Tanzania's location within eastern-central region of the African Continent greatly influences its seasons and climate. It is divided into 26 regions and is almost twice the size of California. It is home to Mount Kilimanjaro Africa's highest mountain in the northeast as well as Lake Victoria Africa's largest lake. It is home to a diversity of wildlife including the white bearded wildebeest and many other species that migrate through the Serengeti Plain. The migration of these great beasts takes play during the Dry season where many animals must migrate in search of water, which is becoming more and more scarce as competition for resources is becoming fiercer. Overall Tanzania is hot throughout the year, humid near the coast and dry in the central region. Between March and June heavy rains can result in floods making travel through unpaved regions very difficult. Hot and dry weather follows beginning in January, which is often the busiest time for tourists. The estimated population of Tanzania is about 38 million people with a growth rate of 3% meaning that there is about 1 person per square kilometer.

Tanzania's economy is greatly dependent on agriculture, which employs 90% of the workforce and accounts for more than 49% of its GDP. This strong economic force is totally dependent on the weather and has suffered greatly in the past few decades due to prolonged drought. The production of hydro-electricity has also suffered causing further setbacks. These economic problems may get even worse because Tanzania is not a fully developed country so loses in hydroelectric production may increase for more harmful energy solutions such as coal and other fossil fuels. One thing is for sure Tanzania's economic future is greatly dependent on its annual precipitation as summers go longer the economy as well as its rich wild life will continue to suffer.

Population consists of more than 120 ethnic groups including the: Sukuma, Nyamwezi, Hehe, Bena, Chagga, Shambala, et cetera. Religious influences include Hindus, Shi's, Sunni, Sikh, Parsis and Goans. The country is governed by a Prime Minister and a National Assembly and has a five level judiciary combining the jurisdictions of tribal Islamic, and British common law. Swahili is the national language, however most schools teach English which has contributed to the decline of indigenous languages.

The climate is mostly tropical although on the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro the temperature drops well below freezing. The rainy season is between November and April supplying the area with water for much of the year. Its location between 1 degree and 12 degrees South means that it receives a lot of direct sunlight which contributes to its bi-seasonal year as well as its hot humid environment. During the rainy season flash floods and thunderstorms are common. The temperature fluctuation between seasons is about 9 degrees F with the average temperature of 81 degrees F. It receives roughly 35 inches of precipitation annually.

Please take some time to take a look around our site, hopefully after reading our essays, you'll have a better idea about how climate change and weather affects Tanzanian society.

Thanks,
Kim Rudolph '08
Brody Saunders '08
Ricky Schwartz '11