ABSTRACT
Mafia is a large island lying off the southern coast of Tanzania, near to the Rufiji Delta. The soil of Mafia is mostly sandy and the terrain very flat. There is a ridge forming a backbone to the northern end, but at its highest point it does not exceed 200 feet above sea level. Along this ridge, there is firm and fertile clay soil, and cultivation of annual crops is possible. The climate of Mafia is typically coastal, except that it has an annual rainfall of 76 inches. Mafia has a heterogeneous population, reflecting its chequered history. According to the 1967 census there is a total population of 16,748 persons on the Island, giving a density of 83•7 persons per square mile. The south of the Island is much richer than the north. Apart from the growing of cash crops (coconuts, cashew), fishing is the most important source of income for the majority of people.
