Arusha and Dar es Salaam
Arusha is a city in northern Tanzania. It is the capital of the Arusha Region, which claims a population of 1.3 million. Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, it has a mild climate and is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as having its own Arusha National Park on Mount Meru. The temperature ranges between 13 and 30 degrees Celsius with an average around 25 degrees. It has distinct wet and dry seasons. The primary industry of the region is agriculture, with large vegetable and flower producers sending high-quality produce to Europe. The region around Arusha is the sole source of a gem-quality mineral called Tanzanite. Tourism is also a major contributor to the economy in Arusha, being the second largest contributor of income in Tanzania. Arusha has become a popular staging point for tourists visiting Tanzania and East Africa for photo safaris and hiking treks to Mt. Kilimanjaro. Arusha is mostly served by Kilimanjaro International Airport for international travellers, some 60 kilometres (37 mi) east.
Dar es Salaam, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. It has a population of about 3 Million. The city is situated on a massive natural harbour on the Eastern Indian Ocean coast of Africa, with sandy beaches in some areas. Being situated so close to the equator and the warm Indian ocean, the city experiences generally tropical climatic conditions, typified by hot and humid weather throughout much of the year. Dar es Salaam features a tropical wet and dry climate, with two different rainy seasons. The Julius Nyerere International Airport is the principal airport serving the country, named after the country's first President. The city now offers a rich and internationalized diversity of cuisine. People who prefer either fast food nor traditional restaurants buy their food from street vendors, who usually sell good food for very affordable prices. Dar es Salaam is one of the safest large cities in East Africa. Although pick pocketers frequent the City Centre and Dala Dalas and prey especially on foreigners, there are rarely reports of violent crimes. A short flight across the Indian Ocean is the popular "Spice Island" of Zanzibar - famous for the wonderful beach resorts, and south of the city are other paradise and smaller islands, like the Mafia Island, ideal for a small beach resort holiday.
