Region: East Africa
Population: 43.7 million (UN, 2008)
Capital: Dodoma
Major languages: Swahili, English, Arabic, and a wide variety of local languages
Major religions: Islam, Christianity, and indigenous beliefs
Terrain: Plains along the coast, a central plateau, and highlands in the north and south
Climate: Varies from tropical along the coast to temperate in the highlands
Background
Tanzania was formed as a nation in 1964 from Tanganyika and the island of Zanzibar. The economy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for more than 40% of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force – although Tanzania’s terrain and climate limits productive land to only 4% of the total.
Tanzania is ranked 204 out of 229 for GDP per capita, and 203 out of 229 for life expectancy at birth – it also has some of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world. Improvements in infrastructure and the growth of the industrial sector – particularly focusing on minerals – have led to economic growth in recent years. With Tanzania’s diverse wildlife and national parks, tourism is integral to its economy. Nonetheless, 36% of the population live below the poverty line.
Potential impacts of climate change
Climate scientists project that as with all sub-Saharan countries, Tanzania is at risk from rising temperatures, more extreme and erratic rainfall resulting in droughts and flooding, and rising sea levels. Water and food security will be affected, with serious consequences for subsistence farmers and pastoralists. These impacts will also exacerbate the spread of some diseases, including malaria.
Other potential impacts include the destruction of coral reefs and marine habitats from sea warming, as well as ecosystems affected by deforestation and changing weather patterns. Both are projected to have serious impacts on the country’s vital tourism trade.
(Sources: CIA World Factbook, WHO, Global Humanitarian Forum Impact Report, UNDP, BBC News Online)
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