Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, in East Africa. It is composed of the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 kilometres (16–31 mi) off the coast of the mainland, and consists of numerous small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, referred to informally as Zanzibar), and Pemba.
The capital of Zanzibar, located on the island of Unguja, is Zanzibar City. Its historic centre, known as Stone Town, is a World Heritage Site and is claimed to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa.
Zanzibar’s main industries are spices, raffia, and tourism. In particular, the islands produce cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. For this reason, the islands, together with Tanzania’s Mafia Island, are sometimes called the Spice Islands (a term also associated with the Maluku Islands in Indonesia). Zanzibar is the home of the endemic Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkey, the Zanzibar Servaline Genet, and the (possibly extinct) Zanzibar Leopard.
We tendered into the port and exited the area as quickly as possible.
We found our way through Stone Town to the Anglican Church which was the site of the Great Slave Market where up to 60,000 slaves a year were processed starting in the 1500’s. This practice only ended in the late 1800’s. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Anglican Church on the site of the Great Slave Market
Our guide,Peter, took us into the underground chambers where the slaves were held. The conditions must have been horrific.
Slave Pit
We left the UNESCO site and slowly made our through very congested markets in Stone Town. The heat and humidity continues to be oppressive and these photos do not convey the unique smells and sounds of the marketplace.
Market in Stone Town
Market in Stone Town
kensuesbigadventure20122013 