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Zanzibar
ZANZIBAR
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago in the Indian Ocean, situated 25–50 km off the east coast of Africa. It comprises several smaller islands and two main ones: Unguja (commonly known as Zanzibar) and Pemba Island. Zanzibar City, located on Unguja, serves as the capital, with its historic Stone Town recognized as a World Heritage Site.
The region is renowned for its spice production, including cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut, and black pepper, earning it the moniker "Spice Islands." Tourism has grown significantly, boosted by government initiatives, with visitor numbers rising from 19,000 in 1985 to 376,000 in 2016. Zanzibar's marine and land ecosystems are vital, supporting diverse species like the Zanzibar red colobus and the Zanzibar servaline genet. However, environmental pressures from tourism, fishing, and climate change are increasingly concerning.
In 1698, Zanzibar came under the control of the Sultan of Oman, ending Portuguese dominance and ushering in a profitable era marked by the trades of slaves, ivory, and cloves. Its strategic location, with an excellent harbor and reliable freshwater, enhanced its status as a wealthy East African hub. During Omani rule, fertile lands were allocated to Omani aristocrats, who used enslaved labor to cultivate cloves, a major export.
The reign of Sultan Seyyid Said from 1840 to 1856 further increased Zanzibar's prominence. He moved the capital from Muscat to Stone Town, boosting the clove trade and encouraging Indian merchants to settle on the island. Despite Zanzibar’s growing fame, it was notorious for its poor sanitation and the severe mistreatment of slaves. Enslaved individuals were transported under horrific conditions and faced harsh exploitation on plantations, with annual arrivals of 40,000 to 50,000 slaves and a high mortality rate among male slaves.
As the 19th century progressed, Zanzibar extended its influence over a large coastal region known as Zanj and briefly claimed Mogadishu in Somalia. However, European colonial powers gradually took control, with Britain eventually dominating Mombasa. Zanzibar gained renown for its spice trade and grim slave market. Although the slave trade was officially abolished in 1876, it persisted until 1897. The island also saw advancements, such as the introduction of the first steam locomotive in the African Great Lakes region, and its iconic architectural landmarks, like the House of Wonders, gained fame.
The British Empire cemented its control over Zanzibar and Pemba with the 1890 Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty, establishing them as British protectorates while granting Germany the Caprivi Strip in Namibia. Despite the presence of a sultan, British rule continued. Tensions between the British and Sultan Khalid bin Bargash led to the Anglo-Zanzibar War on August 27, 1896. This brief conflict, ignited by Khalid's resistance to British demands, lasted only 45 minutes, making it known as the shortest war in history. After the bombardment of the Beit al Hukum Palace, Khalid sought refuge in the German consulate, and Hamoud bin Mohammed was installed as the new sultan. Under his rule, Zanzibar's involvement in the slave trade ended with the abolition of slavery in 1897.
From 1913 to 1963, British-appointed governors administered Zanzibar, implementing reforms that improved sanitation and public health. On December 10, 1963, Zanzibar gained independence from the United Kingdom as a constitutional monarchy under the Sultan. This independence was short-lived, as the Zanzibar Revolution on January 12, 1964, led by John Okello, resulted in the overthrow of the Sultan and the establishment of the People's Republic of Zanzibar. The revolution was marked by violence and the murder of thousands of ethnic Arabs and Indians, leading to a dramatic shift in power dynamics. The revolutionary government nationalized foreign banks and restructured the island’s political and social landscape, enacting reforms that redistributed land and expanded access to education and healthcare for Africans.
In the aftermath of the revolution, Zanzibar sought assistance from various countries, including the Soviet Union, East Germany, and China. Despite efforts at modernization, the government faced criticism for strict controls and nepotism. The assassination of President Karume in 1972 led to weeks of unrest. Zanzibar transitioned to a multi-party system in 1992, though issues of corruption and vote-rigging persisted. The Zanzibar Revolution remains a significant historical event, commemorated annually on Zanzibar Revolution Day.
On April 26, 1964, Zanzibar united with Tanganyika to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which was later renamed the United Republic of Tanzania on October 29, 1964. Zanzibar now operates as a semi-autonomous region within Tanzania, with its local affairs managed by the President of Zanzibar while foreign matters are overseen by the national government in Dar es Salaam. Its semi-autonomous status is often compared to that of Hong Kong, and Zanzibar continues to play a unique role in Tanzania's political and cultural landscape.
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