Zanzibar << ZAN zuh bahr >> is a group of islands that is part of Tanzania. The islands lie in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) off the east coast of the African mainland. The two main islands are Zanzibar Island (known locally as Unguja) and Pemba Island. The capital and largest city of the island group is the city of Zanzibar, on the west coast of Zanzibar Island. The region of Zanzibar has its own president and legislature and exercises some control over its own affairs.
The islands have a tropical climate with an average temperature of about 80 °F (27 °C). Heavy rains fall from March to May, and there is lighter rain from October to December. The rest of the year is mostly dry.
Most Zanzibaris have African ancestry. Arabs and Indians are the largest minority groups. Many residents have mixed African and Arab ancestry. Swahili (also called Kiswahili) is the main language. Nearly all Zanzibaris are Muslims.
Zanzibar has long been a major trading center. Agriculture and fishing are important to the local economy. The islands are often called the “spice isles” because they are among the world’s largest producers of cloves. Zanzibaris also grow bananas, cassava, coconuts, limes, mangoes, pineapples, plantains, rice, tangerines, and other fruits and vegetables. Since the 1990’s, tourism has been a significant economic activity.
Zanzibar was part of an ancient network that linked traders from eastern and central Africa with those from Arabia and the Red Sea and Indian Ocean regions. This network existed as early as the A.D. 100’s and extended along much of the east African coast. In the 1800’s, Zanzibar became the center of a trade in slaves and ivory from eastern Africa. The slaves were sold mainly in the Caribbean, Brazil, Indian Ocean islands, and Arabia. In the 1830’s, the sultan of Oman moved his capital to the town of Zanzibar. Afterward, many people from Oman, Yemen, and India immigrated to the islands. The United Kingdom made the islands a British protectorate in 1890. In 1963, Zanzibar gained independence from the British. In 1964, it merged with Tanganyika, on the African mainland, to form the nation of Tanzania.
