East Africa
East African Federation Shirikisho la Afrika Mashariki (Swahili) | |
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 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Motto: "Watu Mmoja, Hatima Moja" "One People, One Destiny" | |
| Anthem: Wimbo wa Jumuiya Afrika Mashariki | |
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| Capital | Arusha |
| Largest city | Dar es Salaam |
| Official languages | |
| Religion (2023) |
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| Demonym(s) | East African |
| Government | Federal parliamentary republic |
| Samia Suluhu Hassan | |
| William Ruto | |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| Senate | |
| Federal Assembly | |
| Independence from the United Kingdom | |
| 1 January 1964 | |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,768,708 km2 (682,902 sq mi) (18th) |
• Water (%) | 24.09 |
| Population | |
• Estimate | 161,899,072 (9th) |
• Density | 91/km2 (235.7/sq mi) (127th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $1.423 trillion (28th) |
• Per capita | $8,793 (127th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $583.196 billion (25th) |
• Per capita | $3,602 (130th) |
| Gini (2023) |  40.4medium |
| HDI (2023) |  0.561medium (157th) |
| Currency | East African shilling (EAS) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +254 |
| Internet TLD | .eas |
East Africa, officially the East African Federation, (Swahili: Shirikisho la Afrika Mashariki) is a country situated in Eastern Africa. Formed in 1961 as a federation consisting of the states of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, with an area of 1,768,708 km2, East Africa is the fourth-biggest country on the African continent while its population of roughly 161 million people makes it the continent's second-most populous country behind Nigeria.
Formed in 1961 by the Treaty of Arusha, East Africa came into being as a federation of three British colonial states: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Originally a British dominion following its independence, East Africa later became a republic in 1981 and has since operated as a presidential republic. During its first few decades, the country initially operated under a market socialist economy and maintained warm ties with the Soviet Union. However, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 saw East Africa transition away to capitalism and in favour of stronger relations with Western nations, namely the United States and the United Kingdom. As a parliamentary republic, the country is led by a president, a head of state directly elected every five years, while the prime minister serves as the head of government.
A founding member of the African Union, East Africa is also a member of various other organisations including the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, and the World Trade Organization. Owing to its relatively large economy, size, and population, East Africa is considered to be a regional power on the African continent. With a nominal GDP of roughly $583 billion, it is the largest economy on the African continent.