GEOGRAPHY

Zanzibar, a small archipelago that includes the islands of Unguja and Pemba, is located 39 degrees east of the prime meridian and 6 degrees south of the equator on the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa. Zanzibar, in 1964, joined with mainland Tanganyika to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Zanzibar attracts many tourists because of its natural beauty, rich history, and its pristine beaches. Stone Town, located on the island of Unguja, has been designated a World Heritage site. It boasts a wonderful Arab and Swahili ambiance and is popular with tourists because of its narrow alleys and beautiful coral stone buildings. Zanzibar also boasts an abundance of wildlife both on land and sea, such as giant sea turtles, dolphins, and rare red colubus monkeys, which can only be found in Zanzibar.
 

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HISTORY

Zanzibar's history is extraordinary. For 3,500 years, Egyptian, Chinese, Roman, Greek, Persian, Indian, and Arabian traders and explorers stopped at Zanzibar on their voyages. The first settlers of Zanzibar, known as the Bantu, made their way from the mainland of the African continent in or about the 4th century A.D. Starting in about the 12th century, the Persian, Indian and Arabian empires began to have influence on the island, utilizing Zanzibar as a trading post and jump-off point for other Eastern African exploration and adventure. The Omani Arabs took a particular interest in Zanzibar, heavily utilizing the island and giving them greater influence in the region. In 1503, Portuguese settlers took over the island, and established the first European rule of Zanzibar. The island remained under Portuguese rule for over a century and a half, until the Omanis reclaimed it in 1698.

In 1840 the Omani Sultan Sayyid Said (“Said the Great”) moved the seat of his Sultanate from Muscat, Oman to Zanzibar. This important step by the Omani Sultan is evidence of Zanzibar’s importance to the empire. Zanzibar remained the capital of the Sultanate of Oman until the death of Said in 1856. The island continued to flourish, becoming the world's largest exporter of cloves and an entrepot for the slave trade. By the mid-19th century, a reported 25,000 African slaves passed through Zanzibar every year. One slave trader, the infamous Tipu Tib, amassed a considerable fortune, enough to support 30 concubines, an official wife, and their children. The slave trade was officially abolished in Zanzibar in 1873 although a clandestine trade continued for some years after that.

Zanzibar eventually became subject to British rule, formally becoming a British protectorate in 1890. The British had been steadily working to put an end to the slave trade and this eventually led to its domestic abolition, including the freeing of all Zanzibari slaves, in 1897.

In 1963, the British relinquished their interests in Zanzibar, creating a constitutional monarchy under the Sultan. In 1964, a violent revolution lead to the overthrow of the Sultan, and later the same year, Zanzibar merged with the mainland state of Tanganyika to form modern day Tanzania.
 

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PEOPLE

The almost one million people that reside in Zanzibar are from diverse origins. Many Zanzibaris can trace their heritage to African, Persian, Arab, Indian, Indian Ocean Island, and European origins. This combination of people gave birth to the Swahili language, which is the official language of Zanzibar and now one of the 12 great languages of the world. It is spoken throughout East and Central Africa and most East Africans agree that Zanzibaris speak the best and the purest Swahili. English is also widely spoken on the island and many Zanzibaris are familiar with Arabic. The word “Zanzibar” is derived from two Arabic words, Zinj, meaning “black” and al-Bar, meaning “land of..“ “Zanzibar”thus means “the land of the blacks.” An overwhelming majority of the population is Muslim.
 

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GOVERNMENT

Zanzibar is a multi-party democracy and held its first elections in 1995. Zanzibar has its own president, court system, parliament and local regulation. While Zanzibar is an autonomous state, it is part of the United Republic of Tanzania and maintains an integrated relationship with the government of mainland Tanzania

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ECONOMY

From a historical perspective, a great deal of the Zanzibar economy is based on trade. However, Zanzibar has become more and more dependent on agriculture in recent times. Zanzibar is now the world’s largest exporter of cloves, and also produces many other spices, justifying its nickname as the “Spice Island”.

In recent years, Zanzibar has begun to realize its real potential as a tourist destination. A diverse history, beautiful scenery, and gorgeous beaches have made it a prime location for a burgeoning tourist industry. On a yearly basis, some 100,000 tourists visit Zanzibar. The increase in investment in the tourism sector has become quite evident, as large-scale resorts have begun to spring up throughout the archipelago, and people from all backgrounds can now comfortably enjoy the wonderful experiences that Zanzibar has to offer.
 

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CLIMATE

Given its proximity to the equator, Zanzibar enjoys a tropical climate. The average rainfall is 65 inches. Average temperature from December to March is 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Between April and May, and between September and November, temperatures average in the high seventies. The time between November to March is the season of the short rains. These rains last around thirty minutes per day and it can be quite humid. The time between April to June brings the long rains, known in Swahili as “mwaka”, and monsoons. Rains in this season can last for many days.
 

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SOURCES AND REFERENCES

Zanzibar Tourism Official Portal
Geography and Map of Tanzania
Travel.State.gov - Tanzania (Including Zanzibar)
Wikipedia
Independent Travel Guide to Zanzibar
 

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