Tanzania

Tanzania gained independence from the UK in 1961 and joined Zanzibar in 1964 to become Tanzania. The capital is Dar es Salam.
 
Tanzania is the 13th largest country in Africa (out of 54. Sudan is the biggest).
 
The population was 40 million at July 2008 against 15.9 million in 1975. Health improvements have cut the infant mortality rate and increased life expectancy over the past 30 years. Improved water supplies have greatly improved the health of the country.
 
Tanzania currently hosts more refugees than any other African country. They number around half a million and come mainly from Burundi and Republic of Congo.
 
130 plus Bantu tribes make up almost the entire population. Asians, Europeans and Arabs make up just 1% of the population.
 
On mainland Tanzania 45% are Christians, 35% Muslims and 20% adhere to local religious systems. 99% of the population of Zanzibar are Muslim.
 
The official languages are Swahili and English.
 
AIDS is a major problem with an estimated 6.5% of the population being infected. In hotspots like Arusha, the figure is probably much higher.
 
There have been free elections in Tanzania since 1995.
 
GDP per capita last year was US$1100 ranking it 197 out of 225 in the world. (Gaza is bottom with US$110 pa.)  The currency is Tanzanian shillings -  c. 2100 to £1. Steady upward trend in GDP per capita is probably being held back by population growth.
 
Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa - 5,895m (19,340 ft), Mount Meru is 4566m (14,980 ft).