Tanzania

People

Tanzania is home to more than 120 ethnic groups, each with its own language or dialect and traditions. Ethnic diversity in Tanzania has been increased by the dynamic interaction between coastal people and traders, missionaries and colonisers from Oman, India, Portugal, Germany and Britain. Islam and Christianity are the two main religions, however tribal beliefs are adhered to in many parts of rural Tanzania.

History

Prior to colonisation, the Tanzanian coast was a wealthy area with thriving international trade and centres of learning. Mainland Tanganyika peacefully achieved independence from Britain in 1961 and the island of Zanzibar gained independence in 1963. One year later, the two joined and formed The United Republic of Tanzania. In general Tanzania is one of the most politically stable countries in East Africa.

Geography

Boasting the highest point in Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895m) and the lowest, Lake Tanganyika (642m below sea level), Tanzania has amazing biodiversity. There are four distinct climatic zones: tropical coastal plains, arid central plateau, humid lake regions and temperate highlands. The country also has one of the highest concentrations of African wildlife.

Economy

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked at 164 out of 177 countries in the 2005 Human Development Index. Tanzania's rising rate of HIV and AIDS pose serious problems for its future economic growth. The World Bank estimates Tanzania's GDP could be 15-20 per cent lower by 2015 because of the AIDS epidemic, compared with a situation without AIDS.

Agriculture

The economy depends heavily on agriculture. It accounts for almost half of GDP, provides 85 per cent of exports, and employs 80 per cent of the work force. Most farmers still use traditional farming methods and land holdings are generally smaller than three hectares. Limited technology, unsustainable farming methods, lack of irrigation, decreasing soil fertility and labour loss from AIDS-related illness and death contribute to reduced productivity.

Education

Free primary education lasts for seven years, between the ages of 7 and 13 years. However, many children enrol in standard one well after their seventh birthday, especially in rural areas. A growing shortage of teachers, partially caused by deaths from AIDS, means class sizes are typically well above the Ministry of Education's target of one teacher per 45 students. Classrooms, desks and books are also in short supply. Although almost two thirds of Tanzanian households are within two kilometres of a primary school, in rural areas a quarter are 20 kilometres or more from a secondary school. Travel distances, school expenses and poor academic results mean that many children leave school and go to work after the national examination in standard seven.

Health

There are six levels of healthcare in Tanzania, from village health posts through to district, regional and referral hospitals. Even in rural areas, more than 90 per cent of people live within 10 kilometres of a basic clinic. While access is not such a problem, waiting times, lack of medicine and high costs are. Approximately one in eight Tanzanian children die before their fifth birthday. Inadequate immunisation, poor nutrition and unsafe drinking water make children vulnerable to diseases such as measles, dysentery, cholera and tuberculosis. Malaria remains one of the nation's biggest killers, however HIV has spread rapidly, leaving a trail of people widowed and children orphaned by AIDS. Among the poor, who cannot afford extra healthcare or absorb income losses, the effects of the disease are even greater.

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