Border history · 1891–2023

Tanzania borders over time

CShapes records 6 changes to the borders of Tanzania (also recorded as Tanganyika) between 1891 and 2023. It has been independent since December 9, 1961. Its territory covers 941,360 km², less than the 991,095 km² it covered in 1891. The largest single change came on June 28, 1920, when it lost about 52,326 km².

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Border changes
6
Area today
941,360 km²
Largest change
−52,326 km² (1920)
Status
Independent since 1961
April 26, 1964 – presentChoose a period to see its borders. The dashed line is the period before.

Timeline of Tanzania's borders

Each period is one border version in CShapes, with its area and the change from the period before.

  1. January 1, 1891 – October 8, 1916

    991,095 km²First recorded versionRuled by GermanyWorld map in 1891

  2. October 9, 1916 – June 27, 1919

    991,095 km²±0 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1917

  3. June 28, 1919 – June 27, 1920

    991,095 km²±0 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1919

  4. June 28, 1920 – July 19, 1922

    938,769 km²−52,326 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1920

  5. July 20, 1922 – December 8, 1961

    938,769 km²±0 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1923

  6. December 9, 1961 – April 25, 1964

    938,769 km²±0 km²IndependentWorld map in 1962

  7. April 26, 1964 – present

    941,360 km²+2,591 km²IndependentWorld map in 1964

What changed

Independence, transfers between rulers, and border changes recorded for this country.

  1. Tanzania appears as a territory of Germany.
  2. Tanzania passes from Germany to United Kingdom.
  3. Tanzania loses about 52,326 km² of territory.
  4. Tanzania becomes independent from United Kingdom.
  5. Tanzania gains about 2,591 km² of territory.