Pemba has a population of roughly 330 000 people, evenly spread around the 980 km² island area. The Capital is Chake-Chake, in the center of the island, close to the shipping port of Wesha and Karume airport. The other major towns are Wete to the North and Mkoani to the south. The population is a mix of Arab and original Swahili inhabitants of the island. Portuguese and Chinese influences are visable in the people also, drawing on the ilsand's rich trading past. The population is almost exclusively Muslim and has been since the Shirazis settled about 1200 AD. The ruins are to the west of the island at Ras Mkumbu.
West of Pemba's capital Chake-Chake, on a long stretched peninsula called Ras Mkumbuu, one can find some of the oldest and best preserved series of early ruins on the islands (Ndagoni ruins, around 14th century). East of Chake-Chake one can find the Mkama Ndume ruins at Pujini village (south of the airport) within easy reach by road from Chake-Chake. This fortification is the only known early fortification on the whole coast of East Africa; it is dated to the fifteenth century. The museum at he old Fort in Chake Chake is also well worth a visit.
The diving is spectacular, rated by many as some of the best in the world. The best diving is found on the NorthWest coast and excursions can easily be arranged from Wete. The lanscape is hilly and mesmerising, as one dip and roll accross the length of the island.
During clove harvesting, around August, the smell of spice is so strong, you can smell it 5 km out to sea on the breeze. A visit to the essential oils factory is just as stimulating to the senses and a pleasure to observe.
The tropical climate assures warm weather all year round, though rainy seasons are quite wet.
