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.

The town was founded in 1907 under German colonial rule during construction of the central Tanzanian railway. Between World War I and Tanzanian independence in 1964 it was a British Mandate provincial administrative center. In 1973, President Nyerere proposed to move the capital from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, because of its more central location and cooler climate due to its high altitude. The transfer started in 1974 and has been ongoing ever since, with the one-house Bunge (National Assembly) relocated immediately, however some government offices have remained in Dar es Salaam.

The region is culturally interesting. Tanzania has over 120 officially recognized tribes. The region is ethnically and religiously diverse due to migration and Western contact since colonial times. The region around Dodoma city is well-populated by Wagogo (Gogo people), Bantu farmers and pastoralists. To the south in Mpwapwa and Wotta districts, Wahehe and Wabena from the south occupy the highland villages. Warangi and Maasai pastoralists are also notable groups. While westerners may not distinguish among these African peoples, Tanzanian populations are highly diverse, much more so than a European nation, for example. Warangi have been in Dodoma for 1000s of years, and are thought to be responsible for the famous Kondoa rock paintings. Maasai are rather recent immigrants, coming from the north. They are Nilotic people. The Sandawe are entirely distinct from the others and may be the oldest human genetic lineage. Their genetics and language are related to Khoisan people in southern Africa, who probably emigrated from east Africa.

The Islamic (mostly Shia) and Christian faiths are well-represented in the Dodoma region. Among Christians, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Roman Catholics are widespread. Due to the influence of Catholic fathers, Dodoma is a significant wine-making region.

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