Facts About Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands, the most notable of which is Unguja, which is approximately 25 kilometers from Tanzania’s main city, Dar es Salaam. The island is known for its unique beaches, well-known spice farms, history, and diverse culture. The name Zanzibar is derived from the Arabic word Zanzibar, which means “black coast.” It’s a Tanzanian territory with a semi-autonomous status. The island boasts some of the nicest beaches in the world.
Zanzibar is known for its stunning white sand beaches, warm weather, exotic Swahili cuisine, friendly people, and luxurious tourist resorts. If you enjoy lounging in the sun or combining a rainforest safari with a beach vacation, Zanzibar is the place for you. The following are some fun or fascinating facts about the island of Zanzibar.
- Queen’s main singer, Freddie Mercury, was born in Zanzibar.
Farroukh Bulsara, better known as Freddie Mercury, was born on Zanzibar Island in 1946 and is one of the world’s most recognized artists. Following 15 studio albums and unprecedented global success, the dynamic singer, along with the other members of Queen, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Many monuments of Freddie Mercury may be found throughout Stone Town, and Queen Fans throng to the Shangani region of Zanzibar, where he was born and raised.
- The main Zanzibar language is Swahili.
Although Swahili is Zanzibar’s official language, many inhabitants also speak Arabic and English. Other European languages, like Italian and French, are also spoken on the island. Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda are among the nations in East Africa where Swahili is commonly spoken. The word “Swahili” is derived from the Arabic word “sawahil,” which means “coast.”
- Zanzibar is not just one island; it’s a combination of more than two islands.
Zanzibar is frequently misunderstood as a single island. It is, after all, an archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean. Unguja (also known as Zanzibar) and Pemba Island are two of the largest islands on the island of Zanzibar. Further south, Mafia Island, part of Tanzania’s Mafia Archipelago, is further south. Zanzibar has a population of roughly 1.3 million people.
- There are some rare creatures on the Zanzibar islands.
The red colobus monkey, the Zanzibar servaline genet, and the Zanzibar leopard all call Zanzibar home. The red colobus monkey is an endangered species with a shrinking population. Unlike another critically endangered wildlife species on Zanzibar, the Zanzibar leopard, these beautiful primates are normally found in the Jozani Forest.
Although it is uncertain whether any Zanzibar leopards remain on the island, and specialists have previously said that they are extinct, recent sightings have rekindled hope that the population is alive. The Zanzibar servaline genet is another unusual animal found in Unguja. These feline-like creatures were discovered in the 1990s and photographed for the first time in 2003.
Locals have known about the servaline genet for a long time before zoologists discovered it, and scientists just recently classified this species. Unlike in the famous Serengeti National Park on the Tanzanian mainland, there are no lions, elephants, or giraffes on Zanzibar Island. Zanzibar’s biodiversity is largely found in the ocean, with some stunning coral and fantastic snorkeling options.
- The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 was the world’s shortest war.
On August 27, 1896, the United Kingdom and the Sultanate of Zanzibar fought the Anglo-Zanzibar War. It is often regarded as the shortest war in history, lasting only 38 minutes in all. The story begins in 1890, when Britain and Germany signed the Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty.
- Apart from beaches and history, Zanzibar is famous for its spices.
Spice production, second only to tourism, is a major contributor to Zanzibar’s economy. Due to the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper that are grown on the islands, they are frequently referred to as the Spice Islands. You may learn about Zanzibar culture while exploring the metropolis of Stone Town and taking in the sights, smells, and tastes of the spice fields with your Zanzibar-Tanzania booking and visit.
- Zanzibar is a popular diving destination because of the living reefs that surround the islands.
The water temperature is warm, visibility is usually good, currents are light, and there are many colorful fish, all of which make this a great place for first-time and novice divers. Many of the major resorts on the North and East Coasts feature on-site dive shops run by professionals.
- Jozani Forest is the only forest and national park on the island.
Zanzibar, unlike Tanzania’s mainland, has only one national park: Jozani National Park, which is the only part of Zanzibar containing wildlife. You may see a variety of monkeys, butterflies, birds, and other animals here, among other things. Thousands of people visit this location each year. In this woodland, you may see around 40 different bird and butterfly species.
- Religion
Zanzibar’s religion is 95 percent Islamic, and it has been for hundreds of years. It was originally a part of the Persian Empire until falling under the control of the Caliphate of Oman. A Sultan governed the country. In the late nineteenth century, the British captured Zanzibar. The British conquest was an attempt to put an end to the Arab slave trade on the islands. They installed puppet rulers, and Zanzibar was designated as a “protectorate” rather than a colony. On December 10, 1963, Zanzibar declared independence from the United Kingdom.
- For more than 20,000 years, Zanzibar has been home to intelligent humans (Homo sapiens).
