Tanzania is located in East Africa, with a coast along the Indian Ocean. Its history of European colonization includes rule by Germany and Britain. Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964 upon gaining independence. In 1995 the country held its first democratic elections since the 1970s, moving its capital to Dodoma. Tanzania, which includes part of Africa’s Lakes Region and Mount Kilimanjaro, is not only a diverse country, but also has a diverse population of 4.9 million people.