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Zanzibar, as known to many as Spice
Island, is the collective name of the main islands of
Unguja,
Pemba
and several other smaller
islands of Tumbatu, Uzi,
Pungume, Kwale, Chumbe, Bawe, Mnemba and Vundwe. Lies about 40 and
50 km respectively from the coast of the
Mainland
Tanzania
in the Indian Ocean.
It is surrounded by the
pristine coral reefs, calm and clear water, brilliant and beautiful
sandy beaches fringed by
coconut palm
leaves, natural and unexploited
lagoons and mangrove swamps, which are rich in marine life.
It has been in the history of
travelers since silk route ages, ancient Indians, Arab, Chinese and
Portuguese Merchants were stopping over in Zanzibar either for trade
reasons, to refuel and take clean water for their forward journeys, or
resting. The imprint of these people can be traced even today on the
narrow streets of Stone Town Unguja buildings, and ruins in some parts
of Zanzibar
Recently, Zanzibar received an
award from Travel and Leisure Magazine for being voted as the best Island
destination in Africa and the Middle East in the 2004.
Modern hotels with
high classes have been built recently to accommodate the increasing
number of holiday makers: Zamani Kempinski, La Gemma Del Est.,
Ras Nungwi, Nungwi Village, Chumbe Island Beach Resort, Ocean Paradise
among others
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