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Tanzania

A - Z of topics…

Children's stories

Filming workshops

SOS Children's Villages have been running filming workshops to show children how to make their own films. This country has yet to be visited, but take a look at some videos made by children in nearby countries.

Agriculture & Famine

A quarter of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is undernourished and famines can impact whole regions.

Land is available to grow more food locally, but investment is needed in technologies such as irrigation for land to be used effectively. Farmers must also adapt to climate change if they are to feed the continent's rising population.

Health

Africa has a high number of communicable diseases, which place a huge burden on healthcare systems. The vast majority of malaria cases and HIV/AIDS-related deaths occur in Africa; these two diseases currently represent the greatest threats.

With low investment in healthcare and a severe shortage of medical staff, many countries struggle to meet the health needs of their people.

Climate

Africa is a massive continent, with a range of climates. Some regions are hot and dry, like the Sahara, Kalahari and Namib deserts. Other parts are wet or covered in tropical rainforest. Conditions also vary by altitude, from the dry salt pans of the Danakil Depression (one of the lowest points on earth) to the snowcaps (at certain times) of the highest mountains. Weather-wise, Africa has it all!

Children

Around one in six children born in sub-Saharan Africa don't live to see their fifth birthday and life can be tough for those who do.

What are the common challenges facing African children and how do their lives compare with those of children in the UK?

Women

A woman’s status varies by country and region across Africa. In many parts, women struggle against inequality in laws, education, pay and domestic responsibilities.

Women’s health is also at risk from traditional practices such as early marriage. But with better education, girls can make more informed choices, leading to the greater development of African nations.

History & Politics

Trading nation

Tanzania’s coastal cities built up great wealth from trading with other nations across the world and the current government hopes to grow the country’s trade once again.

Tanzania map

Explore Tanzania

Explore some interesting places in Tanzania, including the capital and four of the country’s 40 national parks and game reserves.

Nationhood

Founding father

Julius Nyerere was president of Tanzania for over twenty years and is viewed by most as the father of the nation.

People & Culture

A harmonious nation

Tanzania’s people live in relative harmony, with little tension caused by ethnic or religious differences.

Poverty & Healthcare

Low life expectancy

High levels of poverty and malnutrition, coupled with the threat of many diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, mean that Tanzanians only live to 55 on average.

Games & Sport

Africa is home to arguably the oldest-recorded games and sports. While some are only known through archaeology, modern-day games and sports such as Mancala/Mankala and Nubian wrestling are very much alive today.

Of course, new sports have come along to claim the attention of Africans. You may have heard of one - it's called football.

Refugees

A safe haven

Though Tanzania is a poor country, it has long been peaceful and stable, providing a refuge to many people fleeing war and conflict.

History

The first humans are thought to have lived in Africa and powerful African empires formed from the medieval age onwards.

However, today's African nations were shaped by the European powers who colonised this vast continent. Having gained their independence, many African countries are still coming to terms with the legacy left by their colonisers.

Great Rift

A geological marvel

The Great Rift Valley is a long depression in the earth which runs down the eastern side of Africa, creating unique landscapes and habitats for wildlife.

Tanzanite

The blue gem

Tanzanite was first discovered in Tanzania in the 1960s and this blue gemstone has become an important earner for the country.

Climate & Agriculture

Tropical

Tanzania has a tropical climate all year round, though there are some differences between regions and crops vary according to the amount of annual rainfall.

Poverty

Across the rest of the world, absolute poverty has halved over recent decades, but in Africa it has barely fallen.

About two-fifths of the population of sub-Saharan Africa survive week by week on what someone in the UK earns from just one hour's work on the minimum wage.

Geography & Wildlife

With its varied geography and diverse habits, the African continent is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. Though famous for its 'big game' animals, Africa has huge numbers of fish, mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and insect species, as well as many tree, plant and flower species.

Tourism & Communications

Eco-friendly

With over a third of the country set aside for conservation, it’s little wonder Tanzania’s tourism industry is dominated by safaris and nature tours.

Economy & Industry

A growing economy

Tanzania’s economy has been growing steadily over the last decade, mainly due to the country’s exports of gold, though tourism and agriculture are also important sectors.

Development

‘People are the real wealth of a nation.’ This is the belief of the United Nations, whose Millenium Development Goals provide a framework for improving the lives of millions.

It helps when nations are peaceful, stable and growing economically. But where even the poorest countries focus on health, education and creating fairer societies, more Africans have the chance of a better life.

Welcome to Tanzania

To find out more about Tanzania, click on the tiles which cover a range of topics about this east African nation.

We haven't had chance to conduct a children's filming workshop here, so there aren't any videos. But there's lots of information for learning more about this fascinating country.

Education & Jobs

Schooling years

Since primary schooling is free and universal, almost all younger children are enrolled in school. But the rate of attendance drops dramatically at secondary level.

Chimpanzees

Our nearest relative

The Common Chimpanzee is our closest living relative and the most numerous of the great apes, but the animal’s survival is still threatened.

Evolution

Early man

Eastern Africa has been colonised by humans and their ancestors for millions of years and much of the evidence for the evolution of early man has been found in countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania.

Facts & Figures

A young and rural population

Half of Tanzania’s 44.8 million people are under the age of eighteen. Most youngsters grow up in rural locations, with only around a quarter living in towns and cities.

Food & Daily life

Rural living

Though large cities such as Dar es Salaam are growing fast, nearly three-quarters of Tanzania’s population still live in rural areas.

Foods

Africa has some of the most distinctive cuisines and flavours in the world. Food varies widely, but there are commonalities across regions. Depending on what's grown locally, dishes are also influenced by the traders, immigrants and rulers who settled across the continent. Arab, Asian and European elements blend in with traditional African cooking.

Geography & Wildlife

Wildlife wealth

With its varied topography and habitats, Tanzania is one of the most naturally diverse countries in the world and its rich wildlife can be enjoyed in over 40 national parks and reserves.