The United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, Tanzania is the largest of the three countries in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda are the other two).  It is famous around the globe because of  Serengeti, Zanzibar and Mt. Kilimanjaro. With a population of 29 million people made up of over 100 tribes, the country is diverse both in culture and in geography. 

Tanzaina was a German colony before the First World War, and was given to the British by the League of Nations in1918.  In 1961, Tanzania achieved independence and had its first president, Nyerere.  Nyerere drove the country to bankrupcy because of his support of the guerrillas fighting for the independence of Angola and Mozambique.  In 1978 Idi Amin of Uganda sent his army into northern Tanzania, as a result of Tanzania supporting exiled groups who were hostile to his regime.  Tanzania mobilized an army, after a few months of delay, pushed out hte Ugandans.  In 1985 Nyerere stepped down but he then became the chairman of his party Chana Cha Mapinduzi.  Ali Hassan Mwinyi has been president since.