12 January: Zanzibar Revolution Day

Today is Zanzibar Revolution Day, a public holiday in Zanzibar (a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania) celebrating the Zanzibar Revolution in 1964 and the overthrow of the Sultan. Some facts about Zanzibar.

Sultan's Palace, Zanzibar

1. It was the location of the world's shortest ever war, which lasted just 38 minutes in 1896. It happened because Britain did not like the new Sultan, Sultan Khalid bin Barghash.
2. The region is composed of the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 kilometres (16–31 mi) off the coast of the mainland. It consists of two large islands: Unguja (the main island, referred to informally as Zanzibar) and Pemba. There are also numerous small islands.
3. The capital is Zanzibar City, on the island of Unguja. Its historic centre is Stone Town, which is a World Heritage Site.
4. Zanzibar's main industries are spices, raffia, and tourism. In particular, the islands produce Cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. For this reason, the islands, together with Tanzania's Mafia Island, are sometimes called the Spice Islands.
5. The most famous person to come from Zanzibar was Freddie Mercury, (born Farrokh Bulsara). He was born in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
6. The name Zanzibar means ‘the coast of black people’, and comes from the Persian word Zangibar – ‘zangi’ meaning black-skinned and ‘bar’ meaning coast.
7. One of the most famous events to occur in Zanzibar is the Zanzibar International Film Festival. It is thought to be the largest cultural event in East Africa, giving out 12 international awards presented by 5 international juries.
8. Zanzibar was the first area in Africa to introduce colour television, in 1974. The mainland didn't get television at all until 1994, because the President disapproved of it.
9. Zanzibar has the largest number of carved doors in East Africa.
10. Zanzibar's oldest building is the 11th century mosque at Kizimkazi.