Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, and several islets. It is located in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast, and 6° south of the equator. Zanzibar Island (known locally as Unguja, but as Zanzibar internationally) is 60 miles long and 20 miles wide, occupying a total area of approximately 650 square miles. It is characterised by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs, and the magic of historic Stone Town - said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa.
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 leopard! 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 make Zanzibar an ideal location for snorkelling and scuba diving.
People, Religion and Language
Zanzibar's local people are an incredible mixture of ethnic backgrounds, indicative of her colourful history. Islam is the dominant religion, and 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 believe that the purest form is spoken in Zanzibar as it is the birth place of the language.
Culture and Festivals
Zanzibar's most famous event is the Zanzibar International Film Festival, also known as the Festival of the Dhow Countries. Every July, this event showcases the best of the Swahili Coast arts scene, including Zanzibar's favourite music, Taarab.
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, Amani Karume. The government body responsible for tourism promotion is the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism.
Economy
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 large incomes thus derived. Although cloves are still a major export along with coconut products and spices, tourism has been ear-marked as the primary foreign exchange earner, with more visitors coming to Zanzibar each year. At this stage, the numbers are still low (less than 100,000 annually) and the potential for tourism is relatively untapped. Zanzibar's tourism private sector is represented by the Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors (ZATI).
Islands in the Sun
Whilst most visitors to the Zanzibar archipelago visit Unguja, commonly known as Zanzibar Island, fewer take advantage of the fact that this is an archipelago, with several other islands and numerous islets.
Only a few kilometres from Stone Town are several islets such as Chumbe and Chapwani, where good accommodation is available. Bawe and Prison Islands are good for daytrips with excellent snorkelling available. Tumbatu Island, off the north-west coast of Unguja is one of the largest off-shore islands but has no facilities for tourists. Mnemba Island is located near the north-east coast featuring luxury accommodation. Although Mnemba is a private island, it is surrounded by a rich coral reef, which is great for scuba diving and snorkelling and is visited by several watersports centres in the area.
Pemba is Zanzibar's sister island. Despite many years of isolation from the outside world, Pemba is receiving a small but growing number of foreign visitors. The infrastructure much less than on Unguja, and there are far fewer tourists, but this is seen as a plus by many! Beautiful beaches, natural forests and outstanding diving are just some of the attractions on offer. Misali island, off Pemba's east coast, is idyllic and excellent for diving.
Mafia, another island in the sun and no relative of the mob, is actually governed by mainland Tanzania but is not far from the Zanzibar archipelago.
Paradise Beaches
Zanzibar's brilliant white beaches lapped by the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean provide the perfect place to relax, soak up the sun and take a break from some busy sightseeing.
The beaches in Zanzibar are a paradise, interspersed with picturesque fishing villages, where the people live a simple way of life, unchanged over the years. There are more than 25 fantastic beaches in Zanzibar, and some are so peaceful and remote that the only noise breaking the silence is likely to be the ocean.
At the northern tip of the island is Nungwi, approached by a road lined by banana palms, mangroves and coconut trees. This is the dhow building capital of Zanzibar island, so it is a good place to see traditional craftsmen at work. A short walk from Nungwi is the Ras Nungwi Beach Hotel, an eco-tourism oriented resort with an unspoilt beach, and peace and relaxation on tap! It also offers a variety of watersports and a fully equipped dive centre which specialises in trips to the spectacular Mnemba Atoll.
On the west coast of Zanzibar, Mangapwani beach is worth a visit, and to the east are the beaches of Matemwe, Pwani Mchangani, Kiwengwa, Uroa, Bwejuu and Jambiani, all with stretches of beautiful and uncrowded sands. The Shooting Star Inn is a small family-run hotel at Kiwengwa.
Zanzibar also boasts several small offshore islands which are ideal for a day-trip. Prison (or Changu) island is the most popular with tourists because it is only a short trip from Stone Town. Originally, it was used by Arabs to detain recalcitrant slaves, and then a jail was built by the British, but it was never actually used. Visitors to Zanzibar will notice a large population of ancient Aldabra tortoises. Other islets near to Stone Town are Chapwani, Chumbe and Bawe.
THE "STONE TOWN" OF ZANZIBAR
(MJI MKONGWE)
The "Stone Town" is built on a triangular peninsula of land and consists predominantly of arab architecture, with a blend Indian and European architecture.
The most impressive architectural structures are the large arab houses usually two to three storeys high, generally quadrangular in plan, having a central courtyard and a flat roof, surmounted by a low crenellated parapet.
At the turn of the century the flat roofs where covered with hipped roofs of corrugated iron sheets. The gap formed between the two roofs provided the building with an insulation against the mid-day heat.
The buildings have evenly spaced windows with an elaborately carved door, decorated with massive brass bosses.
Towards the nineteenth century, European influences such as balconies, loggias and verandas appeared on the buildings .
Another feature common to many houses is a "Baraza". This is a low stone bench built along the walls of houses facing narrow streets, and serves as an important social foci for the old Zanzibari folk and in particular the men. 
They sit on these barazas and have discussions on the day to day events of the islands, and the world around them (many Zanzibaris are interested in Politics! Don't be suprised if they know more about whats going on in your part of the world than you do!).
The barazas also serve as raised sidewalks when the streets get flooded after heavy rains. (The existing drainage system in the Stown Town cannot handle the heavy Masika rains.)
The most visible element of Zanzibar's cultural heritage is represented in some of the outstanding architectural and historical landmarks of the Stone Town.
These include the Portuguese Fort (also known as "Old fort"), the House of Wonders (Beit-el-ajaib), the Palace Museum (formerly known as the Sultan's Palace), the Ithnaasheri Dispensary, Balnara Mosque, Bharmal building, the High Court, the Peace Memorial Museum, the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the Anglican Cathedral....quite a few isn't it!
The High Court, the Peace Memorial Museum, Bharmal Building and Stone Town's unique market, reflect British Colonial taste blended with Arabic architecture.
The intricately carved balconies of the Ithnaasheri dispensary reflect Colonial India's architecture while the Roman Catholic Cathedral reflects European Architecture.
The Anglican Cathedral has a combination of elements of Gothic and Islamic architecture.
THE ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL
The building stands on grounds of the former slave market closed down in 1873. It has the shape of a Basilica with a blend of vernacular Gothic and Arabic styles.
Its construction was supervised by Bishop Edward Steere (1874-1882). The building's material comprised of reinforced concrete mixed with crusted coral stone. The roof was not completed until 1879.
The external walls are covered by crenellations and recesses ending in tri-foil arches. The clock on the tower was a gift from Sultan Seyyid Barghash (1880).
THE PEACE MEMORIAL MUSEUM
The building was designed as a central cupola structure by the British architect J.H. Sinclair. It was built from funds provided by the Government and by various communities in commemoration of the First World War.
It was opened on Armistice Day and its first curator was Dr. A. H. Spurrier.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDERAL
It is the prototype of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Garde in Marseilles , France.
The cathedral was built between 1897 and 1900 by the lay Brothers and native members of the church. The spacious interior was also painted by a lay Brother of the mission, from France.
The paintings are dominated by scenes from the old testament. Because of poor maintenance, most of the original paintings have been destroyed with age. Attempts to restore the paintings were not so successful because of financial problems, as is the case with most restoration projects on the island.
THE ZSTC BUILDING 
This building housed the offices of Smith, Mackenzie and Co. Ltd. from 1874 to 1974.
It was also the first British Consulate (opened in 1841) before it was moved to the Mambo Msiige building in 1874. The first British Consul to Zanzibar, Captain Hamerton(1841-1857) lived in this building.
The explorers Burton and Speke resided here for a short period before beginning their expedition to the mainland. It was to this building, that David Livingstone's body was taken for identification, on its arrival at Zanzibar from a long journey to the then Rhodesia.
THE ARAB FORT 
This is on of the few stone buildings that Seyyid Said found in 1829, on his arrival on Zanzibar.
It stands on the site occupied circa 1710 by a ruined Portuguese church and residential quarters which were converted by the arabs into a primitive fort for the town garrison.
The fort was unsuccessfully attacked by Mazrui arabs from Mombasa in 1754. Up and until 1928 it was the depot for the Bububu railway, Zanzibar's first railway now no longer in existance.
The Fort has a quadrilateral plan with circular towers at its corners and interconnecting defense walls. The original fortified entrance gate facing the sea was replaced in 1949.
The beautifully carved Arab door, at the main entrance, was formerly in a house belonging to Sultan Seyyid Khaled bin Mohammed. It has two small subsidiary doors, cut into the two larger door sections, for the use of children.
THE HOUSE OF WONDERS, BEIT-EL-AJAIB 
Referred to as the "House of Wonders" because of its grand scale and architecure. It was one of the first buildings on the island to have electric lights.
Beit-el-Ajaib was built by Sultan Seyyid Barghash(1870-1888) for ceremonial purposes. Rumour has it that the building was designed by a marine engineer.
It was bombarded by a British fleet in 1896 during the brief usurpation of the Sultan's throne by Seyyid Khalid. Fortunately, the building suffered minor damages although the free standing light house at the top of the building was severely damaged and was later replaced by a clock tower.
Both Seyyid Hamud (1896-1902) and Seyyid Ali bin Hamud (1902-1911) resided in the house of wonders, before it accomodated the Government offices in 1911.
In 1976, it was converted into an Ideological College of Politics for the members of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (the ruling party then and now).
The broad galleries surrounding all four sides of the building were constructed from reinforced concrete slabs supported by cast iron columns. The internal roofed courtyard is surrounded by galleries reached by an impressive marble stairway.
At the entrace stood two fine Portuguese bronze guns made during the sixteenth century. The guns were captured from the Portuguese by the Persians assisted by the British Navy during the fall of Ormuz in 1622.
They were probably recapture from the Persians by the Omani Arabs and brought to Zanzibar by Seyyid Said (1807-1856). The larger gun had the Portuguese Royal Arms, the cipher and standard of King John III, and a planisphere of the world.
THE PALACE MUSEUM (THE SULTAN'S PALACE)
This palace consists of coral rag walls and traditional "Boriti" (mangrove shoots) supported floors, reinforced by concrete slabs and steel beams.
It was first occupied by Sultan Khalifa in 1911 when ascended to the throne. The palace also accomodated the Royal family and the Sultan's harem.
General Sir Lloyd Mathews also lived here for a short while (on the Sultan's invitation).
After the 1964 Revolution, it was used by the Zanzibar Government for Cabinet meetings and for gatherings of the Revolutionary Council.
For some years, Idd Baraza's ( A gathering of top government officials and diplomats hosted on Idd day by the President of the Zanzibar) were also held in this building.
THE NASUR NURMOHAMED DISPENSARY
A beautiful building presented to Haji Nasser Nurmohamed's community by Sir Tharia Topan, a prominant Ismaili Khoja Indian.
The foundation stone was laid in Queen Victoria's Jubilee year. The building was built as a hospital, but after Sir Tharia's death, it was sold and later housed a dispensary.
It has U-shaped plan, enclosing an open courtyard with overlooking galleries. The long balconies at the front of the building display ornate decorated woodwork and are very beautiful.
BALNARA MOSQUE
Unlike other mosques, it has a minaret decorated with a double chevron pattern. It was built around 1831 by Mohammed Abdul Qadir el Mansabi, whose remains are buried infront of the Mihrab.
LIVINGSTONE HOUSE 
This house was given to David Livingstone for a few weeks, by Sultan Seyyid Said, when Livingstone was fitting out his last exhibition to the mainland in 1866.
It was originally a single storeyed housed belonging to Seyyid Khalid bin Said. At some point in its history, the building was used as a rest house for invalids and for religious meetings, by the Ithnaasheri Khoja Community.
In 1947 the government purchased it. Today it houses the offices of the Zanzibar Tourist Corporation.
HAMAMNI BATHS 
These baths were built for public use. The buiding consists of a coral rag construction with lime stucco rendering. The external appearance is plain with only a decorative dentil frieze on the upper part, surrounded by a crenellated parapet.
THE AGA KHAN MOSQUE 
A two storeyed building with magnificent designs on the outer walls.
THE BHARMAL BUILDING
Was built in the late nineteeth century. Is is richly decorated with plaster mouldings.
It formely accomodated the offices for the Senior British Government Officials Research in Zanzibar. It is presently being occupied by the offices of Zanzibar's Municipal Council.
MAMBO MSIIGE ("DO NOT IMITATE") 
It gets its name from the fact that the building has a variety of architectural styles. It was erected circa 1847-1850 for a prominent arab residing in Zanzibar.
Between 1864 and 1874 it was the Headquarters of Universities Mission to Central Africa, before they were moved to Mkunazini area.
From 1874 to 1913 it was the residence of the British representative to Zanzibar, the first of whom was John Kirk, Consul General from 1873 to 1887.
A room at the top is reported to have been built especially for the use of H.M. Stanley, the explorer. From 1918 to 1924 it accomodated the European Hospital after which it was converted into Government offices.
Presently it houses the offices of the Registrar General, WAKF and Trust committee, Zanzibar Shipping Corporation and the Ministry of Finance's Audit department.
KILOSA BUILDING
Is a commercial structure of unknown origin. It now houses a restaurant and some shops. A Taxi stand is also located outside the building.
Chumbe Island for almost half a century, played a very important role in helping sailorsnavigate their away through the Zanzibar Channel.
The island housed the only lighthouse betweenthe mainland and the west coast of Zanzibar and in its days, it must havesaved many a ships from going aground.
The lighthouse built in 1904, is about 33 metres high and has 131 steps to the top. ...Is it worth a climb? Iwould say it is!
The island was gazetted by the Zanzibar Government as a protected area in 1994 (after being used for some yearsas a Military reserve), a move which was no doubt a great step in preserving Zanzibar's beautiful underwater coral gardens.
It is now one of the most famous Nature Reserves in East Africa, thanks to the efforts of a few devoted individuals.It is the first marine park in Tanzania, with a fully protected reef sanctuary offering the best snorkelling in the whole of East Arica.
The waters sorrounding the island are a home to more than 370 species of fish and 200 species of pristine corals. The island also has about 40 species of birds.The park boasts of interesting terrestrial and marine trails which you can explore accompanied by the park rangers, who are well trained local fishermen.
Snorkeling in the reef sanctuary is an invigorating experience! The selection of sea creatures that you will come across is unbelievable and a breathtaking experience! The park offers training in snorkeling and can also arrange diving trips to adjacent reefs.
There is an impressive visitor's Centre and7 self-contained twin-bedded Eco-bungalows, equipped with solar lighting and heating. These 'locally' constructed bungalows were erected to accomodate those of you who haven't seen enough of the island in a day, and for those of you who find it difficult to depart from the beautiful sorroundings.
The Park won both, the 1999 British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Award for the Southern Region (Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent), and also the Global Award. In 2000 the park won the UNEP Global500 Award awarded by the United Nations Environment Programme.
Chumbe Island Coral Park is a privately managed Nature Reserve, registered with the UN-World Conservation Monitoring Centre(U.K.) and has been selected as an International Project for the EXPO2000 World Exhibition in Hannover, Germany.
For more information on the park contact:
Sibylle Riedmiller/Eleanor CarterP.O.Box 3203ZanzibarTanzaniaTEL: +255 24 2231040FAX: +255 24 2230107email:
chumbe@zitec.org.
THE PALACE MUSEUM
Formally known as the Sultans Palace because it housed the Throne of the Al-Busaid Dynasty, this two storeyed palace was after the 1964 Revolution, used by the government of the day, for official gatherings and was out of bounds to the public.
Historians from the Islands have for years tried to persuade the government to convert the palace into a museum, for the benefit of history and the people of Zanzibar. Success came in 1994, when President Salmin Amour finally gave his consent.
The Palace Museum is located on the east boundary of the Stone Town, very near to the sea. I will now give you the opportunity to go back into time and spend some time in building that once housed the throne to Zanzibar's Omani heritage.
As you approach the palace walls, you will be enchanted by the beauty of the what appears to be a rather simple looking white building. But alas, do not be fooled by this exterior appearance. The rich interior decor is what is truly expected of any palace.
Unfortunately not all of the last Sultan's possessions are in the palace as some have mysteriously disappeared without trace! ( sadly, this took place over the years before the palace was converted into a museum).
As you go through the great arab door into the palace, to your left is a large "Baraza room" and to the right is a room that houses the museum's shop and also the ticket collector's stand.
As you walk further in, the next room on the right contains a vast display of some of Zanzibar's trading commodities of the early nineteenth century. These include cloves, tortoise shells and ivory. This room also holds evidence of commerial and diplomatic treaties(from the ninteenth century) between Zanzibar and the western world.
Another interesting display is a model of a whaling ship - The Charles W. Morgan(from New Bedford, USA.) which used to come to the islands to collect fresh supplies of food and water during their whaling expeditions.
You will also come across a brass decorated embroided saddle - a gift to the Sultan of Zanzibar from the Sherif of Mecca.
As you climb the wide wooden stairs to the first floor, you will see some of the Sultans of Zanzibar staring at you........no don't worry, they are not ghosts but merely almost life-size potraits of Zanzibar's Omani Sultans!
The first floor contains all the ceremonial halls. It has a State Room and a Banquet hall (were the sultan hosted his 'Idd barazas') expanded in the 1930s to accomodate more people.
To get to the Baraza Hall, you have to walk past a long balcony facing the sea.
I am sure the attractiveness of the view from this long balcony, will make you pause and appreaciate it! If you flew into Zanzibar, then what you will see on your right is the Port of Zanzibar.
The most important attraction on this floor, is the room devoted solely to the life of Princess Seyyida Salme, Zanzibar's most documented Princess!!
This room has been decorated like a typical arab bedroom. The room has pictures of the beautiful princess, some traditional arab gowns and a hand written script of the Holy Quran.
Climbing the intricately carved, narrow, wooden stairway that leads to the second floor, where the Sultans lived their lives away from the public - their personal homes!
This floor houses the Sultan's old and new bedroom, the later been built sometime in the 1930s, a dressing room, two sitting rooms for the Sultan and his Sultana and a dining room......and that brings us to the end of our tour!
So are you intrigued?......if you are, then you know what to do when you are in Zanzibar. The tour would consume an hour of your precious time, but you can always shorten or lenghten it to satisfy your own curiousity!
So if you are planning to visit the museum, here are the opening hours and contact details.
OPENING HOURS:
Tuesdays to Thursdays :9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Sundays and on some Public Holidays : 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Mondays and on most Public Holidays : CLOSED
For more definitive details you can write or call the museum at:
THE PALACE MUSEUM
P.O.BOX 116
Zanzibar
Tanzania
Tel: +255 24 2231158/2231159
Fax: +255 24 2232337/2231822
About the Festival
Zanzibar's spectacular FESTIVAL OF THE DHOW COUNTRIES takes place at the end of June into the first two weeks of July annually. Now entering its 8th year the Festival began as THE ZANZIBAR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL in 1998 and has already been quoted as being East Africa's premier cultural event.
Based in historic Stone Town, with its labyrinthine narrow winding streets, the Festival utilises many fine buildings along the waterfront. The Old Fort/Ngome Kongwe is the main hub of the Festival, with its amphitheatre providing the main screening facility. The Mambo Club/Main Stage, also inside the old Portuguese Fort, becomes the venue for non-stop music from 8pm till midnight. Outside in the Forodhani Gardens, the traditional local meeting place, where delicious seafood delicacies are served up every night, an open-air Free Stage buzzes all afternoon with local and international acts.
Moving east along the waterfront: the magnificent House of Wonders/Beit el-Ajaib holds the Children's Panorama alongside indoor film screenings throughout the day, Workshops, Seminars and Exhibitions. The Palace Museum, once the official residence of the Sultans, also plays host to Workshops and Seminars. The top floor of the Old Customs House, recently inaugurated as the Dhow Countries Music Academy, hosts musician's Master Classes and The Old Dispensary/Stone Town Cultural Centre becomes the setting for the Women's Panorama. Village festivities take place in the 'shamba', with special events combining to provide the outlying areas of the islands of Unguja and Pemba, with a full taste of the Festival's activities.
The Festival celebrates the arts and culture of the 'dhow' region: the African continent, the Indian Ocean region, its islands and their global diaspora. For centuries the mightly dhows have traded their wares around the ocean, driven by the monsoon winds, bringing together the eclectic mix of people who now inhabit these beautiful equatorial islands.
The very name Zanzibar conjures up images of 1001 Nights, exotic spices and Arab traders, languishing in a tropical paradise of coral reefs and palm-fringed beaches. Recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Stone Town's architecture reflects it's African, Arabian and Indian ancestory.
Screening over 100 films and staging more than 60 groups of performing arts annually, the Festival now reaches an estimated audience of over 500,000 people. Ticket prices are kept to a minimum to encourage local participation, whose natural exuberance and spontaneity adds greatly to the lively and friendly atmosphere.
Prestigeous Gold and Silver Dhow Awards are given in several film categories: Full-length Feature, Short Feature and Documentary. Chairman's Choice and People's Choice Awards are also made. Lifetime Acheivement Awards are given in recognition of artists who have made a significant contribution to the contempory cultures of the Dhow Countries.
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