Arusha, Regional capital in northern Tanzania.
Arusha extends along the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley below Mount Meru at an elevation that provides moderate temperatures year-round. The city spreads across gentle hills, combining modern neighborhoods with older residential areas where trees line the roads and small markets fill the main streets.
German colonizers built a military post here in 1900, displacing Maasai communities who had settled since 1830. After Tanganyika gained independence in 1961, the settlement grew into an important administrative center for the northern regions.
The National Natural History Museum displays artifacts from early human development inside a former German colonial office building. Local guides often gather near the entrance, waiting for clients while standing together in small groups.
The city serves as a departure point for safaris to the northern national parks, offering numerous lodging options and tour operators. Visitors should allow time to arrange permits and equipment before heading to the protected areas.
Several international organizations maintain headquarters here, including the East African Community and the African Court of the African Union. These institutions bring diplomats and professionals from across the continent into town, giving it an unusual political weight for its size.
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