ZANZIBAR  FACTS

Zanzibar is a tropical archipelago located at the western side of the Indian Ocean, about 25-50  kilometers off  the coastline of East Africa. This small collection of  coral islands lies between the 5 and 6 degree south of equator. Zanzibar is made up of two large islands surrounded by a host of about 50 islets. The main island, Unguja, is separated from mainland Tanzania by a shallow  Zanzibar channel. It is located about 72 kilometers away from the coastal Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, and about 217 kilometers away from  Mombasa on the Kenyan coast. The capital of Unguja is Zanzibar City with its old part called Stone Town, a UNESCO heritage site. Pemba, second biggest island of the archipelago, has three major towns: Wete, Chakechake and Mkoani.

Zanzibar is blessed with lush, tropical greenery, pristine, white, sandy beaches, washed with the gentle and warm waters of the Indian Ocean in all shades of blue and turquoise, hiding some of the world’s best coral reefs. These natural treasures combined with unique history, rich culture, great climate and most beautiful people make Zanzibar one of the holiday destinations you will want to revisit all over again.

Summary

Archipelago: Zanzibar island (Unguja), Pemba Island and surrounding islands.

Location: About 40 km off the coast of East Africa, in the Indian Ocean, about 6 degrees south of equator.

Size: Unguja is 1,660km², Pemba is 985km²

Climate: Wet season mid-March to end of May, short rains in November, rest of year generally dry. Average temperature ranging between 24°C -30°C.

Status: Semi- autonomous state within United Republic of Tanzania, governed by Revolutionary  Council and House of Representatives.

Residents: Zanzibaris

Population:1.304 million (whole archipelago)

Main Town: Zanzibar Town (combined  Old Stone town with New Town)

Economy: Fishing, agriculture, tourism.

Language: Swahili (official),English, Arabic

Religion: Islam (98%), Christianity, Hinduism.

Currency: Tanzanian shilling (Tsh)

International telephone code: +255

Time zone: GMT +3

Electrical voltage: 220-240 v  AC  50Hz; 3 pins round or square ’British-style’ plugs

Weights and measures: Metric

Stone Town: UNESCO Heritage site (unique maze of buildings made of coral reef stones, lime and clay)