German East Africa Tanga, Tanzania

usambara st. in tanga, german east africa between 1906 , 1918

in 19th century growing interests europeans scramble africa brought germans tanga. germans bought coastal strip of mainland tanzania sultan of zanzibar in 1891. takeover designated tanga township , first establishment in german east africa. town became centre of german colonial administration before establishment of dar es salaam in 20th century. tanga chosen in 1889 military post of german east africa, , became district office in 1891. town saw rapid expansion , planned growth under german occupation. tram line developed within city facilitate domestic transport , port built facilitate exports. in 1896 construction of usambara railway began , extended moshi 1912. roads, bridges , railway facilitated industrial growth in region , many buildings , bridges still in operation today in town german colonial period. local economy based on production of sisal, had been brought colony several years earlier, , population in area grew rapidly.

as coastal town closest british east africa (kenya), tanga on front line @ outset of world war i. british landing thrown on 4 november 1914 in battle of tanga, , town not taken until 7 july 1916. after war, britain gained control of tanganyika , continued develop town , exploit agriculture potential. in 1919 tanga countries fourth largest city, @ independence second largest city after dar es salaam.