DAR ES SALAAM AFRICA'S HAVEN OF PEACE

Downtown Dar

Dar es Salaam is located at 6°48' South, 39°17' East (-6.8, 39.28333), Tanzania

Population (2005) -2,676,000

The largest city in Tanzania Dar es Salaam is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. Dar es Salaam (formerly Mzizima) is the economic center and former capital of Tanzania. Located on a harbour on the Indian Ocean, it is the main port for Tanzania, handling exports of local produce such as coffee, cotton and sisal. Dar es Salaam also serves as a major sea outlet for neighbouring countries Zambia, Burundi, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Photos of Dar By Brian Mc Morrow

HISTORY

Sultan Seyyid Majid of Zanzibar is credited for having founded Mzizima in 1862 and wanted to move his capital to the small port of Mzizima. In 1866 Sultan Seyyid Majid of Zanzibar renamed Mzizima to Dar es Salaam, an Arabic phrase meaning Haven of Peace. Dar es Salaam fell into decline after Majid's death in 1870, since his successor Barghash lost interest and interrupted the building of the town. Albert Roscher of Hamburg is reported to have been the first European to land in Mzizima ("healthy town") in 1859.

Development of Dar es Salaam resumed with the arrival of the German East Africa Company in the 1880's as they set up their administrative offices and commercial centers in Dar. The Imperial German Commissioner later transferred the capital of the German East Africa (currently mainland Tanzania) from Bagamayo to Dar es Salaam.

Photos by Michael

FERRY DAR ES SALAAM

Photo by Brian McMorrow

Photo by Maciej Dakowicz

Photos by Terry Watson

COLONIAL ERA

German East Africa was captured by the British during World War I and from then on referred to as Tanganyika. Dar es Salaam was retained as the territory's administrative and commercial centre. Under British indirect rule, separate European (e.g. Oyster Bay) and African (e.g. Kariakoo and Ilala) areas developed at a distance from the city center. The town's population also included a large amount of South Asians.

Photos by Terry Watson

After World War II, Dar es Salaam experienced a period of rapid growth. Political developments, including the formation and growth of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), led to Tanganyika attaining independence from colonial rule in December 1961. Dar es Salaam continued to serve as its capital, following the merger of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form Tanzania in 1964. However, in 1973 provisions were made to relocate the capital to Dodoma, a more centrally located city in Tanzania's interior. The relocation process has not yet been completed, and Dar es Salaam still serves as the main commercial base with several administrative offices.

Jenna Bush listens to children with HIV/AIDS at PASADA in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Wednesday, July 13, 2005. White House photo

Laura Bush meets with former Tanzania President Benjamin Mkapa at the Presidential Residence in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Wednesday, July 13, 2005. White House photo

Welcome to Dar

More Information
Tanzania Tourist Board
UNDP World Urbanization Prospects
Tanzania Dar es Salaam Urban Livelihood Challenges