ZANZIBAR, zin-zi-bir', East Africa, (1) A sultanate comprising the whole coast between Magdishu (Magadoxo), about lat 2° N., and Cape Delgado, lat. 10° 42' S., with the four islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, Lamu and Mafia. The continental part of the sultanate in 1890 was divided between British East Africa and German East Africa; while the island and town of Zanzibar, and the island of Pemba became a British protectorate; in the course of the European War the German territory was taken by the Allies late in 1917. Joint area, 1,020 square miles; pop. est. 250,000. (2) The island of Zanzibar, with an area of 640 square miles, is 47 miles long and 20 miles wide. It is partly of coralline formation. Its forests have disappeared but its flora is abundant and of great variety. Its fauna is chiefly con tinental. The island is very fertile and well cultivated, being especially suited for the cul tivation of cloves, sugar, coffee, cocoa and vari ous spices, of which there is a considerable ex port There are more than mono acres planted to cloves, and there are extensive plantations of rubber and chile. Copra also is an impor tant export. Roads are excellent and an Amer ican railway traverses the island. The aboli tion of slavery was accomplished gradually, be ginning in 1897, when it was decreed that no child could be born a slave, and provision for slaves obtaining freedom was made. The proc
ess was completed in 1908 and was notably successful in its avoidance of upsetting eco nomic conditions or offending the Moslems. The heterogeneous population estimated at 176. 0W includes European., Arabs. half-caste Por tuguese from the Malabar Coast of India, and the Snahilis from the mainland (3) Zanzibar, the chief town (pop. 55,750) on the west side of the island, is the centre of trade for the eastern seaboard of Africa, and of missionary and exploring work for the interior. The city is connected with all parts of the world by cables and is a regular port of call for steam ships plying between Inefu and Europe. Direct steamship communication was established with London in 1910. The commerce of the islands is largely in the hands of East Indians. of whom there are about 10,000; while the Arabs. also numbering about 10,000, are the prima* landlords. European residents number has than 300. Both its exports and imports amonst to more than f1,000,000 annually. The govern ment is practically British..