On April 24, 1964, Zanzibar merged with Tanganyika to form the United Republic of Tanzania. The economy is based exclusively on primary agricultural production, mainly spices including nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper.

It is composed of the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 kilometres off the coast of the mainland, and consists of many small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, referred to informally as Zanzibar) and Pemba.

Industrial Property developments: although the former territories of Tanganyika and Zanzibar form one political union, the United Republic of Tanzania, separate patent, trademark and design applications still have to be filed in each of these territories.

The Government of Zanzibar has enacted the Zanzibar Industrial Property Act No. 4 of 2008 making provisions for the registration and protection of patents, utility models, industrial designs, layout designs of integrated circuits, trademarks and geographical indications.