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Arusha

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Arusha is a major city located in the country of Tanzania.

Look at Mt. Meru Arusha Tanzania
Look at Mt. Meru Arusha Tanzania

It serves as the capital of the Arusha Region. The city sits on the southern slopes of Mount Meru. This mountain is part of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley. Because of its high elevation, the city has a subtropical highland climate. This means the air stays relatively cool and dry despite being near the equator.

Arusha, Tanzania (Explored) - Flickr - romanboed
Arusha, Tanzania (Explored) - Flickr - romanboed

The climate in Arusha follows a bimodal rainfall pattern. This means there are two distinct rainy seasons each year. The long rainy season, called the masika, occurs from March through May. These rains are quite reliable due to the influence of Mount Meru. The shorter rainy season, known as the vuli, usually happens in November and December. Between these periods, the region experiences a dry season called the kiangazi from June to October. The annual rainfall averages about 1,200 millimeters.

Arusha Clocktower
Arusha Clocktower

Arusha is a vital international diplomatic hub for the continent. It hosts several important intergovernmental organizations. The city is the headquarters for the East African Community. It also hosts the African Court of the African Union. For a time, the city hosted the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda from 1994 to 2015. Currently, a branch of the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals operates there.

East African Legislative Assembly
East African Legislative Assembly
UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Arusha, Tanzania (33469820718)
UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Arusha, Tanzania (33469820718)

The history of the area began with the Arusha Maasai in the 1830s. These agro-pastoral people traded grains, honey, and tobacco for livestock and milk. In 1896, German forces conquered the region. The Germans built a large military fort known as a boma to show their power. Many Africans were forced to work on the construction of this fort. In 1916, during World War I, the British took control of Arusha from the Germans. The town grew significantly after the British moved the regional administration there. A railroad extension in the late 1920s helped increase local commerce.

Today, Arusha is a multicultural city with 617,631 residents. The population includes indigenous Africans, Arab-Tanzanians, and Indian-Tanzanians. There are also small minority groups from Europe and North America. People in the region practice many different religions. These include Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and Hinduism. The city is home to many educational institutions. These include the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology and various international schools.

Visitors to Arusha can explore several cultural and scientific sites. The National Natural History Museum displays models of human ancestors from over 2 million years ago. The museum grounds also feature a giant tortoise that is over 100 years old. For art lovers, the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre offers a wide range of African art. This includes works from the Tanzanian TingaTinga school. The city also features many places of worship, such as the Cathedral of Arusha.

Travel to the city is well-supported by various transport links. Arusha is served by two different airports. The Kilimanjaro International Airport handles international travelers. The Arusha Airport is a regional hub in the west of the city.

Regional Air Arusha
Regional Air Arusha

It serves more than 87,000 passengers every year. Travelers can also use the Central Bus Terminal to reach many other cities.

Central Bus Terminal Arusha City
Central Bus Terminal Arusha City

The city is also located on the Cape to Cairo Road, a major route through the continent.

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🖼️ Images & Media (11)
File:clock tower May 1953.jpg
clock tower May 1953.jpg
File:Arusha Clocktower.jpg
Arusha Clocktower.jpg
File:East African Legislative Assembly.jpg
East African Legislative Assembly.jpg
File:UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Arusha, Tanzania (33469820718).jpg
UN International Residual Mechanism for...
File:Look at Mt. Meru Arusha Tanzania.jpg
Look at Mt. Meru Arusha Tanzania.jpg
File:Regional Air Arusha.jpg
Regional Air Arusha.jpg
File:Central Bus Terminal Arusha City.jpg
Central Bus Terminal Arusha City.jpg
File:Cathedral of Arusha.jpg
Cathedral of Arusha.jpg
File:ALMC Hospital in Arusha.jpg
ALMC Hospital in Arusha.jpg
File:Arusha, Tanzania (Explored) - Flickr - romanboed.jpg
Arusha, Tanzania (Explored) - Flickr -...
File:Sheikh Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium.jpg
Sheikh Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium.jpg
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