; planetsafari@linktz.com |
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