City Facts

Dar-es-salaam City Facts

Dar es Salaam is an Arabic word which means the 'haven of peace'. It is the commercial capital and largest city of Tanzania. It was formerly known as Mzizima meaning healthy town.

It was founded in the 1860s as a summer residence for the sultan of Zanzibar. It was later developed by the German colonialists for their interests after 1885. In 1896, it became the capital of German East Africa. Dar es Salaam came under British control in 1916, and its main development as a modern city began in the 1940s. It became the capital of a newly independent Tanganyika in 1961 and continued as the seat of administration when Tanganyika and Zanzibar were merged to form Tanzania in 1964.

Administratively, Dar es Salaam is broken into 3 districts: Ilala , Kinondoni , and Temeke

Today, the city of Dar es Salaam has become a vibrant cosmopolitan and metropolitan city. Dar es Salaam is no longer as the capital of Tanzania. It remains to be the countrys leading city, the principal commercial, manufacturing and educational centre.

HISTORY

1860’s Dar es Salaam was set up as a summer residence for the sultan of Zanzibar.
1885 after this year, Dar es Salaam was developed by the German colonialists for their interests.
1896 Dar es Salaam became the capital of German East Africa.
1916 Dar es Salaam came under British control
1940s Dar es Salaam started its main development as a modern city.
1961 It became the capital of a newly independent Tanganyika. Dar es Salaam was elevated to city status.
2004 Today, the city of Dar es Salaam has become a vibrant cosmopolitan and metropolitan city. Many developments are underway that will change the face of Dar es Salaam, making it more modern, attractive and sustainable city.

LOCATION

Dar es Salaam City is situated on the coast of Tanzania East on the shores of the Indian Ocean. It borders Zanzibar to the east, Tanga to its north, Coast Region to its South, West and North.

GEOGRAPHY

Dar es Salaam is spread over a total area of 229.88 SQ KM.
Latitude - 6°48' S
Longitude - 39°17' E
Kigamboni is part of Dar es Salaam and is separated by the Kigamboni Creek.

ACCESSIBILITY

By Air: Mwalimu J.K.Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam International Airport)
By Sea: Dar es Salaam Harbor
By Road: Regional road networks, extend to international connections.
By Rail: Rail links extend inland to Arusha in the north, to Lakes Tanganyika and Victoria, and to Zambia.

POPULATION

An estimated population of 4 million

LANGUAGE

The official language is Kiswahili. English is widely spoken and understood.

ELECTRICITY

The voltage system in Dar es Salaam is 220 Volts.

HOLIDAYS

Sunday is a weekly public holiday and Saturday is a half working day

CLIMATE

As it is close to the equator and the warm indian ocean, the climate is tropical with temperatures between 25C and 30C and hot and humid weather. The highest temperatures are experienced between Octobers and mid-March with the coolest season being June and September. Long rains occur between March and mid-June while short rains between mid-September and mid-November.

PEOPLE & RELIGION

The people of Dar es Salaam are warm, open, friendly and hospitable. Muslims, Christians, Hindus and other traditional beliefs live together in perfect harmony. There are several mosques, churches and temples around the city. Dar es Salaam is rapidly expanding and the suburbs are fast becoming part of the city and various races live together in various parts of the city.

CLOTHING

Light cotton & summer wear is ideal on the most of the year tropical climate. It’s advisable to keep an umbrella for the rainy season.

LOCAL TIME

Tanzania is three hours behind the Greenwich Mean Time.

CREDIT CARDS

The most used cards are American Express, Euro Card, Master Card and VISA.

DRIVING

There are tarmac roads connecting many parts of the city and surrounding areas.
There are several bridges. The most famous is the Salender Bridge along AliHassan Mwinyi Road.
Dar es Salaam drives on the left hand side of the road (keep left).
Several Streets in the city center have parking charges.
Maps are available at major bookshops and stationery shops.
There are several Filling stations all over the city.

EDUCATION

The city is also an educational centre and boasts of many schools, colleges and universities. Some of them are:
Schools: International School of Tanganyika, Mzizima, Shaban Robert and Al Muntazir Islamic Seminary.
Colleges: Institute of Financial Management, ar es Salaam Institute of Technology and College of Business Education.
Universities: University of Dar es Salaam, Open University of Tanzania, Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, International Medical and Technological University (IMTU).

SAFETY

Dar es Salaam is generally safe. But one needs to take precautionary measures especially at night. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Be on the alert in daytime of pickpockets who would usually pick wallets or mobile phones. If possible, avoid traveling at night. If you must, lock your windows. Keep valuables at home, Avoid traveling alone especially in remote places. If you do get into trouble, dial 112.

MOBILE PHONES

The following companies provide GSM cellular services:
Tigo 0713 800800
Celtel 0784 748100
Vodacom 0754 705000
Zantel

PUBLIC PHONES

Phones cards are wildely available in many kiosks and shops with several denominations.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Emergency

Crime Stoppers 111
Ambulance/ Fire / Police 112
Anti-Corruption 113

Police Stations

Central Police 2115507
Airport Police 2844354
Salander Bridge Police 2120818
Oysterbay Police 2667322

PHOTOGRAPHY

There are some restrictions to photograph some places like military and government places and people like police. Ask before taking any pictures.

CURRENCY

The monetory unit is the Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh) which is equal to 100 cents. Although cents are no longer used. Notes denominations are in 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10000. Commonly used coin denominations are 50, 100 & 200. There are various forex bureaus throught the city.
1$ is approximately 1200 Tsh.

WORKING HOURS

Working hours do vary especially with banks and malls.
The Normal working hours for Weekdays are between 8:30am to 5:00pm
(with a lunch break of one hour).
Most shops are closed on Sundays with exceptions of shopping malls.

TOURIST INFORMATION

Tourist Information Center, Matasalamat Building, Samora Avenue
Tel: 2120373, 2123491

OTHER INFORMATION

More information on Dar es Salaam can be found via www.dcc.go.tz

You can also visit, www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dar_es_Salaam

BANKING HOURS

Mon to Fri 8:30 to 15:00
Sat 8:30 to 11:30. It is advisable to check hours with each bank.

AREA CODES

Local calls require a seven digit number
Calling a mobile phone requires the following codes: Tigo (071), Zantel (073), Vodacom (075) and Celtel (078).
Incase you are calling Dar es Salaam from any other city or town in Tanzania. Enter 022 followed by the main seven digit number.
The International dialing code for Dar es Salaam is +255 followed by the area code 22 then the telephone number.
The landline phone service is provided by Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL).

INTERNET ACCESSS

Internet Services are widely available in many hotels
There are also many internet cafes. Look under Business Section for listing.
Several Internet Service Providers are also available for connections.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

IMF 2115880
USAID 2117537
EU 2117473
UNICEF 2150741
ILO 2126821
WB 2114575
WFP 2666700
WHO 2113005
FAO 2113070
UNESCO 2775706
UNHCR 2150075
UNDP 2118081
UNIDO 2112527
UNFPA 2132002
WWF 2700077

DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS

Algeria 2117619
Angola 2117674
Austria 2601492
Bangladesh 2126027
Belgium 2112503
Burundi 2117615
Canada 2112831
China 2667212 / 2667586
Cuba 2115928 / 2115927
Cyprus 2113119
Denmark 2113887
Djibouti 2628153 / 2628180
DRC 2150282
Egypt 2113591
Eritrea 2115540
Finland 2119170
France 2666021
Germany 2117409
Great Britain 2110101
Greece 2115895
Hungary 2668573
India 2600714 / 2669040
Indonesia 2119119
Iran 2117623
Ireland 2602355
Italy 2115935
Japan 2115827
Kenya 2701747
Korea, North 2775395
Korea, South 2600496
Libya 2150166
Malawi 2113240
Mozambique 2116502
Nigeria 2666000 / 2667620
Norway 2113366
Netherlands 2110000
Pakistan 2117630
Palestine 2150636
Poland 2115271
Romania 2115899
Russia 2666005
Rwanda 2117631 / 2130119
Seychelles 2774527
Saudi Arabia 2667833 / 2668203
South Africa 2601800
Spain 2666936
Sudan 2117641
Sweden 2111235
Switzerland 2666008
Syria 2117656
Turkey 2134332
Uganda 2666730 / 2667391
USA 2668001
Yemen 2117650
Yugoslavia 2115891
Zambia 2118481
Zimbabwe 2116789

GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES & OFFICES
Ministry of Defence and National Services 211

Ministry of Communication and Transport

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

JAN 1 -New Year
JAN 12 - Zanzibar Revolution Day
APR 9 -Good Friday
APR 12-Easter Monday
APR 26-Union Day
MAY 1 -International Workers Day
JUL 7-Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair
AUG 8 -Peasants day
14th October –Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Day
9th Decmber –Independence Day
25th December –Christmas Day
26th December –Boxing Day

Other holidays are Mawlid Day (Holy Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday), Idd El Fitr and Idd El Hajj, these holidays depend on the sighting of the moon.

ANNUAL EVENTS

The Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF)

30th –10th July
The annual trade fair is a must visit. It is well known for its good bargains, promotions and entertainment.

The Dar es Salaam Shopping Festival (DSF)

The Dar es Salaam Shopping Festival takes place from 30th of November to 24th of December at the Mwalimu Nyerere Trade Fair Grounds.
It is organized by the Board of External Trade, the festival seeks to promote business and recreation activities for the residents of Dar. It is well times at this time of the year when celebrations like Independence Day. Eid-ul-Fitr, Christmas and New Year are being planned.