United Republic of Tanzania

Posted in About EAC

Tanzania hosts the EAC Headquarters. It is also the temporary seat of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) - the legislative Organ of the Community, and the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) - the judicial Organ of the Community. The country also hosts the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC).

The country includes the highest and lowest points in Africa - the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895 metres above sea level) and the floor of Lake Tanganyika (358 metres below sea level).

Key facts

Joined EAC: July 2000 (Founding Member)

Population: 54.2 million ^{(2019 Statistics)}

GDP: US$ 57.3 Billion ^{(2019 Statistics)}

Official language: Kiswahili, English

Timezone: GMT + 3hr

Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh)

Geography

Area: 945,090 sq. km

Coastline: 1,420 km (Indian Ocean)

Capital city: Dodoma

Population density (per sq. km): 53.5

The United Republic of Tanzania borders the Indian Ocean to the east, and has land borders with eight countries: (anti-clockwise from the north) Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (across Lake Tanganyika), Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The country includes Zanzibar (consisting of the main island Unguja, plus Pemba and other smaller islands)

Languages

Kiswahili and English are the official languages.

Communications

Country code 255 (no area codes); internet domain ‘.tz’.

Public Holidays

New Year’s Day, Zanzibar Revolution Day (12 January, 1964), Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day (7 April, Zanzibar only), Union Day (26 April), Labour Day (1 May), Saba Saba (Industry Day, 7 July), Nane Nane (Farmers’ Day, 8 August), Nyerere Day (14 October), Republic Day (9 December), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Prophet’s Birthday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan, two days) and Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

Transport

There are 90,810 km of roads, 15% paved.

There are also 2 railway systems, extending to a total of 4,460 km, and running on 2 different gauges. One links Dar es Salaam with central, western and northern Tanzania and Kenya (Tanzania Railways Corporation, gauge one metre, extending to 2,600 km); the other links Dar es Salaam to Zambia (Tanzania-Zambia Railways Authority, or Tazara).

The main ports are at Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Tanga and Zanzibar. Regular boat services carry passengers and freight between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Ferries provide freight and passenger transport on Lake Victoria.

There are 3 international airports (Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar) and more than 50 local airports and airstrips. Because of the size of the country and scattered population, air services have become the most significant form of internal transport for official and business travel.

International relations

United Republic of Tanzania is a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, African Union, The Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Rim Association, Non-Aligned Movement, Southern African Development Community, United Nations and World Trade Organization.

Topography

The country comprises several distinct zones: a fertile coastal belt; the Masai Steppe and mountain ranges to the north (with Mt Kilimanjaro rising to 5,895 metres); and a high plateau in the central and southern regions. There are over 61,000 sq. km of inland water. Unguja Island (36 km from the mainland) is fertile, hilly and densely populated on the west side, low and thinly peopled in the east.

Climate

Varies with geographical zones: tropical on the coast, where it is hot and humid (rainy season March-May); semi- temperate in the mountains (with the short rains in November-December and the long rains in February-May); and drier in the plateau region with considerable seasonal variations in temperature.

Environment

The most significant environmental issues are drought, soil degradation, deforestation, desertification and destruction of coral reefs.

Vegetation

Lush tropical at the coast; the rest of the country, apart from urban areas, is savannah and bush. Forest and woodland cover 37% of the land area, having declined at 1.1% p.a. 1990-2010. Arable land comprises 16% and permanent cropland 2% of the total land area.

Wildlife

The national parks and game reserves cover 16% of the country and include Serengeti National Park (famous for its vast migratory herds of plains animals, notably wildebeest, zebras, elands and kudus). Small bands of chimpanzees are found in the Gombe National Park along Lake Tanganyika. The steep mountain walls of Ngorogoro Park’s volcanic crater have provided protection and a natural enclosure for animals in an environment of great natural beauty.

Republic of Rwanda

Posted in About EAC

Rwanda joined the East African Community in July 2007.

In 2008, the Government of Rwanda decided to change the medium of education from French to English.

In September 2008, Rwanda became the first nation in the world to elect a majority of women MPs: 45 of the 80 members of the Chamber of Deputies. The number increased to 51 women deputies in the September 2013 election.

The Country hosts the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTC), an institution of the Community with the objective of promoting and coordinating of the development, management and application of science and technology in the Partner States.

Key facts

Joined EAC: July 2007

Population: 12.1 million  ^{(2019 Statistics)}

GDP: US$ 9.51 Billion ^{(2019 Statistics)}

Official language: Kinyarwanda, English, French

Timezone: GMT + 2hr

Currency: Rwandan Franc (Rwfr)

Geography

Area: 26,338 sq. km

Coastline: none

Capital city: Kigali

Population density (per sq. km): 434

The Republic of Rwanda is a landlocked country with land borders with four countries: Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (clockwise from the north). Water covers 1,390 sq. km of the country; the largest lakes include Bulera, Ihema, Kivu (straddling the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo), Mugesera and Muhazi, and there are many rivers.

Languages

Kinyarwanda, English and French are the official languages, and Kiswahili is widely spoken.

Communications

Country code 250 (no area codes); internet domain ‘.rw’.

Public holidays

New Year’s Day, Heroes’ Day (1 February), Tutsi Genocide Memorial Day (7 April), Labour Day (1 May), Independence Day (1 July), Liberation Day (4 July), Assumption (15 August), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday and Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan, two days).

Transport

There are 14,000 km of roads, 19% paved.

There is no railway.

The main international airport is Kigali International Airport in Kigali.

International relations

Rwanda is a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, African Union, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, The Commonwealth, Non-Aligned Movement, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, United Nations and World Trade Organization.

Topography

The terrain is rugged with steep hills and deep valleys, rising in the north to the highest peak, Karisimbi (4,519 metres), which lies in a range of volcanoes. The country is popularly known as the ‘land of a thousand hills’.

Climate

Though the country is close to the Equator, the climate is tempered by altitude; it is hot and humid in the valleys, and drier and cooler in the higher elevations. The rainy seasons are March-May and October-November; the hottest season being August-September.

Environment

The most significant environmental issues are drought, limiting the potential for agriculture; overgrazing; soil erosion and degradation; and deforestation due to almost universal use of wood as a fuel.

Vegetation

Thick equatorial rainforest is found in the north and west of the country - forest covering some 18% of the total land area - and savannah in the east. Forest cover has increased at 1.6% p.a. 1990-2010. Arable land comprises 49% and permanent cropland 10% of the total land area.

Wildlife

National parks and game reserves cover some 8% of the country and include the Volcanoes National Park (famous for its mountain gorillas) and Akagera National Park (elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and zebras).

Republic of Kenya

Posted in About EAC

Kenya hosts the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO), both institutions of the EAC mandated with coordinating sustainable development in the Lake Victoria Basin and its environs.

Key facts

Joined EAC: July 2000 (Founding Member)

Population: 47.8 million ^{(2019 Statistics)}

GDP: US$ 87.9 Billion ^{(2019 Statistics)}

Official language: Kiswahili, English

Timezone: GMT + 3hr

Currency: Kenyan Shilling (Ksh)

Geography

Area: 582,646 sq. km

Coastline: 536 km (Indian Ocean)

Capital city: Nairobi

Population density (per sq. km): 74

Kenya lies astride the equator, extending from the Indian Ocean in the east to Uganda in the west and from the United Republic of Tanzania in the south to Ethiopia and Sudan in the north. On the east and north-east, it borders Somalia.

Languages

Kiswahili and English are official languages. Each of the ethnic groups has its own language.

Communications

Country code 254 (no area codes); internet domain ‘.ke’.

Public Holidays

New Year’s Day, Labour Day (1 May), Madaraka Day (1 June), Mashujaa Day (20 October), Jamhuri Day (Independence Day, 12 December), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious and other festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday, Easter Monday and Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan, three days).

Transport

61,950 km of roads, 14% paved, and around 1,920 km of railway. The main railway line runs between Mombasa and Nairobi, and branch lines connect with Taveta on the Tanzanian border in the south and Kisumu on Lake Victoria in the west.

Mombasa is the chief port for Kenya and an important regional port, handling freight for and from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, including a substantial volume of food aid. Ferries ply the coast between Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is 13 km south-east of Nairobi. Moi International is 13 km west of Mombasa.

International relations

Kenya is a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, African Union, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, The Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Rim Association, Non-Aligned Movement, United Nations and World Trade Organization. Kenya is also a member of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which was established in 1986 by the 6 countries in the Horn of Africa to combat drought and desertification and promote food security in the region.

Topography

There are 4 main regions. The north-east plain is arid. The south-east region is fertile along the Tana river, in the coastal strip and in the Taita Hills, which rise to 2,100 metres. The north-west is generally low-lying and arid but includes Lake Turkana, 260 km long, and many mountains, including Nyiru (2,800 metres). The south-west quarter, a plateau rising to 3,000 metres, includes some of Africa’s highest mountains: Mount Kenya (5,200 metres), Mount Elgon (4,320 metres) and the Aberdare Range (4,000 metres). The Great Rift Valley runs across the plateau from north to south, 50-65 km wide and 600-1,000 metres deep. West of the Rift the plateau falls to Lake Victoria and eastward the rivers Tana and Athi (or Galana downstream) flow into the Indian Ocean.

Climate

The coastal areas are tropical, with monsoon winds. The lowlands are hot and mainly dry. The highlands are much cooler and have 4 seasons.

Environment

The most significant issues are water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilisers; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; and poaching.

Vegetation

Thornbush and grassland are characteristic of much of the country. Varied forest covers about 13,000 sq km of the south-west quarter, at 2-3,500 metres above sea level. Forest covers 6% of the land area, having declined at 0.3% p.a. 1990-2010. Arable land comprises ten per cent and permanent cropland one per cent of the total land area.

Wildlife

Kenya’s wildlife is probably the most famous in the world. Wild mammals include lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, antelopes, gazelles, elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotami, baboons and many kinds of monkeys. There is a rich variety of native birdlife and migrant birds visit the country, which breed in Europe. Wildlife is protected in reserves extending to 45,500 sq. km, or some 8% of the total land area.

Republic of Burundi

Posted in About EAC

Burundi joined the East African Community in July 2007.

The country hosts the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC), an institution of the Community which coordinates and promotes the conduct of health research in order to improve the health and well-being of the peoples of the Community.

Key facts

Joined EAC: July 2007

Population: 11.7 million ^{(2019 Statistics)}

GDP (nominal): US$ 3.2 Billion ^{(2018 Statistics)}

Official language: Kirundi, French

Timezone: GMT + 2hr

Currency: Burundi Franc (FBu)

Geography

Area: 27,834 sq. km

Coastline: none

Capital city: Gitega

Population density (per sq. km): 374

The Republic of Burundi is a landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region of East Africa, bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Burundi is a part of the Albertine Rift, the western extension of the East African Rift. The country lies on a rolling plateau in the center of Africa. The source of the Nile River is in Bururi province, and is linked from Lake Victoria to its headwaters via the Ruvyironza River, Lake Victoria is also an important water source, which serves as a fork to the Kagera River, while Lake Tanganyika is located in much of Burundi’s southwestern corner.

Languages

Kirundi and French are the official languages, and Kiswahili and English are widely spoken.

Communications

Country code 257 (no area codes); internet domain ‘.bi’.

Public holidays

New Year’s Day, Unity Day (5 February), Ntaryamira Day (6 April), Labour Day (1 May), Ascension Day (May), Independence Day (1 July), Assumption (15 August), All Saints’ Day (1 November), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday, Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan, two days) and Eid al-Adha.

Transport

There are 12,300km of roads, 10% paved.

There is no railway.

The main international airport is Bujumbura International Airport in Bujumbura.

International relations

Burundi is a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, African Union, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Non-Aligned Movement, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, United Nations and World Trade Organization.

Topography

Burundi is a country mainly of mountains and plateaus, with a western range of mountains running north-south and continuing into Rwanda. The highest point is Mt. Heha at 2,670 m. The country is popularly known as the ‘the heart of Africa’.

Climate

Burundi has a moderate tropical climate with average temperatures between 23 and 24^ºC, a fortunate average for a country located near the Equatorial area renowned for its heat and humidity.

Environment

The most significant environmental issues soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands as well as deforestation due to little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel. In addition, habitat loss threatens wildlife populations.

Vegetation

The growth and development of Burundi Flora and Fauna depends on the location and the climate of the country. However, the flora of Burundi has undergone huge exploitation throughout the past and consequentially the fauna of Burundi has also been affected. Savanna grasslands cover most parts of Burundi. The trees thriving in Burundi concentrate in the regions surrounding the lakes.

Wildlife

Wildlife was abundant before the region became agricultural. Still found are the elephant, hippopotamus, crocodile, wild boar, lion, antelope, and flying lemur, as well as such game birds as guinea fowl, partridge, duck, geese, quail, and snipe.