Howdidasmallarchipelagoof1,000squaremilesofftheEastAfricancoastmakesuchalargeimpactontheglobe'spopularimagination?Andhowdiditcometobespokenofinforeignliterarylegendsasafar-offromanticidyll,almostlikeafantasticalplace?
ZanzibarenteredEuropeanimaginationsthroughthetravelwritingofMarcoPolointhe13thcentury