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Tanga is the third largest city after Dar es Salaam and Mwanza. The town was first ruled by Arabs, then came the Germans under Carl Peters who established the settlement in 1888. The Germans developed the town as entry port for the settlers.

Tanga is the second largest port in mainland Tanzania and plays an important role in the country's economy. Most of the goods produced in the Northern part of Tanzania; sisal, hemp fiber, coffee, tea, cotton, hides and skins are shipped here.

Visiting Tanga one of the very important northerly seaport of Tanzania, is a pleasant and rather old world experience.The city, which was once ruled by the Sultan of Zanzibar, is vast with several districts. Tanga, close to the Pemba archipelago, bears testimony to a long history of Swahili culture.

For tourists wanting to familiarize themselves with the Swahili culture, they could not have chosen a better place. As is the scenario in Bagamoyo and Zanzibar, residents of Tanga are proud of this Cultural tradition which to a great extent dominates their daily lives.

Tanga has seven districts, and sub districts, which are Tanga, Handeni, Pangani, Korogwe, Muheza, Lushoto, and Kilindi.
 
Link: http://www.bunge.go.tz/bunge/Mp_ByRegion.asp
    
Population:

Link: http://www.tanzania.go.tz/census/pwani.htm



Cultural, Heritage, and Traditions;

Tanga is one of the centres of Swahili culture. The Arab, and Germany influences can be seen in the way people dress, and architecture of some of historical buildings around the city. Don’t be surprised to see women dressed up from head to toe with a long black dress ‘Baibui’. This is a traditional dress for women in Tanga. 

Traditional dance/actiitie: Tukulanga is a traditional dance of sambaa people. Most of time is played during wedding, after harvest, and other community functions. Within the municipality of Tanga, there is ‘Msanja’ are very classic traditional dance by a wide section of Tanga (Mjini) town community.

Mainly performed by elders during a special occasion. ‘Ngoma ya ndani’, is another famous traditional dance only for women, performed during weddings. It is strictly performed in closed doors as traditionally, some women do not want to be seen dancing in the public. If you get a chance, attend to one, you will enjoy it.  

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