Zanzibar (island)

Zanzibar (island), island, Tanzania, off the eastern coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean. A low-lying island of coral formation, it has an area of about 1,650 sq km (637 sq mi). Coconuts, cloves, and cacao are grown for export; fishing is also important to the local economy. The island's leading port and largest town is Zanzibar; located on the western coast, it has a fine landlocked harbour. The island was visited by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1499, at which time it was already an important centre for trade between Africa, the Middle East, and India. Zanzibar came under Portuguese rule in 1503. Arabs from Oman ousted the Portuguese in 1698, and in the mid-19th century the Omanis began to develop the island. It was made a British protectorate in 1890. In 1964 Zanzibar was merged with Tanganyika to form Tanzania. Population (1988) 375,539.