Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
The origin of Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is a volcanic mountain found in the Northern part of Tanzania. It is the highest free standing mountain in the world. It has three peaks that vary in age and heights; Shira, Mawenzi and Kibo. Kibo is the youngest and highest point of the mountain standing at 5, 895 meters above see level. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa known as well as the roof of the continent.
Cultural Significance
The people living on the slopes of the mountain are known as Chagga; these people having living in the southern part of mountain for centuries now. The Chagga have always been with the mountain all that time, and it is lots of cultural significance. John Mbiti, an African theologian and philosopher, argues that Africans are notorious religious.
The Chagga being Africans have used the mountain as area for offering their prayers, carrying out their rituals to re-unite with their ancestors. Therefore, mount Kilimanjaro has always been of great importance to the local population and now to the whole world.
Touristic attraction
Mount Kilimanjaro is fascinating phenomenon that attracts tourists from both within Africa and from across continents. For Africa, it attracts Africans to visit the roof top of the continent, and for those from other parts of the world are attracted by this highest free standing mountain in the world.
Those who climb the mountain are fascinated by the different types of vegetation found in this mountain found in the tropical. On the mountain, given its heights there are all different types of weather and thus different vegetations according to the weathers.
Services to the tourists
Mount Kilimanjaro is a natural phenomenon as said already. It is a touristic attractive site that the surrounding environment needs to be preserved. Having that in mind the Tanzanian government in 1973 made the mount a National Park; therefore, it is known as Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. In the national park there are animals of different types that are found in the park.
Thus, apart from climbing the mountain, tourists may also go for a Kilimanjaro Safari where a number of animals can be seen. Under the foot of the mountain there are different services that tourists may get from the different tourists companies that give services to people who want to climb the mountain. Some of the companies best for services and guidelines for climbing the mountain include: Climbing Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Expeditions, Summit Expeditions, Zara Tour, XPATS International Travel, Team Kilimanjaro and Thomson Safaris.
Economic benefits to the local community
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania attracts revenues through tourists and the income goes to the government but also to individuals working in the sector. There are several job opportunities that are created thanks to the presence of the mountain. Youth find opportunities as porters, guides, cooks, drivers and several other economic activities. And more income in the national park comes through other services such as accommodation, park entrance fees, and other services to visitors.
The economic activities in the sector produce some income that contributes to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and to individual income. The income is used for the improvement of the people’s living standards such as roads renovation, health facilities and community programs.
Preservation Program
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has named Kilimanjaro as a world heritage. Being named as such demands for some serious work. The Tanzanian government named Mount Kilimanjaro as a national park. Being a national park means some work is being done to preserve its natural beauty.
In the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park there are natural beauties that need to be preserved for Keeping in good shape the mountain. Mount Kilimanjaro is an important source of income to the country but also a natural world heritage that deserves good care.
Take away
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest free standing mountain in the world and the highest point in Africa. The mountain is found in East Africa and specifically in Tanzania. The people in the region and in the country, in general, are friendly and welcoming to all who visit the region. There are both local and international companies that guide tourists who would like to climb the mount.
You are welcome at any time of the year when you wish to explore the roof of Africa. Apart from climbing the mountain, there is also the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park that you may tour. Therefore, when you want to climb the mountain, you may wish to go for a Safari tour to the park too.
Conclusion on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
It is my hope the article has shade some lights on the subject. I do not claim to have given all the information about this fascinating mountain found in East Africa which is also regarded as the cradle of humanity.
We have seen that the mountain has important significance to the local population but also to the international community. It is named by UNESCO, just as Notre Dame in Paris, as a heritage to humanity, and thus it is necessary to take good care of the mountain so that future generations may also come to learn from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is a natural fascinating phenomenon in the world. Being an extraordinary feature in the world, obviously it attracts a lot of questions such as its origin, its death, and much more of that nature. Here are some of the questions that are captured on google queries:
- Does the Mount kilimanjaro in Tanzania wikipedia give all the historical details?
- Where can one find the best Mount kilimanjaro in Tanzania map?
- Mount Kilimanjaro country?
- Is Kilimanjaro evil?
- How are the Mount kilimanjaro in Tanzania facts useful for tourism in the world?
- What Mount kilimanjaro in Tanzania history ?
- How long does it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to the roof of Africa?
- When was the Mount Kilimanjaro deaths?
8 thoughts on “The Cultural and Economic Significance of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania”