Are you interested in a move to Tanzania? You should educate yourself about a few important details before finalizing your decision. Go through the article to know the details.
Table of Contents
Geography and Location
Tanzania is one of the most beautiful, vibrant and culturally rich countries in Africa. The county is located in eastern Africa on the Indian Ocean. Tanzania shares its longest borders with Mozambique and Kenya in the southeast and northeast respectively.
Tanzania comprises three geographical regions – the highlands in the northeast, a saucer-shaped plateau in the centre and the coastal plains and islands in the east. Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, is located in the north-eastern highland. Great Rift Valley, another mention-worthy geographical feature, cuts through the middle of Tanzania.
Climate
The climate in Tanzania is interestingly diverse. You will experience a tropical climate in the coastal areas, whereas a temperate climate rules the highlands. The temperature in plateau regions and coaster plains hovers around 25-31°C during November-February (considered hottest months) and 15-20°C during May-August (coldest months).
The northern region of Tanzania has two rainy seasons per year, whereas monsoon hits the western, central, southern and south-western regions twice.
Demographics and Culture
Tanzania is a small country with a population of about 55.5 million. Since the country attained independence, its population has exploded fivefold in the last five decades. The country’s 30% population is mostly concentrated in Zanzibar City, Dar es Salaam and metro regions. Most people, nearly 70% of the population, still live in rural areas.
Tanzania has a thriving, diverse culture. Around 99% of the country’s population identify themselves as ethnic Africans, an umbrella term that covers more than 120 different tribes with Bantu being the preponderant majority. In Zanzibar, the people are descendants of African, Arab and a mixed race (Africa and Arab).
On the line of religiosity, people on the mainland are evenly divided across Christianity (mostly Roman Catholicism), Islam and indigenous belief. In Zanzibar, 99% of its population practice Islam.
People in Tanzania are heavily influenced by a mix of African, Arab, Indian and European culture.
Language
The country is also rich and diverse linguistically. Both English and Kiswahili (Swahili) are official languages. Kiswahili serves as the lingua franca of eastern and central Tanzania and has got the status of a unifying language.
People speak one of 158 local lingos as their mother tongue. People in Zanzibar, a Muslim-dominated region, speak Arabic. English is mostly used in Government administration, higher education and business dealing and transaction.
Whether you choose an online language tutor or in-person language trainers, the journey to mastering English or Kiswahili opens doors to broader opportunities. Online language tutors provide the flexibility of learning from anywhere, while in-person trainers offer a personalized touch. Both methods cater to diverse learning preferences. This linguistic versatility not only enhances career prospects in government, education, and business but also fosters a sense of community by breaking language barriers. Embracing this linguistic diversity ensures a harmonious coexistence and a thriving, interconnected society in Tanzania.
Medical Facilities
People visiting Tanzania for the first time have a higher risk of catching a severe infection, which may be caused by hepatitis A, yellow fever, typhoid fever, dengue fever, rabies or malaria. About 7% of the population have HIV/AIDS disease, which is pretty high.
Compared to Western countries, medical facilities are substandard in Tanzania. Talk to your doctor and take the necessary medical precautions.
An up-to-date routine vaccination will safeguard you against several diseases. Vaccination against typhoid fever and Hepatitis is a must. You should also consider getting vaccinated against Hepatitis B, rabies and yellow fever. Seek advice from your physician regarding the best anti-malarial medication and if you should start taking it before moving to Tanzania.
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After you shift to Tanzania permanently, don’t drink tap water to avoid waterborne diseases. Tap water is full of parasites and bacteria. Expats usually have a modern-day water filtration system installed in their homes. Anopheles, a type of mosquito carrying malaria virus, is another big problem. Sleep under a mosquito net and adopt other precautionary measures to minimize the risk of getting malaria. In Tanzania, Malaria infection reaches the peak during May through July.
