Zanzibar Islands
Zanzibar islands lies off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. It is known as a jewel of the Indian ocean, and once, a city ruled by sultans, Zanzibar has been as connected to Arabia and other regions along the Indian Ocean as it has to Africa.

Just the name, Zanzibar evokes dreams of romance and mystery and is a preferable tourist destination alive and thriving where anything can happen and it does happen. That is its biggest attraction as the reality will not disappoint the travelers who are bored with mass tourism and seeking an enlightening and enjoyable holiday experience.

The History

Zanzibar commonly known as the “The Spice Islands” has a colourful history and saga of the seafarers, explorers and traders. To its shores came Summerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Malays, Persians, Portuguese, Arabs, Dutch and the British, each leaving behind a legacy of their stay. From the island the great European explorers – Burton, Speke, Livingstone, Stanley – set off for their voyages of discovery into the vast, uncharted wilderness of the great African hinterland.

Zanzibar was famous for once being the center of East Africa and the last place to abolish slave trade. Today it combines ancient Islamic ruins, noble Arabic houses with miles of white sandy palm fringed beaches, where the azure waters of the Indian ocean beckon swimmers, divers, fishermen and watersports enthusiasts alike. Breathe in the fragrant scents of cloves, vanilla, Cardamom and nutmeg, and discover why Zanzibar is called “The Spice Islands”. Explore the forests with their rare flora and fauna or visit some of the ancient, archeological sites.

The Interesting Places to Visit in Zanzibar
Stone Town, the National Museum, Livingstone House, House of Wonders, Peoples Palace, Old Fort, Hamamni Baths, Cathedral Church of Christ, Tippu Tip House, Kizimkazi, Maruhubi and other ruins at Chuini, Dunga, Kidichi, Kizimbani and Bungi, Jozani forest reserve, Changu or Prison Island, spice plantations etc.

People, Religion & Language
Zanzibar's local people are an incredible mixture of ethnic backgrounds, indicative of her colorful history. Islam is the dominant religion, and is practiced by most Zanzibaris, although there are also followers of Christianity and Hinduism. Population is estimated at 800,000, with the largest concentration being Zanzibar City which has approximately 100,000 inhabitants. Zanzibaris speak swahili (known locally as Kiswahili), a language which is spoken extensively in East Africa. Many belive that the purest form is spoken in Zanzibar as it is the birth place of the language.

Climate
Zanzibar experiences ideal holiday weather for most of the year, with the exception of April and May which are seasonally subject to the long rains. Short rains can occur in November, but, do not last long.

The heat of summer is seasonally often cooled by windy conditions, resulting in pleasant sea breezes, particularly on the North and east coasts. Being near to the equator, the islands are warm all year round, but officially, summer and winter peak in December and June respectively. Zanzibar is blessed with and average of 7-8 hours of sunshine daily.

Wildlife
There are no large wild animals in Zanzibar, and forest areas such as Jozani are inhabited by monkeys, bush-pigs and small antelopes. Civets (and rumour has it, the elusive Zanzibar leopord!) and various species of mongoose can also be found on the island. There is a wide variety of birdlife, and a large number of butterflies in rural areas. The coral reefs that surround the east coast are rich in marine diversity, and that makes Zanzibar and ideal location for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Economy
Catch of the day fishing and agriculture are the main economic activities of the local people. Zanzibar was once the world's largest producer of cloves, and her economy was based on the large incomes thus derived. Although cloves are still a mojor foreign export along with coconut products and spices, tourism has been ear-marked as a major foreign exchange earner, with more visitors coming to Zanzibar each year hence the potential for tourism is relatively untapped. Zanzibar is dedicated to sensitive tourism that benefits both visitors and the community, without losing the romance and magic that is Zanzibar.

Government
Zanzibar is an island state within the United Republic of Tanzania, and has its own semi-autonomous government made up of a Revolutionary Council and House of Representatives. The present government is led by the island's president, Mr. Amani Abeid Karume.