Our nation

To be able to analyses the components that make up our nation.

For any nation to be recognized as a nation it must have the following components:

1. Sovereignty
2. People
3. Culture
4. Boundaries
5. Government

Sovereignty refers to the supreme power exercised by a nation to control all individuals and associations within its territory.

Sovereignty can also be defined as the highest power which belongs to the people. National sovereignty means that a nation is free to decide and implement its decisions without being interfered with by any external forces from other nations. A nation should be able to run its political, economic and social matters independently.

Importance of national sovereignty

1. National sovereignty is important because it maintains good relations with other nations through promoting good foreign policies on matters concerning other nations.
2. It helps maintain peace and security of a nation through execution of national laws, rules and regulations to prevent civil wars and conflicts with other nations.
3. It brings about national stability and encourages investors to invest in a country because a national is free to establish policies that will encourage local and foreign investors to invest in the country.
4. Citizens are free from being dominated by other nations because of non-interference in the control of the nation by other countries.

Hindrances to national sovereignty

1. Poverty. This is the inability to afford basic needs like food, shelter and clothing which is the main problem faced in many African countries whereby most are economically poor. This results in African countries depending on developed countries for help through grants and aid which create conditions that violate the sovereignty of some African countries.
2. Civil wars. The fighting between ethnic groups within the same nation can affect the freedom of the nation because when the nation fails to maintain peace and security within the nation, United Nations will intervene to protect human rights.
3. Natural hazards. Disasters such as floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions undermine the economies of poor countries which in turn hinders national sovereignty since the government cannot depend on its own capabilities and needs task for assistance from other countries through aid.

Population refers to the total number of people living in a particular defined area.

1. Tanzania's population:

   • More than 80% of Tanzania's population lives in rural areas.
   • The mainland of Tanzania is home to over 125 ethnic groups.
   • The most widely spoken language is Kiswahili, and the largest population group is Bantu, who occupy approximately two-thirds of the country and are divided into many tribes.

2. Within the population:

   • The population includes leaders, citizens, and the army, which plays a crucial role in protecting the country and contributing to the development of a strong nation.

National boundaries are the dividing lines between the area belonging to Tanzania and the neighboring countries.

1. Formation of Tanzania: Tanzania was formed on 26th April 1964, when Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to form the current country.

2. Geographical boundaries: Tanzania covers a total area of 945,202 square kilometers. The natural boundaries of Tanzania include:

   • Indian Ocean to the East
   • Mount Kilimanjaro to the North
   • Ruvuma River to the South
   • Lake Nyasa to the Southwest
   • Lake Victoria to the North
   • Lake Tanganyika to the West

3. Tanzania's borders with other countries: Tanzania shares its borders with eight nations:

   • Kenya and Uganda to the North
   • Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the West
   • Mozambique to the South
   • Malawi and Zambia to the Southwest
   • The Indian Ocean borders Tanzania to the East, and the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba lie along the coast of Tanzania Mainland.

The government is an administrative organ of the state. It consists of elected and selected groups of people who are responsible for controlling and maintaining the laws and orders of a country.

The state has three organs which assist each other in fulfilling its functions. These organs are:

1. The Executive. The Executive is the main branch of the central government and comprises of the president, the cabinet, civil servants and armed forces. The Executive is responsible for administering various activities of the government.
2. Judiciary. This organ functions to interpret the laws and make rulings over disputes in the state.
3. Legislature is the law making body of the state. It is the state organ whose members are elected to represent different constituencies. Some of them are appointed. Legislature is also called parliament and is comprised of the President and the National Assembly. The President is part of the parliament but not a member of the parliament.

Refers to the customs and beliefs of a particular group of people. It also includes the people's way of life and social organization.