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 the east. The region is divided into five districts: Ngorongoro, Arusha, Karatu, Monduli and Arumeru.
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, Tarangire and Lake Manyara (in Manyara Region). Kilimanjaro (in Kilimanjaro Region) is 44 miles east of Mount Meru. Remains of a 1,000-year-old stone structure are found at Engaruka in the Great Rift Valley.
The Rift Valley cuts right 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).
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 undergoing urbanization, which is drawing people of many tribes from throughout the country to live there.
According to the 2002 Tanzania National Census, the population of the Arusha Region was 1,292,973. [1]
Portions of the former Arusha Region districts of Kiteto, Babati, Mbulu, Hanang, and a tiny piece of Monduli were incorporated into the recently formed Manyara Region -- immediately south of Arusha Region.
The Arusha Region contains both the Lelatema Mountains and the Umba Valley.
The Arusha regional commissioner is Isidore Leka Shirima.
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