Tanzania Regions and Capitals List

Tanzania is divided into 31 regions, which are further divided into districts. Here is a list of the 31 regions of Tanzania as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021:

Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and the Indian Ocean. The country is divided into 31 regions for administration and governance, including regions on the mainland and the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar. Dodoma is the official capital of Tanzania, while Dar es Salaam remains the country’s largest city and main commercial center.

Tanzania includes coastal plains, savannas, mountains, lakes, forests, and parts of the Great Rift Valley spread across a large and diverse landscape. Different regions are known for tourism, mining, agriculture, fishing, trade, wildlife conservation, and industry, and the country is home to famous places like Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and the Zanzibar archipelago.

Key Facts

National capital: Dodoma | Total population: 67,438,106 (2022 Census) | Total area: 947,303 km² (365,756 sq miles) | Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TSh - TZS) | Bordering countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique | Total Regions: 31 | Total Districts: 184+

List of Regions and Capitals of Tanzania

Total administrative divisions shown: 31 | Combined population: 67,438,106 | Combined area: 947,303 km²

Largest Regions by Area

• Tabora Region - 29,402 sq mi (76,151 km²)
• Morogoro Region - 27,268 sq mi (70,624 km²)
• Lindi Region - 25,498 sq mi (66,040 km²)
• Ruvuma Region - 24,517 sq mi (63,498 km²)
• Singida Region - 19,088 sq mi (49,438 km²)
• Katavi Region - 17,700 sq mi (45,843 km²)
• Kigoma Region - 17,400 sq mi (45,066 km²)
• Manyara Region - 17,190 sq mi (44,522 km²)

Most Populous Regions

• Dar es Salaam Region - Population: 5,383,728 (2022 Census)
• Mwanza Region - Population: 3,699,872 (2022 Census)
• Tabora Region - Population: 3,391,679 (2022 Census)
• Morogoro Region - Population: 3,127,603 (2022 Census)
• Dodoma Region - Population: 3,085,625 (2022 Census)
• Shinyanga Region - Population: 2,998,547 (2022 Census)
• Kagera Region - Population: 2,989,299 (2022 Census)
• Geita Region - Population: 2,977,608 (2022 Census)

Smallest Regions by Area

• West Zanzibar Region - 89 sq mi (230 km²)
• South Pemba Region - 128 sq mi (332 km²)
• North Pemba Region - 222 sq mi (574 km²)
• Unguja South Region - 330 sq mi (854 km²)
• Dar es Salaam Region - 538 sq mi (1,393 km²)
• Mwanza Region - 3,655 sq mi (9,467 km²)

Regions by Geographic Grouping

• Central Plateau: Dodoma Region
• Central Tanzania: Singida Region
• Central-Western Tanzania: Tabora Region
• Eastern Coast: Pwani Region
• Eastern Tanzania: Morogoro Region
• Indian Ocean Coast: Dar es Salaam Region
• Lake Victoria Interior: Simiyu Region
• Lake Victoria Zone: Geita Region, Kagera Region, Mara Region, Mwanza Region
• Northeastern Coast: Tanga Region
• Northeastern Highlands: Kilimanjaro Region
• Northern Highlands: Arusha Region
• Northern Rift Valley: Manyara Region
• Northwestern Plateau: Shinyanga Region
• Southeastern Coast: Lindi Region
• Southern Border Region: Ruvuma Region
• Southern Coast: Mtwara Region
• Southern Highlands: Iringa Region, Mbeya Region, Njombe Region
• Southwestern Border Region: Songwe Region
• Southwestern Highlands: Rukwa Region
• Western Border Region: Kigoma Region
• Western Tanzania: Katavi Region
• Zanzibar Islands: North Pemba Region, South Pemba Region, West Zanzibar Region, Unguja South Region

Regions with Coastline

• Dar es Salaam Region
• Lindi Region
• Mtwara Region
• Pwani Region
• Tanga Region
• North Pemba Region
• South Pemba Region
• West Zanzibar Region
• Unguja South Region

Landlocked Regions

• Arusha Region
• Dodoma Region
• Geita Region
• Iringa Region
• Kagera Region
• Katavi Region
• Kigoma Region
• Kilimanjaro Region
• Manyara Region
• Mara Region
• Mbeya Region
• Morogoro Region
• Mwanza Region
• Njombe Region
• Rukwa Region
• Ruvuma Region
• Shinyanga Region
• Simiyu Region
• Singida Region
• Songwe Region
• Tabora Region

Regions Sharing an International Border

• Arusha Region - borders Kenya
• Kagera Region - borders Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi
• Kigoma Region - borders Burundi and Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Kilimanjaro Region - borders Kenya
• Mara Region - borders Kenya
• Mbeya Region - borders Zambia
• Mtwara Region - borders Mozambique
• Rukwa Region - borders Zambia
• Ruvuma Region - borders Mozambique
• Songwe Region - borders Zambia and Malawi
• Tanga Region - borders Kenya

Major Economic Activities by Region

Important Natural and Cultural Areas

• Mount Kilimanjaro: Kilimanjaro Region
• Serengeti National Park: Mara Region
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Arusha Region
• Zanzibar Stone Town: West Zanzibar Region
• Lake Tanganyika: Kigoma Region
• Ruaha National Park: Iringa Region

Sources

• National Bureau of Statistics Tanzania
• Government of Tanzania
• World Bank - Tanzania Data
• Encyclopaedia Britannica - Tanzania
• CIA World Factbook - Tanzania