The archipelago of Zanzibar in the east African coast, was known by the Arabs since ancient times as the paradise of spices. Browsers Middle East sailed the crystal clear waters in search of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper and other spices. With records of more than 50,000 years of human presence, Assyrians, Sumerians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persian, Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and British pro Zanzibar passed at some point in history.
Zanzibar consists of two islands: Pemba and Unguja, and although part of the territory of Tanzania, is a semi-autonomous province with its own government elected by the islanders, where 95% of the population is Muslim.
The capital, known as "Zanzibar City" has an area declared as "World Heritage" by UNESCO. This is the "Stone Town", where the Persians built the first Islamic temples in the Southern Hemisphere, in the sixteenth century the Portuguese built their forts, and the Omani Arabs built the Palace of the Sultan in his nineteenth century.
Every inch of the city has incredible stories, like the impressive Anglican Cathedral in Zanzibar, built on the old Slave Market, or not to go that far in time, large groups of Communist-style buildings built in the 70's in the neighborhood of "Michenzani "with support from East Germany, a project aimed at reducing the housing shortage on the island during the" Tanzanian socialist dream ", which today can not be called something other than" concrete slums ".
But nothing compares to the sea from Zanzibar. In recent years several luxury resorts were built on beaches that could be ripped from the imagination of an artist, just the beauty of its deep blue waters, white sands which highlight the unique way.
Despite all the beauty and private investments of large hotel groups, the government does not even come close to doing its part, and the island has serious infrastructure problems, especially in the matter of electricity. The severity of the supply situation is such that in 2009/2010 the island suffered a blackout of no less than three months, greatly affecting tourism, a major source of foreign currency on the islands.
However, despite all the difficulties, those visiting Zanzibar is transported to a time when brave Portuguese navigators exploring "uncharted waters", or at times even more distant Persian ships docked in search of a safe harbor to negotiate with the tribes the east African coast.
And it is a deserted beach, looking at the turquoise ocean, Zanzibar shows that all its charm. And to fall in love with this island full of mysteries, you do not need more than that.
And finally, a curiosity, few know that the most illustrious native of Zanzibar was the lead singer of the band Queen, Freddie Mercury, christened Farrokh Bulsara in 1946.
Zanzibar, the Colors and Scents of Turquoise Waters Paradise
