Countries Of The World: Tanzania

By National Geographic Kids, adapted by Newsela staff on 12.22.17

Image 1: Tanzania is filled with lakes, mountains and wetlands. Wetlands are areas of land that are filled with water. Lots of water-
loving animals love to hang out in these areas, like elephants, crocodiles, hippopotamuses and even flamingoes. Photo from: Getty
Images/Christophe Paquignon.

Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa. It includes the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and
Mafia. The country is about twice the size of California. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean and
eight countries.

Tanzania is the home of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the highest point in Africa. The mountain was
once a volcano, but it no longer erupts. Mount Kilimanjaro is surrounded by Lake
Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa. These are three of the largest lakes in Africa.

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Most of the land was once savanna and bush. Today, much of it is similar to a desert. There is a
lot of wildlife in Tanzania. The largest group of elephants in the world are in the country's Selous
Game Reserve. Elephants are still being killed for their ivory tusks.

Some of the most famous African animals live in Tanzania. These include the zebra, giraffe,
elephant, rhino and lion. They are in danger of dying out because of illegal hunting. Crocodiles
and hippopotamuses can be found along rivers and lakes. Giant turtles live off the coast.

The Gombe Stream National Park is home to many chimpanzees. Scientist Jane Goodall studied
the chimpanzees there. Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s most popular park. It is home to
more than 1.7 million wildebeest, and about a million other animals.

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Many Tanzanians live off what they can grow on the land. Tanzania’s early people were hunters
and gatherers. Traders moved to the country in about A.D. 800. The native people married the
newcomers from India, Arabia and Persia. Their language, Swahili, spread to other parts of East
Africa.

There are about 120 different tribes in Tanzania. Some still practice arranged marriage. That
means the parents decide who their children will marry once they get older.

Tanzania has a lot of mosquitos. Mosquitos can carry a disease called malaria. Doctors know
how to prevent people from getting malaria and treat people after they get sick. However, people
in Tanzania do not always have access to a doctor or health clinic.

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The president is the head of the country and chief of the armed services. General elections are
held every five years. Zanzibar also has its own president and lawmakers even though it is part of
Tanzania. Zanzibar is wealthier than the rest of the country.

History

Tanzania was formed when two countries, Tanganyika and Zanzibar, came together. Tanganyika
became an independent country in 1961. Zanzibar became an independent country in 1963. In
1964, the two countries joined to form the nation of Tanzania.

Olduvai Gorge is in northern Tanzania. It was the home of some of the earliest humans. Scientists
have found bones here that are over a million years old. They've also found some of the first stone
tools.

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1 What is the MAIN idea of the section "History"?

(A) Scientists found some of the first stone tools in Tanzania.

(B) Tanzania was created in 1964, when two other countries joined.

(C) Tanzania is one of the largest countries in Africa.

(D) The Olduvai Gorge is located in northern Tanzania.

2 Read the paragraph from the section "Nature."

Some of the most famous African animals live in Tanzania. These include
the zebra, giraffe, elephant, rhino and lion. They are in danger of dying
out because of illegal hunting. Crocodiles and hippopotamuses can be
found along rivers and lakes. Giant turtles live off the coast.

How does the paragraph above support the MAIN idea of the article?

(A) It explains why elephants are dying out in Tanzania.

(B) It shows readers that it is important to protect wildlife in Tanzania.

(C) It shows readers that most animals in Tanzania live near water.

(D) It explains the variety of animals found in Tanzania.

3 Examine Image 2 near the section "Government."

How does this image help the reader better understand the geography of Tanzania?

(A) It shows Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa.

(B) It shows how many people climb Mount Kilimanjaro every year.

(C) It shows that most of the country of Tanzania is a desert.

(D) It shows readers that parts of Tanzania get snow.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 6

Based on Image 1 and the information in the introduction, what do we know about Tanzania?

(A) Many chimpanzees live in the Gombe Stream National Park.

(B) Tanzania is home to many animals, such as giraffes.

(C) The most popular park in Tanzania is Serengeti National Park.

(D) Tanzania has lakes and wetlands that attract animals such as elephants and
hippos.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 7

1 What is the MAIN idea of the section "History"?

(A) Scientists found some of the first stone tools in Tanzania.

(B) Tanzania was created in 1964, when two other countries joined.

(C) Tanzania is one of the largest countries in Africa.

(D) The Olduvai Gorge is located in northern Tanzania.

2 Read the paragraph from the section "Nature."

Some of the most famous African animals live in Tanzania. These include
the zebra, giraffe, elephant, rhino and lion. They are in danger of dying
out because of illegal hunting. Crocodiles and hippopotamuses can be
found along rivers and lakes. Giant turtles live off the coast.

How does the paragraph above support the MAIN idea of the article?

(A) It explains why elephants are dying out in Tanzania.

(B) It shows readers that it is important to protect wildlife in Tanzania.

(C) It shows readers that most animals in Tanzania live near water.

(D) It explains the variety of animals found in Tanzania.

3 Examine Image 2 near the section "Government."

How does this image help the reader better understand the geography of Tanzania?

(A) It shows Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa.

(B) It shows how many people climb Mount Kilimanjaro every year.

(C) It shows that most of the country of Tanzania is a desert.

(D) It shows readers that parts of Tanzania get snow.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 8

Based on Image 1 and the information in the introduction, what do we know about Tanzania?

(A) Many chimpanzees live in the Gombe Stream National Park.

(B) Tanzania is home to many animals, such as giraffes.

(C) The most popular park in Tanzania is Serengeti National Park.

(D) Tanzania has lakes and wetlands that attract animals such as elephants
and hippos.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 9