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Perhaps, not many people might know it, but Tanzania is one of the most beautiful places in Africa. It is strategically located in Eastern Africa, and is generally mountainous in the northeast, where Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro lies. The great lakes of Lake Victoria, which coincidentally is Africa's largest lake, lie on its north and west. Tanzania is so much blessed with natural physical beauty that many large and ecologically wild parks including the Serengeti National Park, and the Selous Game Reserve are situated here. More than anything else though, one of the factors that make Tanzania one of the most visited parts of Africa, is its rich culture and heritage. It has an estimated population of 40,213,160 as of July 2008. The people of Tanzania contribute to the attraction and mystery that it exudes. While Tanzania is divided into 26 regions, there are surprisingly 120 ethnic groups that compose these 26 regions. From among these 120 ethnic groups, the Sukuma are one of the largest with a population of approximately 3.2 million. Although the Sukuma tribe is located in many different parts of Tanzania, they are predominantly occupying the east and south areas of Lake Victoria. The Sukuma represents 10-13 percent of the country's total population. The second largest ethnic group in Tanzania is the Nyamwezi. These people live in the northwest central area of Tanzania, and are referred to as “people of the moon” according to how their name is translated in the Swahili language. Since the Nyamwezi and the Sukuma groups were all part of the original tribal groups; these two have close cultural ties. The third largest ethnic group in Tanzania is the Chagga which occupies the southern and eastern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. These people are the original agriculturists of Tanzania. They cultivate the fertile soils of the Kilimanjaro and Meru, and produce the world renowned Arabica coffee. Moreover, these people are known for their extensive irrigation and fertilization system. This tribe is one of the first tribes which converted into Christianity. Another important ethnic group in Tanzania is the Hava. They live in the Kagera Region and speak the Swahili-Kihaya language, which is actually a Niger-Congo language in the southwest coast of Lake Victoria. The Hava tribe is estimated to have a population of 1,200,000. The Nyakyusa is another ethnic group which lives in the southern parts of Tanzania. Like the Chagga, these people also live in the fertile mountains in the southern part of Tanzania and are known for their industry and agricultural skills. Some of their most important products include squash, millet, and yams. The other ethnic groups in Tanzania include the Zinza, Zaramo, Zigua, Zanaki, Yao, Vinza, Rungi, Rwa, Rungwa, Sagara, Sandawe, Ngoni, Ngindo, Nyanyembe, Nyaturu, Nyiha, Nyiramba, Rangi, Manda, Matumbi, Machinga, and Makonde.
For more information please visit Wild Things Tanzania Safaris and one of our experienced staff will get back to you. For more information on climbing Kilimanjaro or visiting Tanzanias mountains Climb Kilimanjaro with Mountain Kingdom Safaris.
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