Unguja, Main island in Zanzibar Archipelago, Tanzania.
Unguja is the largest island in the Zanzibar Archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, stretching 85 kilometers from north to south. The western side faces the calm Indian Ocean with shallow tidal bays, while the eastern shore offers open beaches with stronger surf and coral reefs farther out.
Traders from Persia and Arabia founded settlements on the island from the 8th century onward, using monsoon winds to trade along the East African coast. In the 16th century the Portuguese briefly took control before Omani sultans assumed power in the 17th century and expanded spice plantations.
The name Unguja comes from Swahili and is still used by locals, while visitors often call it Zanzibar. Along many coastal areas you can see traditional dhow boats with triangular sails, used by fishermen and traders for centuries.
The international airport sits in the north near Stone Town, connecting the island with cities across East Africa. Those heading to the east coast should note the strong tides that can dramatically change the beach at different times of day.
The Jozani Forest is home to the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found nowhere else in the world. The population has recovered thanks to conservation efforts in recent decades, and the animals can often be seen in small groups in the tree canopy.
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