Z is for Zanzibar

Congratulations! We did it -though I missed on the 'Y'. Life got in the way, and things didn't roll the way I wanted them to. I feel blessed, as I met a lot of wonderful people during this challenge, and got to read lots and lots of wonderful posts.Wouldn't have happened if I hadn't taken this challenge. Thank you for taking time to comment and follow me, and sending you *hugs*

Zanzibar, known as the Spice Island,  is made up of a series of islands, and is located approximately 25 kilometres from Tanzanian Coast, and is known for its brilliant white beaches, lapped by shimmering blue and turquiose waters of the Indian Ocean. The local people are a mixure of different ethnic backgrounds. indicative of Zanzibar's colourful history. Zanzibaris speak Swahili, - Swahili is spoken extensively throughout East AFrica. The island got his name as a result of plantations developed to provide spices.  Zanzibar being on the Indian Ocean gave it an advantage, as it became  famous for booming slave trade, giving it an important role in the Arab slave trade.

The Stone Town lies along the Indian Ocean, and is characterised by its maze of narrow passages some which are too narrow for cars, and mostly used by people on scooters and bicycles. It consists of shops, bazars, mosques and houses.
The architecture was influenced by Arab, Indian, European and African style.

 The Sultan's Palace, commonly known as the House of Wonders was built in 1883 by Sayyid Barghash  the third Sultan of Zanzibar. source used mainly for residential purposes

The long history of Zanzibar has its darker side. During the 18th and 19th centuries it was the main base for the trade in African slaves brought from the interior by Arab traders, who often purchased their captives from warring tribes. The slaves were sold to European and American merchants, and shipped in appalling conditions to the Americas and the Caribbean. It is still possible to visit the old slave pens, but an Anglican cathedral has been built on the site of the slave market.Source: usslav