Tanzania: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Tanzania

Tanzania is in East Africa on the Indian Ocean, and it includes the islands of Zanzibar. It has Africa's highest mountain and huge savannas full of wildlife. Three of Africa's great lakes touch its borders.

About Dodoma

Dodoma is on a high plateau in the centre of Tanzania. It was chosen in 1973 to be the new capital because of its central location, and it is home to the national parliament.

Fun facts about Tanzania

1. Mount Kilimanjaro, about 5,895 metres tall, is the highest mountain in Africa.
2. Kilimanjaro is often called the world's tallest free-standing mountain, because it rises alone rather than in a range.
3. Every year, more than a million wildebeest, along with many zebras, migrate across the Serengeti plains.
4. Lake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa and the longest freshwater lake in the world.
5. Tanzanite, a blue-violet gemstone, has been found in only one small area of northern Tanzania.
6. The name Tanzania combines Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which joined together in 1964.