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Most of the known history of Tanganyika (the mainland) concerns the coastal area, although the interior has a number of important prehistoric sites, including the Olduvai Gorge. Trading contacts between Arabia and the East African coast existed by the 1st century AD, and there are indications of connections with India.

Recorded history starts around 1800, when the Masai warrior tribes moved from Kenya to Tanzania. While the country's coastal area had long witnessed sea fights between Portuguese and Arabic traders, it wasn't until the middle of the 18th century that Arab traders and slaves dared venture into Masai territory in the country's interior. European settlement started after the arrival of Dr. Livingstone in the mid-19th century.

As the 20th century emerged, Germany took over Tanganyika by building railway lines. After losing World War 1, the British who were already ruling Zanzibar, took the territory over.

Nationalist movements sprang up after WWII but it wasn't until Julius Nyerere founded the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) in 1954 that they became effective. Tanganyika won independence in 1961 with Nyerere as the country's first president. The British ruled Zanzibar for another two years, after which the mainland created a union including Zanzibar and the island of Pemba, resulting in the Tanzania of today.

Due to the country's basic lack of resources, in the early 1960’s Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda formed an economic deal whereby they shared one Airline Company, telecommunication facilities, transportation and customs. Movement across the borders became free and easy. Various political differences saw the collapse of this union in 1977 and Tanzanians were worse off than ever.

Tanzania remains a country with many problems and is still one of the world's poorest countries. Even the incorporation of Zanzibar, once one of Africa's richest countries, has only created new problems. The mainland has had to cope with a flood of Rwandan refugees fleeing fighting in their homeland. In 1996 the Mkapa government - under President Benjamin Mkapa - issued a report supported by the United Nations stating that Rwandan refugees were to leave Tanzania. Accompanied by reports of unwarranted force and rape, thousands still remain in Tanzania.

In August 1998, terrorists bombed the US embassies in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, killing over 250 people and injuring more than 5000.

During the October 2000 elections, Mkapa was re-elected as president.

Travel to Tanzania Region
Arusha region, Kilimanjaro Region, Serengeti Plains, Zanzibar

Tours covering Tanzania - Show all safaris & tours covering Tanzania »»
	Spice Island Romance, Zanzibar (ZAN-ZANA) From per person per night	White coral beaches, balmy sunsets, intimate seclusion and tropical passion: this is the sublime setting of your luxury Island Lodge. A gorgeous, reef-encircled camp, a near perfect climate and calm warm seas make this a most relaxing and romantic trip. *Tour Duration:* 5 days

	21 Day Southern Discoverer (North ) From $1076 per person per night	This is definitely an overland expedition geared towards fun lovers! This trip starts in Victoria Falls and travels north through Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and finishes in Nairobi, Kenya. *Tour Duration:* 21 days

	21 Day Southern Discoverer (South) From $1076 per person per night	This is definitely an overland expedition geared towards fun lovers! This trip starts in Nairobi and travels south through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and finishes in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. *Tour Duration:* 21 days

	Show all safaris & tours covering Tanzania »»

Tanzania - Tourist Information
Statistics Statistics Population: 37.4 million Area: 945 087 sq. kms. GDP per capita: US$ 700 Languages: Kiswahili (Swahili), English		General Most of the known history of Tanganyika (the mainland) concerns the coastal area, although the interior has a number of important prehistoric sites, including the Olduvai Gorge. Trading contacts... More »»

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Tanzania Travel

General

Tours covering Tanzania

Tanzania - Tourist Information