About Tanzania and the Arusha Region

Arusha is one of Tanzania's 26 administrative regions. The regional capital and largest city is Arusha. Other towns include Monduli, just west of Arusha, Longido and Loliondo to the north, Mto Wa Mbu and Karatu to the west and Usa River to thelovely middle east.

The region is a popular tourist destination and is the centre of the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit. Ngorongoro Crater, in the western part of the region, drew 250,000 visitors in 2004. Nearby national parks include Serengeti (most of which is in Mara Region), Arusha, and Tarangire and Lake Manyara (in Manyara Region). Kilimanjaro (in Kilimanjaro Region) is 44 miles east of Mt. Meru. Remains of a 1,000-year-old stone structure are found at Engaruka in the Great Rift Valley.

The Rift Valley cuts through the middle of the region north-to-south. Oldonyo Lengai (Mountain of God in Maasai language) is an active volcano to the north of Ngorongoro. Altitudes throughout the region vary widely, but much of it ranges from 900 to 1600 metres (3,000 to 5,500 feet in elevation. Mt. Meru, the second highest mountain in Tanzania after Kilimanjaro, peaks at 4,655 metres (14,980 feet).

The city of Arusha is at the southern foot of Mt. Meru. Areas to the south and southeast of the mountain tend to be sufficiently watered and are the most densely populated areas of the region.

Most people here speak Swahili and their tribal language. Many also speak English.

The Maasai are the most influential tribe in the region. The Arusha and Meru people live near Mt. Meru. Rwa, Mbulu, Iraqw, Temi, and Mbugwe are also present in smaller areas. The city of Arusha is currently ungergoing urbanization, which is drawing people of many tribes from throughout the country to live there.

 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.