tanga

Tanga is a coastal city in northeastern Tanzania and the capital of Tanga Region. It lies on the Indian Ocean near the Pangani River and is a historic port that has served as a trading center for Swahili and coastal communities as well as a colonial-era outpost. Today, Tanga functions as a regional commercial hub with fishing, maritime activities, light industry, and services supporting both coastal and inland communities.

The economy of the area is anchored by fishing and port-related activities, with agricultural products from surrounding areas contributing to trade. The city is connected to other parts of Tanzania by road and rail networks, facilitating regional commerce and access to inland markets. The Tanga Region encompasses coastal plains and near-coastal ecosystems, and it lies to the west of the Usambara Mountains, which are known for biodiversity and scenic landscapes that support tourism and rural livelihoods.

In addition to the geographic uses, the term tanga also refers to a type of clothing in fashion contexts. In Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking markets, tanga denotes a thong-style bikini bottom or underwear, characterized by minimal coverage. The word has broader usage in various languages to describe similar minimal-coverage garments and may appear in fashion descriptions and retail contexts.

Overall, tanga can refer to a major Tanzanian city and region with historical and economic significance, as well as to a category of minimal-coverage swimwear or underwear in fashion terminology. The intended meaning is usually clear from the surrounding context.