Which island off the coast of Tanzania is known for its Stone Town and spice plantations? Zanzibar is the canonical answer. More precisely, Stone Town and most of the famous spice plantations are on Unguja, the main island commonly called Zanzibar.
Zanzibar is also the name of a Tanzanian archipelago and semi-autonomous region in the Indian Ocean. Its historic capital, Zanzibar City, grew around Stone Town, whose narrow lanes, carved doors, coral-stone buildings, and waterfront reflect Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian, and European influences.
The islands became a major Indian Ocean trading centre, handling goods such as ivory, cloves, and other spices. Omani Sultan Said bin Sultan moved his court from Muscat to Stone Town in the 19th century, helping make Zanzibar a political and commercial hub. That history also includes the deeply troubling slave trade, whose legacy remains visible in Stone Town.
A common confusion is treating Zanzibar as only one island. Unguja is the main island; Pemba is another major island in the archipelago. Stone Town became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.