Tanzania has 31 regions (mikoa in Swahili), which are the country's primary administrative divisions. Tanzania does not use "states" or "provinces" in the way federal countries do; instead, the United Republic of Tanzania is a unitary state organised into these 31 regions, which are then subdivided into districts, wards, and villages for the purposes of local government and service delivery.
Why Tanzania Has Regions, Not States
Although the word "state" is often used in searches, Tanzania is not a federation. It is a unitary republic in which the central government in Dodoma holds ultimate authority and delegates administration downward through regions. Each region is overseen by a Regional Commissioner appointed by the President, supported by a Regional Administrative Secretary. The number of regions has grown over the decades as larger units were split to bring government closer to citizens, rising from around 20 in the late 20th century to the current total of 31. The most recent additions came in 2012, when regions such as Geita, Katavi, Njombe, and Simiyu were carved out, and in 2016, when Songwe was created from part of Mbeya.
The Complete List of All 31 Regions
Here are all 31 regions of Tanzania, including those on the mainland and the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba:
- Arusha
- Dar es Salaam
- Dodoma
- Geita
- Iringa
- Kagera
- Katavi
- Kigoma
- Kilimanjaro
- Lindi
- Manyara
- Mara
- Mbeya
- Mjini Magharibi (Zanzibar Urban/West)
- Morogoro
- Mtwara
- Mwanza
- Njombe
- Pemba North (Kaskazini Pemba)
- Pemba South (Kusini Pemba)
- Pwani (Coast)
- Rukwa
- Ruvuma
- Shinyanga
- Simiyu
- Singida
- Songwe
- Tabora
- Tanga
- Unguja North (Kaskazini Unguja)
- Unguja South (Kusini Unguja)
Largest and Most Populated Regions
The regions vary enormously in size and population. By land area, Tabora in the west-central interior is among the largest regions, covering a vast expanse of woodland and savanna. By population, Dar es Salaam is by far the most populous and most densely settled region, home to several million people despite being one of the smallest in physical size. Dar es Salaam remains the nation's largest city and commercial heart, even though the official capital is Dodoma, which sits in the geographic centre of the country. At the other extreme, the five small island regions of Zanzibar and Pemba pack dense populations into tiny areas, reflecting their long history as a trading and spice-producing archipelago.
Zanzibar's Special Status
Five of the 31 regions belong to the Zanzibar archipelago: Mjini Magharibi, Unguja North, Unguja South, Pemba North, and Pemba South. Zanzibar is semi-autonomous and has its own President, House of Representatives, and government departments, a legacy of the 1964 union between Tanganyika and the People's Republic of Zanzibar that created modern Tanzania. While the mainland regions answer to the union government, Zanzibar's regions operate under the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar for many local matters, making the islands a distinctive part of the national administrative map.
How the Regions Are Subdivided
Each of the 31 regions is divided into districts, of which Tanzania has well over 100. Districts are further broken into divisions, then wards (kata), and finally villages or, in towns, streets (mitaa). This layered structure allows the government to organise everything from primary schools and health clinics to local elections and tax collection. Many region names come from indigenous languages, prominent towns, lakes, or geographic features, such as Kilimanjaro, named after Africa's highest mountain, and Pwani, the Swahili word for "coast." If you enjoy testing your knowledge of countries and their divisions, you can explore more through our geography games. For broader context on the country's geography, history, and culture, see our tanzania country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tanzania have states or provinces?
No. Tanzania is a unitary republic and uses regions (mikoa) rather than states or provinces. There are 31 regions, each headed by a presidentially appointed Regional Commissioner.
What is the capital region of Tanzania?
The official capital is Dodoma, located in Dodoma Region in the centre of the country. Dar es Salaam, however, remains the largest city, the main port, and the country's economic centre.
How many of Tanzania's regions are in Zanzibar?
Five regions make up the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago: three on Unguja (Mjini Magharibi, Unguja North, and Unguja South) and two on Pemba (Pemba North and Pemba South).
When were Tanzania's newest regions created?
Several regions, including Geita, Katavi, Njombe, and Simiyu, were established in 2012, and Songwe was created in 2016, bringing the total to 31.
