Tanzania is the African country formed from the former mainland territory of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
Tanganyika became independent from Britain on 9 December 1961. Zanzibar became independent in December 1963, and the two governments united on 26 April 1964. The new state was initially called the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar before adopting the name Tanzania later in 1964.
The union explains why Tanzania includes both a large mainland area and the Zanzibar archipelago. Dar es Salaam served as the main capital for decades, while Dodoma was designated the national capital in 1974 and remains the official capital. Zanzibar retains a separate revolutionary government within the union.