Zanzibar Archipelago, Island group off East Africa, Tanzania
The archipelago sits in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania and consists of three main inhabited islands: Unguja, Pemba, and Mafia. Each island has its own topography, from coral reefs and white sand beaches to forested hills inland.
As early as the eighth century, traders from Arabia and Persia settled on the islands and established trading posts for spices, ivory, and other goods. In the 19th century, the archipelago became a center for spice cultivation, particularly cloves and nutmeg.
On local markets and in narrow streets you hear a mix of Swahili, Arabic and other languages, while fishermen steer their wooden boats with triangular sails along the coast. Women often wear colorful kanga cloths, and the call to prayer echoes several times a day from mosques across the islands.
The islands are reached by ferries from the mainland, with the port of Zanzibar City on Unguja being the main arrival point. Travelers should allow enough time, as ferries can depend on weather and tides.
On Latham Island, an uninhabited coral formation within the archipelago, numerous seabird species breed in a protected environment. The tiny island is not accessible to visitors and remains a pure nature reserve for birdlife.
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