Dodoma (6°10′23″S 35°44′31″E / 6.17306°S 35.74194°E) is both a city and a region of the United Republic of Tanzania. The region is on the central plateau of the mainland (Tanganyika), 41,310 km² in size and has 1,698,996 inhabitants (2002 Census). The city is the official capital of Tanzania (replacing Dar es Salaam in 1974). It is situated at 1,132 m (3,713 ft) above sea level. The population is growing and certainly numbers in excess of the 350,000 people of the 2002 Census. There is an ongoing transfer of government functions to Dodoma from the colonial capital, Dar es Salaam. Dodoma is a centre of communications, linked by rail with Dar es Salaam, and Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika, and by road with Kenya to the north and Zambia and Malawi to the south. There is an airport (limited until recently but now expanding to accommodate large aircraft). Dodoma is a marketplace for agricultural produce (vegetables, fruit, especially grapes, wine and peanuts). It has a limited industrial base, which includes the manufacture of bricks. However, it is now home to the recently established St. Johns University and rapidly expanding University of Dodoma (known as UDOM). The establishment of these universities, and expanded government and support services, has resulted in a construction boom in the city, and to its diversity and vibrancy -- in contrast to the provincial feel of a few years ago. Numerous hotels and resorts have cropped up to meet the needs of travelers. Dodoma has a very good water supply system managed by DUWASA (Dodoma Urban Watersupply and Sewerage Authority). DUWASA manages its affairs in a highly professional manner, but is challenged to keep up with growth (see for example this news item), with population expected to exceed 500,000 this year. Dodoma, after all, is in a semi-arid region, limiting recharge to ground water sources and expanding infrastructure to support a population doubling is a challenge any place. At present, it is the infrastructure, especially pipe capacity) that is the most limiting. Dodoma also has rapidly improving medical services, including the Dodoma Christian Medical Centre.