where is zanzibar

Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago located in the Indian Ocean, about 22 miles (35 km) off the east-central coast of Africa. It consists of many small islands and two main large ones: Unguja (commonly referred to as Zanzibar itself) and Pemba Island. The capital of Zanzibar is Zanzibar City, situated on Unguja island. Historically, Zanzibar City includes Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique architecture and culture. Zanzibar forms a semi-autonomous region within Tanzania, having united with Tanganyika in 1964 to constitute the United Republic of Tanzania. Zanzibar is famous for its spices, including cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut, and black pepper, and has a growing tourism industry leveraging its rich history and natural beauty. The archipelago lies north of the mainland city Dar es Salaam, separated by the Zanzibar Channel. The area of the main island Unguja is about 600 square miles (1,554 square km) with a population of around 713,000 as of 2007, and Zanzibar City had a population of approximately 219,007 in 2022. The region's climate is tropical, featuring a monsoon pattern with distinct rainy and dry seasons.