QUILOA, or KEELWA, a seaport-town of Zanguebar, on the E. coast of Africa, on an island about 10 miles long and 6 broad, 225 miles N. of Mozambique; S. Lat. 8. 57., E. Long. 39. 47. From the middle of a grove of palms rise the whitewashed flat-roofed houses of the town, and the domes and minarets of its mosques. The streets are narrow, and the buildings generally substantial. Some remains of former fortifications are still in pretty good preservation; and there is a fort capable of containing a strong garrison, though mounted with no guns. The harbour is large and deep, accessible to vessels of any size. Quiloa was once a place of much importance; and its monarchs held sway over the country as far south as Sofala. It was taken and burned by the Portuguese in 1505, but abandoned by them soon after, on account of its unhealthiness. It was subsequently rebuilt, and has recovered some degree of its former prosperity, being subject now to the Imam of Muscat. Pop. from 6000 to 8000.