Zanzibar is an insular semi-autonomous region which united with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. It is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 km (16–31 mi) off the coast of the African mainland, and consists of many small islands and two large ones: Unguja and Pemba Island. The capital is Zanzibar City, located on the island of Unguja. Its historic centre, Stone Town, is a World Heritage Site.
Mafia Island or Chole Shamba is an island of The Mafia Archipelago located in Mafia District in the southern Pwani Region of Tanzania across the Mafia Channel. The island is the third largest in Tanzanian ocean territory, but is not administratively included within the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar, which has been politically separate since 1890. Mafia Island forms the largest part of Mafia District, one of the six administrative districts in the Pwani Region. As the Mafia Archipelago's main island, it's sometimes called Chole Shamba, meaning Chole farmlands in Swahili. This is in opposition to the historic settlement of Chole Mjini on Chole Island inside Mafia Bay. The island's population is over 65,000. The economy is based on fishing, subsistence agriculture and the market in Kilindoni. The island attracts some tourists, mainly scuba divers, birdwatchers, game fishermen, and people seeking relaxation.
Unguja North Region, Zanzibar North Region or North Zanzibar Region is one of the 31 regions of Tanzania. The region covers an area of 407 km2 (157 sq mi). The region is comparable in size to the combined land area of the nation state of Andorra. and the administrative region is located entirely on the island of Zanzibar. Unguja North Region is bordered on three sides to the north by Indian Ocean, southeast by Unguja South Region and southwest by Mjini Magharibi Region. The regional capital is the town of Mkokotoni. The region has the fifth highest HDI in the country, making one of the most developed regions in the country.According to the 2012 census, the region has a total population of 187, 455. Zanzibar North is divided into two districts, Kaskazini A and Kaskazini B.
Unguja South Region, Zanzibar South Region or South Zanzibar Region is one of the 31 regions of Tanzania. The region covers an area of 854 km2 (330 sq mi). The region is comparable in size to the combined land area of the nation state of Kiribati. and the administrative region is located entirely on the island of Zanzibar. Unguja South Region is bordered on three sides to the south by Indian Ocean, northeast by Unguja North Region and northwest by Mjini Magharibi Region. The regional capital is the town of Koani. Besides being known for its Spinner dolphin populations, the region is also home to the oldest mosque in East Africa, the Kizimkazi Mosque and also historic Makunduchi town. The region has the fourth highest HDI in the country, making one of the most developed regions in the country. According to the 2022 census, the region has a total population of 195,873.
Mjini Magharibi Region, Zanzibar Urban West Region or West Zanzibar Region is one of the 31 regions of Tanzania. The region covers an area of 230 km2 (89 sq mi). The region is located entirely on the island of Zanzibar and bordered to the west by the Indian Ocean, north by Unguja North Region and the east by Unguja South Region. The region is home to one of the seven World Heritage Sites located in Tanzania, namely; Stonetown of Zanzibar. The regional capital is Zanzibar City. The region is the most developed region with the highest human development index in Tanzania at 0.718. According to the 2012 census, the region has a total population of 593,678.
Menai Bay is a bay in Mkinga District of Mjini Magharibi Region of Tanzania. The bay is geogrpahically part of the Zanzibar Archipelago.
Chumbe Island is a private island in the Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania, off the coast of Mjini District. It is situated in the Zanzibar Channel. The island is known for its ecological innovation and exceptional coral reefs. The Chumbe Lighthouse is also located on the island.
Zanzibar City or Mjini District, often simply referred to as Zanzibar is one of two administrative districts of Mjini Magharibi Region in Tanzania. The district covers an area of 15.4 km2 (5.9 sq mi). The district is comparable in size to the land area of Nauru. The district has a water border to the west by the Indian Ocean. The district is bordered to the east by Magharibi District. The district seat is in Stonetown. The city is the largest on the island of Zanzibar. It is located on the west coast of Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago, north of the much larger city of Dar es Salaam across the Zanzibar Channel. The city also serves as the capital of the Zanzibar Urban/West Region. In 2022 its population was 219,007.
Fumba is a village on the Tanzanian island of Unguja, part of Zanzibar. It is located in the southwest of the island, at the end of the Fumba Peninsula, and overlooks Menai Bay in Mjini Mgaharibi Region.
Unguja Ukuu is a historic Swahili settlement on Unguja island, in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
The wildlife of Zanzibar consists of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna in the archipelago of Zanzibar, an autonomous region of Tanzania. Its floral vegetation is categorized among the coastal forests of eastern Africa as the Southern Zanzibar-Inhambane coastal forest mosaic and the Northern Zanzibar-Inhambane coastal forest mosaic. Its faunal species are mostly small animals, birds, and butterflies.
The Menai Bay Conservation Area (MBCA) is located in Menai Bay, Zanzibar Tanzania. At 470 square kilometres (180 sq mi), it is Zanzibar's largest marine protected area. It was officially established as a conservation area in August 1997 in the traditional fishing area, known as Unguja Island, covering the tropical marine environment comprising extensive coral reefs, tropical fish, sea grasses, and mangrove forests. In addition to controlling illegal fishing, MBCA's alternative initiatives have included bee keeping, mangrove replanting, tree nurseries and tourism. The management of the MBCA falls upon the Fisheries Department and the bay's local villages. It is rated by the IUCN as Category VI Managed Resource Protected Area.
Chapwani Island is a private island located in Malindi ward of Mjini District in Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania. A British naval cemetery located in Chapwani serves as the last resting place for servicemen who died while serving in Zanzibar. These are the graves of those who perished in the attack by the German cruiser SMS Königsberg on the British protected cruiser HMS Pegasus during World War One. Interms of marine protection, Changuu and Chapwani reefs were seen as less protected, whereas Chumbe reefs and Kizimkazi reefs were thought to be well protected.
Ukombe Island is a protected island located in Dimani ward of Mjini District in Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania. The island is part of the Menai Bay Marine Conservation Area.
Kwale Island is a protected island located in Fumba ward of Mjini District in Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania. The island is included in the marine conservation area of Menai Bay.
Pamunda Island or Komunda Island is a protected island located in Fumba ward of Mjini District in Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania. One of the Menai Bay islands, the island is part of the Menai Bay Marine Conservation Area. The native Eucheuma denticulatum grows abundantly around Pamunda Island.
Sume Island is a protected island located in Fumba ward of Mjini District in Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania. The island is included in the Menai Bay Marine Conservation Area. Sume reef protects on the biodiverse island. Field observations of Acropora spp. reefs on Sume Island in southern Zanzibar indicate that native Eucheuma denticulatum is flourishing there.
Miwi Island is a protected island located in Fumba ward of Mjini District in Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania. One of the Menai Bay islands, made of limestone, the island is a part of the Menai Bay Marine Conservation Area.
Niamembe Island is a protected island located in Fumba ward of Mjini District in Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania. One of the Menai Bay islands, the island is a part of the Menai Bay Marine Conservation Area and is composed of limestone.
