1. Housing the Tallest Mountain in Africa
Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, is located in Tanzania. This striking feature of the country's northern landscape reaches a remarkable 19,341 feet above sea level. This prominent inactive volcano is a popular choice for climbers around the world.
2. Home to Africa's Deepest Lake
Tanzania also boasts Lake Tanganyika, the deepest lake in Africa, reaching depths of around 1,470 meters. From adventure seekers to ordinary tourists, this scenic wonder proves to be an attractive spot offering engaging activities such as fishing, wildlife spotting, and local cultural experiences.
3. Spieleological Marvels within Reach
The Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania shelters one of the largest and most significant limestone cave systems in Africa, incorporating the Mumbwa Caves. These magnificent creations by nature serve as an intriguing part of Tanzania’s landscape.
4. A Nation of Many Languages
More than 120 languages are spoken across Tanzania, making it a nation of rich linguistic diversity. The official languages are Swahili and English, but a number of indigenous tongues are also spoken among different communities within the country.
5. The World’s Shortest War
Tanzania holds a unique spot in world history, with Zanzibar having hosted the shortest war on record. In 1896, the confrontations between the British and Sultanate of Zanzibar lasted a mere 38-45 minutes, resulting in a British victory.
6. Land of Precious Gemstones
Tanzania is known for its abundance of gemstones, including tanzanite, a deep-blue gem that is only found in this country. The Merelani Hills, near Arusha, are the only place in the world where these precious stones can be mined.
7. A Cradle of Mankind
Some of the earliest-known human skulls have been found in the Olduvai Gorge located in northern Tanzania. These fossils, dating back nearly 2 million years, have provided insightful details about our own human origins.
8. Unusual Rainfall Patterns
Unlike many other parts of the world, Zanzibar island in Tanzania experiences two periods of rainfall in a year. The Masika rains generally last from March to May, while the shorter and lighter Mvuli rains occur from October to December.
9. Wildlife Galore
Tanzania is home to the largest concentration of wildlife animals per square kilometer, with over 4 million wild animals and representatives of 430 different species and subspecies.
10. The Nation's Flag Tells a Story
Tanzania's flag is an amalgamation of the national flags of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, signifying their union. Consisting of four colors - green representing natural resources, black for the Swahili-speaking people, blue for the Indian Ocean, and golden-yellow diagonals signifying the mineral wealth.
11. Longest Freshwater Lake
Lake Victoria situated in Tanzania is the world's second-largest freshwater lake by surface area. It's also Africa's largest lake and spans three countries - Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.
12. Enormous Elephant Gatherings
The Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania holds the highest concentration of elephants out of all the African countries. It's regularly possible to witness gatherings of up to fifty elephants in the Reserve.
13. The Great Migration
Each year, Tanzania's Serengeti National Park sees over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra and several species of antelope making an annual circular trek to find fresh grazing and water. This breathtaking spectacle is aptly named the Great Migration.
14. The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Line
Co-constructed by Tanzania and Zambia between 1970 and 1975, the TAZARA Railway is a remarkable symbol of African unity and independence. It was mainly financed and supported by China to diminish Western influence in the region.
15. An Important Spice Island
Zanzibar, a group of islands off the coast of Tanzania, is one of the world's leading producers of cloves. The Spice Island, as it’s fondly called, also produces nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper.
16. Unique African Trees
Tanzania is well-known for the Baobab tree, a distinct species native to the African continent. These trees, also known as the 'Tree of Life', can live for thousands of years, and store up to 32,000 gallons of water in their trunks.
17. Famous Hollywood Film Locations
Several films such as the Lion King and The Serengeti Rules were inspired by Tanzania's diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes. Additionally, the movie 'Out of Africa' was partially filmed in this country.
18. Food Fusion
Tanzanian cuisine is a fusion of traditional African, Indian, Arab and European influences. A favorite national dish is Ugali, a type of cornmeal porridge. Tanzanians frequently pair it with a variety of meats, fish, and vegetables.
19. A Habitual Greeting
In Tanzania, it is customary to greet older or more respected members with the phrase "Shikamoo," which literally translates to "I touch your feet." In response, they say "Marahaba," meaning "I am delighted."
20. A Tanzanian Superstition
There's a belief prevalent in Tanzanian culture that owning albino body parts can bring good fortune. This superstition unfortunately results in the persecution and even murder of albino individuals, leading to a human rights crisis in the nation.