Official name

United Republic of Tanzania

Form of state

Republic, formed by the 1964 union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar

Legal system

Based on English common law, the 1977 union and 1985 Zanzibar constitutions, as amended

National legislature

National Assembly, comprising 295 members (232 directly elected on the mainland; five delegates from the Zanzibar parliament; the rest appointed); Zanzibar's House of Representatives (59 members, including nine women appointees) legislates on internal matters

National elections

Mainland legislative and presidential elections were last held in October 2010; Zanzibar presidency and House of Representatives elections were last held in October 2010; next elections scheduled for October 2015

Head of state

President, elected by universal adult suffrage every five years

National government

The president, vice-president and Council of Ministers

Main political parties

Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM); Civic United Front (CUF); National Convention for Construction and Reform (NCCR-Mageuzi); United Democratic Party (UDP); Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema); Tanzania Labour Party (TLP)

President: Jakaya Kikwete

Vice-president: Mohamed Ghalib Bilal

President of Zanzibar: Ali Mohamed Shein

Prime minister: Mizengo Pinda

Key ministers

Agriculture, food security & co-operatives: Jumanne Maghembe

Community development, gender & children: Sophia Simba

Defence & national service: Hussein Mwinyi

East African co-operation affairs: Samuel Sitta

Education: Shukuru Kawambwa

Energy & mineral resources: William Ngeleja

Finance & economic affairs: Mustafa Mkulo

Foreign affairs & international co-operation: Bernard Membe

Health & social welfare: Haji Mpanda

Home affairs including public safety: Shamsi Vuai Nahodha

Industry, trade & marketing: Cyril Chami

Justice & constitutional affairs: Celina Kombani

Labour, employment & youth development: Gaudensia Kabaka

Lands, housing & human settlements development: Anna Tibaijuka

Natural resources & tourism: Ezekiel Maige

Water & irrigation: Mark Mwandosya

Central bank governor

Benno Ndulu