Capital of Tanzania: Dodoma — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Tanzania is Dodoma. Tanzania sits in Africa, has a population of 65,497,748, and uses the TZS. Official languages include Swahili, English.
Quick facts
- Capital: Dodoma
- Continent: Africa
- Population: ~65,497,748
- Area: 945,087 km²
- Population density: 69.3 people per km²
- Official languages: Swahili, English
- Currency: TZS
- ISO code: TZ
How big is Tanzania?
By population, Tanzania ranks 22nd in the world, holding roughly 0.82% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 30th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Tanzania has 69.3 people per square kilometre, which is somewhat above the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Africa, Tanzania is the 5th most populous country of 54.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Tanzania in population are France (64,626,628) and United Kingdom (66,971,395).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Nigeria (923,768 km²) and Venezuela (916,445 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Swahili is spoken officially in 3 countries in this dataset, including Kenya and Uganda.
Tanzania uses the TZS, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Tanzania
In 1974 the government announced that the capital would move from Dar es Salaam on the coast to Dodoma, nearer the centre of the country. Dar es Salaam is still the largest city and port, so it is the answer most people guess by mistake.
The flag of Tanzania: green, yellow, black and blue
🇹🇿 The flag is a yellow-edged black stripe running diagonally from the bottom left to the top right, with a green triangle above and a blue triangle below. The colours come from the flags of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Green stands for the land's plants, gold for its minerals, black for the Swahili people, and blue for the lakes, rivers and the Indian Ocean.
Region and neighbours
Tanzania is a large country in East Africa, on the Indian Ocean, which includes the Zanzibar islands. It shares land borders with 8 countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
- Kenya 🇰🇪 — capital Nairobi
- Uganda 🇺🇬 — capital Kampala
- Rwanda 🇷🇼 — capital Kigali
- Burundi 🇧🇮 — capital Gitega
- Democratic Republic of the Congo 🇨🇩 — capital Kinshasa
- Zambia 🇿🇲 — capital Lusaka
- Malawi 🇲🇼 — capital Lilongwe
- Mozambique 🇲🇿 — capital Maputo
Three facts about Tanzania
- Mount Kilimanjaro, 5,895 m high, is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
- The name Tanzania was made by joining the names of the two states that united in 1964: Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
- Three of Africa's Great Lakes are partly in Tanzania, including Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake.
Sources: Wikipedia: Tanzania, Wikipedia: Flag of Tanzania, Wikipedia: Dodoma, Wikipedia: Kilimanjaro, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Tanzania
- African capitals quiz — match Tanzania to Dodoma
- African flags quiz — spot the Tanzania flag among its neighbours
Tanzania capital quiz
What is the capital of Tanzania 🇹🇿?
- Juba
- Dodoma
- Mogadishu
- Asmara
Show answer
Dodoma
What is the capital of South Africa 🇿🇦?
- Rabat
- Banjul
- Pretoria
- Bangui
Show answer
Pretoria
What is the capital of Kenya 🇰🇪?
- Abuja
- Nairobi
- Harare
- Algiers
Show answer
Nairobi
What is the capital of Uganda 🇺🇬?
- Juba
- Djibouti
- Gitega
- Kampala
Show answer
Kampala
What is the capital of Sudan 🇸🇩?
- Tunis
- Gitega
- Malabo
- Khartoum
Show answer
Khartoum
Tanzania in Africa
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Africa is the block Tanzania belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Tanzania.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Tanzania?
The capital of Tanzania is Dodoma.
What is the population of Tanzania?
About 65,497,748, making it the 22nd most populous country in the world.
How big is Tanzania?
945,087 square kilometres, ranking 30th by land area, at a density of 69.3 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Tanzania use?
The TZS, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Tanzania flag?
The flag of Tanzania is a yellow-edged black stripe running diagonally from the bottom left to the top right, with a green triangle above and a blue triangle below. The colours come from the flags of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Green stands for the land's plants, gold for its minerals, black for the Swahili people, and blue for the lakes, rivers and the Indian Ocean.
Which countries border Tanzania?
Tanzania shares land borders with Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
How can I remember the capital of Tanzania?
In 1974 the government announced that the capital would move from Dar es Salaam on the coast to Dodoma, nearer the centre of the country. Dar es Salaam is still the largest city and port, so it is the answer most people guess by mistake.
More capitals to learn
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