Mafia Island
Island of the Mafia Archipelago in Pwani Region, Tanzania / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Mafia Island or Chole Shamba (Kisiwa cha Mafia, in Swahili) is an island of The Mafia Archipelago located in Mafia District in the southern Pwani Region of Tanzania across the Mafia Channel. The island is the third largest in Tanzanian ocean territory,[1] but is not administratively included within the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar, which has been politically separate since 1890. Mafia Island forms the largest part of Mafia District, one of the six administrative districts in the Pwani Region. As the Mafia Archipelago's main island, it's sometimes called Chole Shamba, meaning Chole farmlands in Swahili. This is in opposition to the historic settlement of Chole Mjini (Chole town) on Chole Island inside Mafia Bay.[2] The island's population is over 65,000.[3][4][5][6] The economy is based on fishing, subsistence agriculture and the market in Kilindoni. The island attracts some tourists, mainly scuba divers, birdwatchers, game fishermen, and people seeking relaxation.[7][8]
Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Sea of Zanj |
Coordinates | 7°51′S 39°47′E |
Archipelago | The Mafia Islands Archipelago |
Total islands | 9 |
Major islands | Juani Island & Jibondo Island |
Area | 435 km2 (168 sq mi) |
Length | 49 km (30.4 mi) |
Width | 17 km (10.6 mi) |
Highest elevation | 53 m (174 ft) |
Highest point | Ndogani |
Administration | |
Region | Pwani Region |
District | Mafia District |
Demographics | |
Population | 66,180 (2022) |
Languages | Swahili |
Ethnic groups | Matumbi, Ndengereko & Rufiji |