TANZANIA FACTS FOR KIDS
Tanzania is an East African country known for its vast wilderness areas. The name "Tanzania" was created as a clipped compound of the names of the two states that unified to create the country: Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
TANZANIA QUICK FACTS
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Official name: United Republic of Tanzania |
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Capital: Dodoma |
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Official Language: Swahili |
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Currency: Tanzanian Shilling |
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Continent: Africa |
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Population: 59.73 million |
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Major rivers: Pangani, Nile |
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Major Cities: Dar es salaam, Mwanza, Tanga |
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Major Mountains: Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Usambara, Mount Uluguru |
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National Sport: Soccer |
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National Bird: The Grey-Crowned Crane |
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National Tree: The African Blackwood |
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National Animal: Giraffe |
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National Flower: Syzygium Aromaticum Evergreen |
TANZANIA GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Tanzania comprises many national parks, lakes, and Africa's highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro. Northeast Tanzania is mountainous, while the central area is part of a large plateau covered in grasslands. Nearly 30 Percent of Tanzania is National Parks. It includes the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia.
The tropical coast stays quite hot and humid with heavy and reliable rainfall, especially during the rainy season. The central plateau is cooler and arid. Tanzania has a generally comfortable climate year-round, although there are significant regional variations.
TANZANIA PEOPLE, CULTURE, AND FOOD
Over 120 ethnic communities are present in Tanzania and around 95% of them are of Bantu origin. The largest group is the Sukuma, which makes up around 15.5% of the population. Other major groups include Gogo (4.1%), Haya (3.7%), Tumbuka (3.1%), the Nyamwezi (2.8 %). Around 1% of the population is Indian, European, and Arab.
Tanzania is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. From the tall graceful Maasai warriors, the ancient ways of the Hadza bushmen, the resourceful agricultural practices of the Wameru, and the artistic talents of the Makonde to the Chaga farmers and traders.
Ugali is considered Tanzania's national dish. Ugali is a must-eat for anyone wanting to explore the culture. It is a stiff dough prepared with cornmeal, cassava flour, sorghum, or millet. Serve this dish with fish, meat, cooked vegetables or bean sauce. The nine main food crops grown in Tanzania are maize, sorghum, millet, rice, wheat, beans, cassava, potatoes, and bananas.
TANZANIA FLAG
The flag of Tanzania consists of a yellow-edged black diagonal band, divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner, with a green upper triangle and light blue lower triangle. Green symbolizes the rich agricultural resources/the land/vegetation. Black represents the people, Yellow represents the mineral wealth of the country and Blue symbolizes the Indian Ocean as well as the country’s rivers and lakes.
TANZANIA FLORA AND FAUNA
There are over 9,000 species of higher plants in Tanzania, many of which are so-called endemic species, meaning that they are only found in Tanzania. Sausage Trees, Fig Trees, Wild Date palms, Commiphora, Yellow Fever Trees, Umbrella trees, Whistling thorns, and Red Oat Grass are indigenous plants.
Baobab is one of the most common trees during the safari. This tree is native to the African continent and is also found in Tanzania Savannah. It is a succulent, which means that during the rainy season it absorbs and stores water in its vast trunk, enabling it to produce a nutrient-dense fruit in the dry season. It is also called “The Tree of Life”.
There are more than four million wild animals in Tanzania representing 430 different species and subspecies. The country houses some 20% of Africa's large mammal population. Zebras, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest, buffaloes, hippos, antelopes, and gazelles are common animals.
Larger predatory animals like lions, cheetahs, and leopards are also found. Along with the familiar African mammals are approximately 60,000 insect species, 25 types of reptiles and amphibians, around 100 species of snakes, and many fish species. Birds are widely represented in Tanzania with around one thousand species including kingfishers, hornbills, and flamingos.
TANZANIA POPULAR SPORT
The most popular sports in Tanzania are soccer and boxing. Locally, soccer is known as "football", or "mpira" in Swahili, with matches, played at various pitches around the country Tanzania has also produced several world-class runners.
TANZANIA LANDMARKS
Serengeti National Park: In a nutshell, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is famous for being the location of the Great Wildlife Migration, which sees two million wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes stretched across its plains. You'll also come across more than 500 species of birds, including ostriches and flamingos. The park is extremely big and also a World Heritage Site. The park was established in 1952.
Makonde Carvings: The Makonde are, of course, famous for the wood carvings which bear their name. Makonde carving has developed into a full-fledged industry and can be found at most souvenir shops throughout Tanzania. Authentic Makonde carvings are made from ebony wood. Pieces made today are often carved from coconut wood, instead of expensive ebony, and some sculptors produce additional pieces in stone or coral.
You can also buy the world country flags flashcards on our website. These flashcards are compact in size and can be carried as a travel companion. The world flags flashcards are a great way to build kids general knowledge
