# Zanzibar City

> city in Tanzania

**Wikidata**: [Q2222874](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2222874)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanzibar_City)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zanzibar-city

## Summary
Zanzibar City is a large human settlement and the capital of the Mjini Magharibi Region in Tanzania, located on the island of Unguja. It has been the capital of the Sultanate of Zanzibar, People's Republic of Zanzibar, and now Tanzania, and is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

## Key Facts
- City in Tanzania with population of 709,809 as of 2022 (census data)
- Located in Mjini Magharibi Region and on the island of Unguja
- Timezone is UTC+03:00
- Coordinates: -6.1666666666667 latitude, 39.2 longitude
- Capital of Mjini Magharibi Region, Zanzibar Islands, People's Republic of Zanzibar, and Sultanate of Zanzibar
- Member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities
- UN/LOCODE: TZZNZ
- Population history: 125,000 (1983), 158,000 (1998), 205,870 (2002), 501,459 (2012), 403,700 (2020 estimation)
- Twinned with Haikou since 1997-10-30
- Various aliases including Zanzibar Town, Mji Mkongwe, and Zanzibar-Stadt
- Wikidata ID: Q36578 (GND: 4445980-4)

## FAQs
- What organizations is Zanzibar City a member of?
  Zanzibar City is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities, as indicated by its references to membership documentation.
- What is the capital of which regions and entities?
  Zanzibar City serves as the capital of the Mjini Magharibi Region, Zanzibar Islands, People's Republic of Zanzibar, and the Sultanate of Zanzibar.
- What is the population of Zanzibar City?
  The population was 709,809 as of August 23, 2022, according to census data.
- What is the time zone for Zanzibar City?
  Zanzibar City observes the UTC+03:00 time zone.
- What is the twinned administrative body?
  Zanzibar City has been twinned with Haikou since October 30, 1997.

## Why It Matters
Zanzibar City holds significant historical and cultural importance as the former capital of the Sultanate of Zanzibar and the People's Republic of Zanzibar. Its role as a major port city and center of trade has made it a key economic and political hub in East Africa. The city's historical significance includes its role in the slave trade and later as a center for commerce and culture, contributing to its designation as a World Heritage site and membership in the Organization of World Heritage Cities. This recognition highlights its importance as a preserved example of Swahili and Islamic architecture and urban planning.

## Notable For
- Designated as a World Heritage City by the Organization of World Heritage Cities
- Former capital of the Sultanate of Zanzibar and People's Republic of Zanzibar
- Historical significance as a major port and center of trade in East Africa
- Designated as a capital for multiple political entities over time
- Population growth from approximately 68,400 in 1967 to over 700,000 in 2022
- Recognition as a significant cultural and historical site with multiple population estimates from different years

## Body
### History
Zanzibar City has served as the capital of the Sultanate of Zanzibar, People's Republic of Zanzibar, and now Tanzania. The city's history dates back to its establishment as a major trading port, particularly during the era of the Zanzibar Sultanate. It was the capital of the Sultanate from its founding until the union with Tanganyika in 1964. The city has been the seat of government for various political entities over different time periods, as indicated by its references to historical designations.

### Geography and Location
Zanzibar City is situated on the island of Unguja, which is part of the Zanzibar Archipelago. The coordinates of the city are approximately -6.1666666666667 latitude and 39.2 longitude. It is located in the Mjini Magharibi Region of Tanzania. The city is positioned in the Unguja region and serves as the administrative center for the surrounding area.

### Population and Demographics
The population of Zanzibar City has varied over time according to different sources:
- 68,400 (estimation, 1967)
- 125,000 (estimation, 1983)
- 158,000 (estimation, 1998)
- 205,870 (2002)
- 501,459 (2012)
- 403,700 (estimation, 2020)
- 709,809 (census, 2022-08-23)

The population has shown significant growth over the decades, reflecting the city's continued importance as a major urban center.

### Infrastructure and Transportation
The city has the UN/LOCODE TZZNZ, indicating its identification in international shipping and logistics. It is connected to other regions through various transportation networks, though specific details about roads, railways, or airports are not provided in the source material.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
Zanzibar City is notable for its historical and cultural significance. It was designated as a capital for multiple political entities over time, including the Sultanate of Zanzibar, People's Republic of Zanzibar, and now Tanzania. The city has been recognized as a World Heritage site by the Organization of World Heritage Cities, as indicated by its references to membership documentation.

### Administrative Classification
The city is classified as a "big city" and an "administrative territorial entity" according to the source material. It has been the capital of the Mjini Magharibi Region, Zanzibar Islands, People's Republic of Zanzibar, and Sultanate of Zanzibar.

### International Relations and Partnerships
Zanzibar City has established international partnerships, including a twinning agreement with Haikou since October 30, 1997. This relationship is documented in the source material with specific reference dates.

### Language and Communication
The city is represented in multiple languages, with Wikipedia available in 53 different languages including Afrikaans, Arabic, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Bengali, Catalan, Cebuano, Dutch, English, Esperanto, Spanish, Turkish, and many others. The native label is "Zanzibar" as indicated by the official name references.

### Identifiers and Classification
Zanzibar City has multiple identifiers across different databases:
- Wikidata ID: Q36578 (GND: 4445980-4)
- VIAF ID: 24144648190506101862
- IDref ID: 128518588
- SNARC ID: 12 Angry Men
- MusicBrainz area ID: 665dd649-a353-4e58-8c2d-edb0da0c7164
- Geonames ID: 148730
- Freebase ID: /m/047vq3s
- World Historical Gazetteer Place ID: 12908931
- Bibliothèque Nationale de France ID: 15079242z
- Museum Digital Place ID: 20464
- Online PWN Encyclopedia ID: 4000261
- Who's on First ID: 421170425
- Yale Lux ID: place/1971ef65-1d97-4885-b626-c8ae204d01c8
- Instagram location ID: 228285831
- OpenStreetMap node ID: 3320526612

### Media and Representation
The city is represented in various media formats:
- Image: Stone Town, Zanzibar (1).jpg from Wikimedia Commons
- Page banner: Zanzibar banner from Wikimedia Commons
- Commons category: Zanzibar City
- Wikipedia page with 63 sitelinks

### Categories and Classification
The city is categorized under "Category:Zanzibar City" and has associated categories for people born and died in the city. It is classified as a "city" according to the source material's instance_of property.

### References and Sources
The information about Zanzibar City comes from multiple sources including:
- Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition
- Various population data sources
- Membership documentation from the Organization of World Heritage Cities
- Geographic and administrative databases
- Historical records of the Sultanate of Zanzibar and subsequent political entities

The city's designation as a capital and its population figures are documented across different time periods, reflecting its changing status and growth over the decades.

## References

1. [Source](http://enfaohn.hainan.gov.cn/wsbSR/wsbSC/index_m.html)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://www.ovpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/liste-villes-en-regle-pour-page-web12-03-2024.pdf)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. MusicBrainz
8. [Source](http://www.citypopulation.de/en/tanzania/cities/)
9. Great dictionary of geographical names
10. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
11. [Great Russian Encyclopedia](https://old.bigenc.ru/geography/text/5851716)
12. GeoNames
13. museum-digital