The importance of Zanzibar and its fame through centuries has been great. Briefly, can be described as written by H. W. Ingrams in the preface of his book, " Zanzibar, Its History and Its People", Frank Cass and Co. ltd, 1967.

"Though the modern city of Zanzibar is at the most two hundred years old, it has fascination usually attributed only to much older foundations. The impression it makes on the casual visitor is dinstict one, that is not eclipsed, much less affected, by sojourns in other and better known Eastern cities. It is generally admitted that one can capture more of the atmosphere of The Thousands Nights and a Night in Zanzibar than in the Modern City of Caliphs, and I know of no other town where in a few short hours one can see such a pegeant of history as is paraded before one's eyes in Zanzibar in the early months of the year. At this season one sees anchored in the habour those strange crafts whose prototypes for years untold have brought traders and colonizers from all parts of the East, and one encounters in the streets representatives of all the many races that have helped to make the island history.

But the fascination of Zanzibar extend beyond the confines of the city. The island cannot aspire to majestic scenery, but there is buity to be found all round its coral shores and the waving palm and scented clove groves of the interior.

The interest and the influence of Zanzibar, however, reaches far beyond its own borders. For centuries it was the principal emporium of the eastern seaboard of Africa.....

At one time the Zanzibar Empire stretched from Guardafui to the Ruvuma River, and inland beyond the great lakes. In addition, its ruler held sway over all the south-eastern corner of Arabia, and his influence stretched beyond even these extensive borders. At this time, the heyday of the Zanzibari-Omani Empire, the island became celebrated in the well known saying, "When you play the flute at Zanzibar, all Africa, as far as the Lakes, dances." This empire has passed, but much of its influence remains. Swahili is one of the principal languages of the world, and it has been spread far and wide from Zanzibar. From Port Said to Durban, from Zanzibar across the Conco to the west coast, in southern Arabia, Western India, and in Madagascar, there will be found men who speak it. Many of the Creoles of Mauritius and Reunion are of Zanzibar origin, and the Creaole language, though French in its vocabulary, is Bantu in its garmmer. You may hear in the Creole of Mauritius the folk-lore that you have heard in the Swahili of Zanzibar.

As of the Island of Pemba, though it is somewhat overshadowed by the glory of Zanzibar, it is not without its fame. It has been described as as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," and the Arabs it is known as Jezirat al Khadhraa, or the Green Island. It is certainly one of the bueauty spots of the world. In East Africa and Madagascar it has a more sinister fame, as it is looked on as the University of Wichcraft."

Although, as noted above, the name of these islands has been gloomed in the past few decades, their beaty still lives. From its finnest beaches to the vast plantations clove tress and other kinds of spices, one is brought to face and appreciate the beuty of nature. And that makes Zanzibar the last place one will want to miss when he/she tours into Africa.

Click here to see the list of some attractive places to visit while in Zanzibar.