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 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, interspersed with picturesque fishing villages and the magic of historic Stone Town, which has been designated one of the world's few heritage sites by the United Nations. The more than 25 fantastic beaches in Zanzibar are a paradise, where the people live a simple way of life, unchanged over the years; some are so peaceful and remote that the only noise breaking the silence is likely to be the ocean.

The island has attracted adventurers, explorers, traders and pirates for centuries. The Assyrians, Sumerians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and English have all been here at one time or another. Zanzibar has become predominantly Islamic (97%) - the remaining 3% is made up of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs.

Arabs sailed with the Monsoon winds from Oman to the two main islands, Unguja (normally known as Zanzibar Island) and Pemba, to trade primarily in ivory, slaves and spices.

Widespread intermarriage between Arabs and Africans gave rise to a coastal community with distinctive features, and a language derived in part from Arabic, which became known as Swahili. The Zanzibar descendants of this group were not greatly involved in the lucrative slave, spice and ivory trades. Instead, they immersed themselves mainly in agriculture and fishing.

Two smaller communities were also established. Indian traders arrived in connection with the spice and ivory trade, and quickly settled as shopkeepers, traders, skilled artisans, and professionals. The British became involved in missionary and trading activities in East Africa, and attempting to suppress the slave trade centred in Zanzibar.