Zanzibar is an archipelago off the coast of East Africa, part of Tanzania. It consists of several islands, the largest of which are Unguja (commonly referred to as Zanzibar Island) and Pemba. Zanzibar has a rich history shaped by trade, particularly in spices like cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon, which were highly sought after by traders from across the world.

The islands were a hub for the Arab slave trade in the 19th century, and later became a British protectorate until gaining independence in 1963. Shortly after, it merged with Tanganyika to form Tanzania.