Capital: Zanzibar Town
Time: GMT +3
Population: 800,000
Area: 850 km²
Currency: Tanzanian Shillings
Climate: The climate of Zanzibar is characterised by wet and dry seasons. The rainy season is from the middle of March to the end of May, and there is also a short rainy season in November. The dry seasons are from December to February and June to October. The islands are generally humid, although the wind and sea breezes can help relieve the humidity.
Daytime temperatures are often around 26ºC during June to October, and 28ºC during December to February.
People: The majority of the people are of Bantu origin with many Arab strains found throughout the island.
Official Language: Swahili, English, Italian and Arabic
Geography: The islands of Zanzibar in general are flat and low-lying. The western and central parts of Zanzibar Island consist of low hills. The highest point is roughly 120m above sea level.
Rocky inlets or sandy beaches with lagoons and mangrove swamps and coral reefs surround the islands of Zanzibar.
Neighbouring Countries: Tanzania
Economy: The main economic activities for the people of Zanzibar are fishing and farming. Zanzibar use to export a large proportion of the word’s supply of cloves, and the economy was based largely on this service. Since then some diversification has occurred, but cloves are still a large export from the islands, along with coconuts and spices. Seaweed has also become an important export in recent years. The possibility of tourism becoming a major earner of foreign currency is being recognised and developed.
When to go: The best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry seasons, during December to February and June to October, but Zanzibar is an oceanic island and the weather is unpredictable at anytime of the year.
What to pack: Bring light and loose fitting clothing for the daytime, and you may need something more substantial for evenings. A rain jacket is a good idea even in the dry seasons though you may not need it.
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