Region: Eastern Africa

Capital: Dodoma (legislative)

Population: 40,213,162 (July 2008 est.)

Surface area: 945,087 sq km

Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS)

GDP per capita: Purchasing power parity US $1,300 (2007 est.)

Background:

Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities.
Economy – Overview:

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. 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. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featured the processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods. The World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-date economic infrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Long-term growth through 2005 featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals led by gold. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment. Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomic policies supported real GDP growth of nearly 7% in 2007.
Major Export Commodities: gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton

Remittances: Not available

Human Development Index 2007/2008 ranking: 159 out of 177

Official Development Assistance and Major Development Partners: Net ODA in 2006 was US $991.71 million. Major development partners include the IDA, the Afican Development Fund, the United Kingdom, and the European Community.

Total External Debt: US $4.379 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

United Nations membership date: 14 December 1961

New York Mission:

Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations,
201 East 42nd Street, Suite 1700, New York, N.Y. 10017
Telephone: 212-972-9160
Fax: 212-682-5232

Sources:

CIA World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. www.cia.gov 

World Development Indicators. World Bank www.worldbank.org

Development, Recipient Aid Charts. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. www.oecd.org

Human Development Report 2007/2008.United Nations Development Programme. www.undp.org

Updated June 2008