Cruising to TanzaniaBackgroundShortly after independence, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities. GeographyLocation: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya
and Mozambique Coastline1,424 km Maritime claimsTerritorial sea: 12 nm ClimateVaries from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands TerrainPlains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south Elevation extremesLowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m EconomyTanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for almost half of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featured the processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-date economic infrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Long-term growth through 2005 featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment. Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomic policies supported real GDP growth of more than 6% in 2005. TransportationAirports: 123 (2005) WaterwaysLake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa principal avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; rivers not navigable (2005) Merchant marineTotal: 10 ships (1000 GRT or over) 25,838 GRT/33,745 DWT Sailing Specifics: Ports and terminalsDar es Salaam, Mtwara, Zanzibar City Other Sailing Destinations in the RegionBahrain - Christmas Islands - Cocos Keeling - Comoros - Djibouti - Eritrea - India - Jordan - Kenya - Kuwait - Madagascar - Maldives - Mauritius - Mayotte - Mozambique - Oman - Pakistan - Qatar - Reunion Island - Saudi Arabia - Seychelles - Somalia - Sri Lanka - Sudan - Tanzania - United Arab Emirates - Yemen Further Reading |
|