Tanzania

Tanzania


Tanzanians usually live with their extended families in huts that are clustered together. A spirit of cooperation prevails as family members share work and resources.The majority of Tanzania’s population lives in rural areas. Many Tanzanians are small-scale farmers growing only enough food to feed their families.Unemployment is high—approximately 16 percent overall—and more than half of all households live in poverty. The poor spend three-quarters of their income on food, but their diets are of low nutritional value. One-fourth of all households are headed by women, but lack of education is a problem for the female population. Most girls of primary school age do not attend school, contributing to high illiteracy rates among Tanzanian women.Some Tanzanians want to have as many children as possible because they are highly valued. A large family means more hands to help on the farm and ensures that parents will be taken care of in their old age.In some communities, traditional male attire looks like women’s clothing. Thus, it can be difficult to distinguish between a boy and a girl when looking at a child’s photograph.What is it like to live there?Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa, is comprised of the mainland and the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar. Tanzania has dramatic natural features and interesting wildlife, but its people face many challenges, including poverty and malnutrition.

Country Statistics
Population
38.3 million
Land Mass
342,100 sq. miles
Life Expectancy
46 years
Infant Mortality Rate
76 / 1,000
Literacy Rate
69%
School Enrollment
73%
Access to Safe Water
62%
Average Annual Income (GNI per capita)
US$340

Lakes and rivers provide Tanzania with an abundance of inland water. At the north central boundary lies Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. Lake Tanganyika, Africa’s deepest and longest freshwater lake, extends along the northwest border. Tanzania also is home to Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895 meters.Variations in altitude lead to great diversity in climate. The coastline is hot and humid. The central plateaus are warm and dry. The base of the mountains are lined with thick forests.Farming activities, in combination with animal breeding, forestry, fishing, and hunting, make up the primary sector of the economy. Unfortunately, much of the land is not fit for cultivation due to perennial drought. Giraffes, zebras, monkeys, lions, and elephants are among the more than 400 species of animals living in Tanzania. The Serengeti Wildlife Reserve, located in the northwest part of the country, is one of the best-known reserves in the world.