The Facts

Until about two or three years ago, I did not know anything about Tanzania.  You could have told me it was a newly discovered species of monkey and I would have probably believed you (I guess that speaks of my gullibility and my sense of geography--both of which need sharpening up!).  I realized it was a country in Africa when I started looking at study abroad programs.  I really wanted to travel to Cape Town, South Africa for a year of studying and adventure.  I never did go.  At that time, I was scared to leave.  I was scared to leave my then boyfriend, my family, my animals, and my government.  I let my fear of the unknown rule my decision, and have regretted not going since then.  When my classmate (and travel buddy for this particular adventure) told me that she was going to Tanzania to volunteer, I became really excited for her.  She inspired me to look for a program too.  I thought, "This is my chance!"  I will be graduating this May, I am not in a serious relationship, am not yet employed at a hospital, and will have a prairie full of animals to look at (if not to touch and play with).  I looked at programs in Vietnam, Tanzania, China, Peru, Uganda, Nepal, and Thailand.  Tanzania was the most appealing.  I will be living near Arusha, which is by Mount Kilimanjaro (which I plan to climb...but maybe not to the top).  I will be living with a family in their home, eating their meals, and learning, no, living their culture.  While doing research on the country, I found a lot of interesting facts, all of which weighed significantly on my decision to go there rather than anywhere else. 

• Tanzania's full name is: United Republic of Tanzania
• Unlike some countries in Africa, Tanzania's potential wealth does not contrast with their actual poverty.  Tanzania has few exportable materials and poor agriculture.
• Dodoma is the official capital, and Dar es Salaam is the commercial capital.
• Major languages are English and Swahili. (Lion King as taught me at least three words in Swahili.  Rafiki (friend) is my favorite. Hakuna matata is pretty cool too. 
• The most prevalent religions in Tanzania are Islam and Christianity.  
• Life expectancy is only 57 years for men, 59 years for women.
• 1 USD = 1513.50 Tanzanian shillings.
• GDP per capita is only $1,500 (2010 estimate). 
• 32 % of the population lives below the poverty line (2002 estimate). Many families live on less than 1 USD a day.
• Major exports include: coffee, cotton, gold, and cashew nuts.
• Airports with paved runways: 9.  Airports with unpaved runways: 115
• Tanzania hosts more than a half-million refugees, more that any other African country, mainly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
• Only 50% of Tanzanian children attend primary schools, and just 4% attend secondary schools. 
• Tanzania has a very low crime rate. 
• Topical weather prevails over most of Tanzania.  The coastal area is hot and humid.   The hottest months are from October to February.  Cool weather prevails from May to September.  The long rains are from March until May and the short rains are from October to November. 
• Tanzania is bordered by three of the world's largest lakes including Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Nyasa. 
• Jane Goodall did the majority of her research on chimpanzees in Tanzania.

These are just a few of the fun facts I found about Tanzania.  I love reading about the amazingly diverse country and encourage all my readers to do so also!  If you find any interesting facts, please post them in my comments below. Kwa heri!