Originating along the coast, Kiswahili is a Bantu language with many words derived from Arabic. Other African languages such as Bantu and those of Nilo-Hamitic and Khoisan origin are also spoken. Plugs may be round or square 3-pin, fused or unfused. In rural areas, international calls must go through the operator. There are many public call boxes in post offices and main towns.
Coverage is limited to main urban areas.
E-mail can be accessed in cybercaf s in main urban areas. Telegrams can be sent from the post office. Airmail to Europe takes five days. The English-language newspapers are the Daily News, Sunday News, Business Times, The Express, Family Mirror and Guardian , printed in Dar es Salaam. From time to time these change.