Zanzibar is part of the East African republic of Tanzania. It consists of the Zanzibar Islands in the Indian Ocean, 25-50km (15-30mi) off the coast off the mainland.

There are several small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, informally referred to as “Zanzibar Island”), and Pemba Island. Zanzibar was once a separate state with a long trading history within the Arab world; it united with Tanganyika to form Tanzania in 1964, and still enjoys a high degree of autonomy within the union. The capital of Zanzibar, located on the island of Unguja, is Zanzibar City, and its old quarter, known as Stone Town, is a World Heritage Site.

Zanzibar’s main industries are spices, raffia, and tourism. It is still sometimes referred to as the Spice Islands (a term also associated with the Maluku Islands in Indonesia), because of the significance of its production of cloves, of which it used to be the world leader, and also nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper. Your visit to Zanzibar should definitely not miss the aroma of the Spice Island.

The ecology is of note for being the home of the prevalent Zanzibar Red Colobus and the subtle Zanzibar Leopard. The word “Zanzibar” probably derives from the Persian, Zangi-bar (“coast of the blacks”); ultimately from the Arabic words of the same meaning, however it is known in Arabic as Zanji-bar.

The island of Pemba known as ‘Al Jazeera Al Khadra’ (the green island, in Arabic) is an island forming part of the Zanzibar island, lying off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. It is situated about 50 kilometres to the north of the island of Zanzibar. In the 1960s Zanzibar was united with the former colony of Tanganyika to form Tanzania. It lies 50 kilometres east of mainland Tanzania. Together with Mafia Island (south of Zanzibar), they form the Spice Islands (not to be confused with Maluku Islands of Indonesia).

In 1988, the estimated population was 265,000, with an area of 980kmsq. Most of the island, which is hillier and more fertile than Zanzibar, is dominated by small scale farming. There is large scale farming of cash crops such as cloves – there are over 3 million clove trees.

The most important towns in Pemba are Chake-Chake (the capital), Mkoani, and Wete. Pemba is with the exception of a strip along the east coastal area a very fertile place; beside clove trees the locals grow mostly rice, coconut, bananas, cassava and red beans called maharagwe in Kiswahili.

Pemba is also becoming a well-known Zanzibar holiday spot for its dive sites, with vertiginous drop-offs, unspoiled coral and very profuse marine life. Great place to visit!

A Zanzibar holiday is a wonderful way to unwind and reconnect with nature. Zanzibar is one of the most popular getaways for tourists, across the globe, with the desire to be close to nature and enjoy a holiday in Africa in its full glory. The archipelago is located on the coast of Tanzania, the erstwhile trading hub of East Africa.

The holiday water sports guide features exotic paradisiacal shores, rugged coral and limestone scarps form a sheltered backdrop to tranquil, caster sugar beaches that slope gently down into crystal clear waters, abundant with marine life. Tall coconut palms and stalking Pandanus cast their wondering shadows over the white sands and swaying hammocks.

Our Zanzibar site-seeing guide features the most prestigious of excursions in both islands. A visit to the ruins and old buildings is a voyage of discovery through time. The journey can take one from Stone Town’s narrow streets of Zanzibar and coral-rag walls – clad with rank lichens and sun-faded plaster, to tended gardens and lily-ponds; overlooked by towering pillars who stand like sentinels of the past, guarding the hidden tombs of time gone by. The islands’ tradition and culture, natural reserves, even people’s hospitality is also among our holiday attractions.

If you don’t know how to plan your Zanzibar holiday then you should have a look at our Zanzibar holiday packages to guide you through.

Fetch vital info about the topic of niche ideas – make sure to study the web site. The times have come when concise info is really within your reach, use this chance.