Zanzibar City, Ancient port city in Unguja, Tanzania
Zanzibar City sits on the western coast of Unguja island and covers the districts of Stone Town and Ng'ambo, spreading over roughly 15 square kilometers of coastal area. The settlement divides into the old stone quarter and the newer mainland section, connected by a wide main road.
The settlement grew into an important Indian Ocean trade center in the early 1800s when Sultan Said bin Sultan moved his capital here in 1824. Over the following decades the place became the heart of the regional spice trade.
The architecture shows a mix of Swahili, Arab, Indian and Portuguese influences, especially visible in the narrow alleys and carved wooden doors of Stone Town. This building style shapes the cityscape and recalls trade connections across the Indian Ocean over many centuries.
A main road links Stone Town with Ng'ambo and leads to markets, lodgings and the international airport. Most routes in the old center can be covered on foot, while shared taxis run outside.
The climate stays around 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) all year, with two rainy seasons from March to May and from November to December. These weather patterns shape daily life and activities in the settlement.
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