Quick Facts about Tanzania
Capital Dodoma (moved from Dar es Salaam in 1973)
Government Republic
Currency Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
Area 945,087 km2
Population 37,187,939 (July 2002 est.)
Language Kiswahili or Swahili (official); English (official, commerce); Arabic(in Zanzibar), and many local languages.
Religion Mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - 99% Muslim
Electricity 230V/50Hz (Indian or UK plug)
Calling Code +255 (007 from Kenya andUganda)
Internet TLD .tz

Tanzania: Drink

Bottled water is cheap and widely available throughout the country. You shouldn't drink the tap water unless you have no other option, and it must either be filtered with a high quality filter and purifier or kept at a rolling boiled for at least 10 minutes before consumption. Recent tests on tap water have found it contaminated with the e-coli bacteria.

Konyagi is a wonderful gin-like beverage, sold only in Tanzania.

Domestic beers are Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Safari, which are western-style and very good. Imports include Tusker, Stella Artois, and Castle.

Locally produced banana-beer is also available at times, but questionably safe to drink. Traditionally, you will drink this out of a hollowed gourd. First drink the guests, who then pass it to the elders. In some parts of of Tanzania, fermented bamboo juice (Pombe) is the common tipple.

Passion fruit, mango, and orange juices are available in many restaurants, and excellent when the fruits are in season.

Soft drinks are widely available; Stoney Tangawizi (ginger ale - tangawizi means 'ginger', in Swahili) is one of the most popular.

Other popular beverages are Orange Fanta, Bitter Lemon, Soda Water, Tonic Water, and Lassi (a sweet or salty yogurt drink).