TANZANIA
OVERVIEW
The United Republic of Tanzania is one of the largest countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and is comprised of 120 ethnic groups. The name Tanzania is a combination of the mainland portion of Tanzania, Tanganyika, and the island off Tanzania’s coast, Zanzibar. Formerly a German colony, Tanganyika became a British-Mandated territory following Germany’s defeat in World War I. In 1961, it was declared an independent nation and in 1964 united with Zanzibar to create, the United Republic of Tanzania. As a single-party state, it has never experienced a violent or irregular change of government since its independence. The first President Julius Nyere strived for national unity and with Tanzania being comprised of over 100 varying languages, he established Swahili as the national language (Nelson 2012).
With Tanzania’s economy struggling in the mid 1980’s, the Tanzanian government turned to the International Monetary Fund for financing. With this transaction, Tanzania became bound to undergo structural adjustments set by the IMF. Although Tanzania is described as a "reformist success story," it has unfortunately been a case of growth without prosperity. This is partly due to the political structure of Tanzania where power is heavily concentrated in the executive branch and public resources are widely and systematically used for private accumulation (Nelson 2012). These political and global dynamics shape Tanzania's place economically, politically, and socially in the world.
With Tanzania’s economy struggling in the mid 1980’s, the Tanzanian government turned to the International Monetary Fund for financing. With this transaction, Tanzania became bound to undergo structural adjustments set by the IMF. Although Tanzania is described as a "reformist success story," it has unfortunately been a case of growth without prosperity. This is partly due to the political structure of Tanzania where power is heavily concentrated in the executive branch and public resources are widely and systematically used for private accumulation (Nelson 2012). These political and global dynamics shape Tanzania's place economically, politically, and socially in the world.
WILDLIFE TOURISM
Tanzania is the home of the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. These natural wonders are celebrated worldwide and make it one of Africa's major tourist destinations.
The political-economic structure of Tanzania greatly shapes its land policies. Wildlife conservation began in Tanzania in 1891 when German rulers implemented hunting regulations, followed by the establishment of game reserves in 1905. The current conservation framework of Wildlife Parks and Game Reserves was established in 1951, under British rule. When Tanzania gained its independence, President Nyere vowed the continued commitment to wildlife protection and today 30% of Tanzania's land mass is a state-protected conservation area (Kideghesho 2008).
The effects of tourism on Tanzania and its people is little understood. Although the great success of the tourist industry comprises one third of Tanzania's GDP, there have been little benefits of the tourism dollar for the people of Tanzania (Nelson 2012). Furthermore, the conflicts that arise from tourism in Tanzania are windows into greater themes of Western oppression, economically and socially, over African countries.
The political-economic structure of Tanzania greatly shapes its land policies. Wildlife conservation began in Tanzania in 1891 when German rulers implemented hunting regulations, followed by the establishment of game reserves in 1905. The current conservation framework of Wildlife Parks and Game Reserves was established in 1951, under British rule. When Tanzania gained its independence, President Nyere vowed the continued commitment to wildlife protection and today 30% of Tanzania's land mass is a state-protected conservation area (Kideghesho 2008).
The effects of tourism on Tanzania and its people is little understood. Although the great success of the tourist industry comprises one third of Tanzania's GDP, there have been little benefits of the tourism dollar for the people of Tanzania (Nelson 2012). Furthermore, the conflicts that arise from tourism in Tanzania are windows into greater themes of Western oppression, economically and socially, over African countries.