Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam (/ˌdɑːr ɛs səˈlɑːm/; from Arabic: دَار السَّلَام, romanized: Dār as-Salām, lit. 'Abode of Peace') is the largest city and financial hub of Tanzania. It is also the capital of the Dar es Salaam Region. With a population of over five million people, Dar es Salaam is the largest city in East Africa and the sixth-largest in Africa. Located on the Swahili coast, Dar es Salaam is an important economic center and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.
Dar es Salaam
Dar | |
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Largest city of Tanzania | |
From top, left to right: Aerial view of Dar es Salaam, City from MV Kigamboni, Tanzania National Stadium, Aerial view of Dar es Salaam Port | |
Seal | |
Dar es Salaam Location of Dar es Salaam | |
Coordinates: 06°48′58″S 39°16′49″E | |
Country | Tanzania |
Zone | Coastal Indian Ocean |
Districts | |
Government | |
• Regional Commissioner | Albert Challamila |
• Lord Mayor | Isaya Mwita Charles |
Area | |
• Total | 1,493 km2 (576 sq mi) |
• Water | 0 km2 (0 sq mi) |
Population (2022 census) | |
• Total | 5,383,728 |
• Density | 3,600/km2 (9,300/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
Postcode | 11xxx |
Area code | 022 |
HDI (2018) | 0.631 medium · 2nd |
Website | dcc.go.tz |
The town was founded by Majid bin Said, the first Sultan of Zanzibar, in 1865 or 1866. It was the main administrative and commercial center of German East Africa, Tanganyika, and Tanzania. The decision was made in 1974 to move the capital to Dodoma which was officially completed in 1996.
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's most prominent city for arts, fashion, media, film, television, and finance. It is the capital of the co-extensive Dar es Salaam Region, one of Tanzania's 31 administrative regions, and consists of five districts: Kinondoni in the north; Ilala in the centre; Ubungo and Temeke in the south; and Kigamboni in the east across the Kurasini estuary.