• Dar-es-Salaam (commercial capital, population 1,651,900).
• Dodoma (capital designate 1,052,000).
• Mwanza (2,280,000).
• Tanga (1,590,000).
• Zanzibar Town(254,600),
• Zanzibar North & Central (118,000)

• Zanzibar South & West (254,000)
• Mbeya (1,790,800).
• Arusha (1,640,700).
• Pemba north(167,000)
• Pemba South(155,000) [figures from 1995 census].

There are 27 regions (Mikoa); 1. Arusha, 2. Dar-es-Salaam, 3. Dodoma, 4. Iringa, 5. Kagera, 6. Kigoma, 7. Kilimanjaro, 8. Lindi, 9. Mafia, 10. Mara, 11. Mbeya, 12. Morogoro, 13. Mtwara, 14. Mwanza, 15. Pemba North, 16. Pemba South, 17. Pwani, 18. Rukwa, 19. Ruvuma, 20. Shinyanga, 21. Singida, 22. Tabora, 23. Tanga, 24. Zanzibar Central\Sotuh, 25. Zanzibar North, 26. Zanzibar Urban\West & 27. Ziwa Magharibi.

Most of the people are of Bantu origin representing 95%, with some 120 tribes on the mainland, none of which exceeds 10% of the population, others are of Asian, Arab and Afro-Arab and European. The biggest African group is the Sukuma: others include Masai, Haya, Gogo, Nyamwezi. Chagga. There are people of mix blood in the coastal area known as Swahilis as well as Asian, Arabs and expatriate minorities.

Traditional beliefs (30%) Islam (35%) and Christianity (35%) est.

The official language is Kiswahili, which is universally spoken, in addition to various local languages, and is the medium of instruction in all primary schools. English is second official language, the country’s commercial language and also the main

teaching language for all scientific subjects in secondary schools and higher education institutions, Arabic (widely spoken in coastal areas, particularly Zanzibar).

For safaris in the north, during the day, light clothing and hats. Sturdy shoes are recommended. At night, casual wear with a light cardigan or a pull over (for altitudes between 1500m in Arusha and 2400m in Ngorongoro). On the coast, summer wear. For Kilimanjaro or other treks, check with a mountain specialist before departure. To bring: sunscreen, lotions, sunglasses, mosquito cream and binoculars.

On safari, avoid brightly coloured clothes, they may alarm the animals, browns, beiges and khaki are preferred. Short-sleeved shirt/blouses and shorts are ideal, but pack a sweater, it can be chilly in the early morning and in the evening. Don't forget a swimsuit. Immodest clothing will offend local tradition.

The basic unit is the Tanzanian shilling. It is advisable to carry American dollars. Moneys changers also accept the major convertible currencies. Travellers cheques are exchangeable in some places. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels but it is advisable to carry cash.

Visitors can take in any amount of foreign currency and no currency declaration is required. But import and export of Tanzanian currency is illegal. Foreign currency in cash or travellers' cheques may be exchanged at any branch of the commercial banks or through authorised dealers and at Bureaux de Change ("forex bureaux"), at the international airports, major towns, and border posts.

Personal effects, including binoculars, cameras and film, may be brought in free of duty. A custom's bond may be demanded from those bringing in video/filming equipment, radios, tape recorders and musical instruments to ensure the goods are re-exported. Firearms require a special permit.

Duty free allowances are 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 gram of tobacco plus one litre of spirits, provided the traveller is over 16. Visitors buying local handcraft must keep sales receipts for presentation to customs officials on departure.

230 volts AC, 50hz: round or square 3-pin plugs, fused or unfused.

GMT + 3 hours.

• Zanzibar Revolutionary Day – 12 January
• Easter – 10 - 13 April
• Union Day – National Day – 26 April
• International Labour Day – 1 May
• Industrial Day – 7 July
• Farmers' Day – 8 August
• Independence Day and Republic Day – 9 December
• Christmas Day – 25 December

• Boxing Day – 26 December
• New Years Day – 1 January
• End of Ramadan – 2 days
• Eid El-Hajj – 1 day
• Maulidi Day – 1 day – Prophet Muhammad's birthday

[The dates of Muslim festivals are determined according to local sighting of the phases of the moon and may vary]

0800-1200hr and 1400-1630hr Monday to Friday

0800-1230hr some private businesses Saturdays.