Dar es Salaam is the largest city in Tanzania. It is Tanzania's most important city for both business and government, the country's richest and a regionally important economic centre.
The Dar es Salaam Region had a population of 2,497,940 as of the official 2002 census. Though Dar es Salaam lost its official status as capital city to Dodoma in 1974, it remains the centre of the permanent central government bureaucracy and continues to serve as the capital for the surrounding Dar es Salaam Region.

Being situated so close to the equator and the warm Indian ocean, the city experiences generally tropical climatic conditions, typified by hot and humid weather throughout much of the year.

It is a busy town, with a natural harbour sheltered form the Indian ocean by a narrow channel. Dar es Salaam has a rich history of many cultures.
During the daytime the heavy weight of traffic, office workers, busy merchants, street vendors and restaurateurs of the area lend it a frenetic and slightly claustrophobic air. However, after nightfall the area is relatively quiet as much of the city's nightlife is located in more residential districts away from the city's mainly commercial centre.
It is a busy town, with a natural harbour sheltered form the Indian ocean by a narrow channel. Dar es Salaam has a rich history of many cultures.