a British colony from 1920
this country became independent in 1963
following a decade of unrest
English was then made the official language
but Swahili replaced in 1974
English none then less retains an important role in the country
which had some 28 million people in 1996
Tanzania formerly Zanzibar and Tanganyika
Zanzibar became a British protectorate in 1890
and British received a mandate for Tanganyika in 1919 the fist east African country to gain independence 1961
its population was over 18 million n 1996
english was jooint official language with Swahili until 1967
then lost its status
but it remains an important medium of communication