Tanzania: Flag and Facts
Tanzania's flag is split diagonally by a black band edged in yellow, running from the bottom left to the top right, with green above it and blue below.
- Official name
- United Republic of Tanzania
- Capital
- Dodoma
- Region
- Eastern Africa
- Population
- 69 million (2025)
- Languages
- English, Swahili
- Currency
- Tanzanian shilling
- Area
- 945,087 km² (364,900 sq mi)
- People
- Tanzanian
- Calling code
- +255
- Highest point
- Kilimanjaro (highest point in Africa) 5,895 m
- Independence
- 26 April 1964 (Tanganyika united with Zanzibar to form the…)
- National symbols
- Uhuru (freedom) torch, giraffe
About Tanzania
For centuries the coast traded across the Indian Ocean, which helped Swahili become a shared language across much of east Africa. Portugal took over coastal trading posts after 1498, and by 1700 the Sultanate of Oman had pushed the Portuguese out. Zanzibar, an island group just offshore, turned into a major trade hub and briefly served as Oman's capital before splitting off in 1856.
Tanganyika won independence in 1961 and Zanzibar in 1963. They joined on 26 April 1964, and the name Tanzania was adopted that October. Coastal plains give way to a central plateau and highlands in the north and south. About 69 million people live here, and Dar es Salaam is the biggest city at roughly 7.8 million. Dodoma serves as the legislative capital.
Did you know?
- Kilimanjaro, at 5,895 meters, is the highest point in all of Africa.
- The giraffe and the Uhuru torch are Tanzania's national symbols.
- Half of all Tanzanians are under 18.8 years old.
Want to test yourself? The random flag generator has a quiz mode, and the full flags of the world page shows every flag at once.
Questions about Tanzania
What do the colors on Tanzania's flag mean?
Green is vegetation, gold is minerals, black is the Swahili people, and blue is lakes, rivers and the Indian Ocean.
What languages are spoken in Tanzania?
Swahili and English. The currency is the Tanzanian shilling.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.