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Tanzania

Tanzania borders great lakes (Tanganyika, Nyasa and Victoria) to the west and north; the Indian ocean to the east; and rises out of classic, wildlife-rich African savannah to Africa's highest point, majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,334').

Yet scenic natural wonders are not matched by natural resources, and there is little fertile agricultural land. Hence Tanzania - although relatively stable and peaceful - ranks among the world's 10 poorest countries.                                                          

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Tanzania
Grazing for livestock, Tanzania

Although with much potential for growth, past attempts to kick-start the economy have back-fired disastrously, with ineffective political and economic strategies, and opposition from tribal peoples.                                                                                                                                     

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Tanzania map

Area (size): 364,900 square miles (just under 4 times larger than UK) Capital city: Dodoma (political); Dar-es-Salaam (commercial, & largest city)

Population: 42 million, of whom 99% black African with over 130 Bantu tribes. Arab, Asian & European minorities. Languages: Swahili, English

Religion: Islam, Christianity, indigenous beliefs

Christians in Tanzania

Tanzania maintains religious freedom for a population fairly evenly matched numerically between Muslims, Christians and followers of traditional African beliefs (apart from the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar which is almost totally Muslim).

While Christianity has experienced sporadic growth, churches have a pressing need for strong, trained local leaders and pastors in order to grow, mature and reach out to communities around Tanzania.