Geography of Tanzania
Location
Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique.
Geographic Coordinates
6 00 S, 35 00 E
Geographical Area
Land
886,037 Sq Km.
Water
59,050 Sq Km.
Land Boundary
3,861 Km.
Border Countries
Burundi
451 Km.
Congo (DRC)
459 Km.
Kenya
769 Km.
Malawi
475 Km.
Mozambique
756 Km.
Rwanda
217 Km.
Uganda
396 Km.
Zambia
338 Km.
Length of Coastline
1,424 Km.
Terrain
Plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south.
Elevation Extremes
Lowest Point
Indian Ocean 0 m
Highest Point
Kilimanjaro 5,895 m
Natural Resources
Hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel.
Land Use
Arable Land
4%
Permanent Crops
1%
Other
95%
Irrigated Land
1,840 Sq Km.
Natural Hazards
Flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought.
Environmental Issues
Soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory.