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 Situated on the east coast of Southern Africa, Mozambique has a vibrant mix of
African, Portuguese and Arab cultures. Its coastline stretches for nearly 3,000 kilometres and the country covers an area of approximately 800 000
km˛. Its inland
waters include a portion of Lake Malawi. Long, winding rivers flow across its
territory, including the Zambezi, which has its source in Angola. The Zambezi
enters Mozambique at the country's western most border in the Tete province, and
flows almost 800 kilometres before reaching the sea at Chinde.
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The
capital,
Maputo, is situated in the south of the country. Maputo has a
rich Portuguese and African heritage and buildings of historical significance
still remain, such as the old fort and the railway station. The National Art
Museum, the Museum of the Revolution and the Museum of Natural History, housed
in a gothic-styled palace, are all worth a visit. The Costa do Sol open market
sells beautiful local arts and crafts, and there are many other bustling and
colourful markets in the city. The capital is also known for its vibrant
nightlife.
Beira, in the north, is the second largest city and has an
international harbour. Struck more than any other city by the ravages of war,
the city is undergoing a total face-lift.
The
population of Mozambique now exceeds 15 million people. Portuguese is the
official language and English is also fairly widely spoken. Its history can be
traced back approximately 1 700 years when the area was settled by migrating
tribes, who dominated the more peaceful nomadic tribes and intermarried with
them. Trading posts were later established by Portuguese settlers and these
became very popular ports of call along the east coast. The Portuguese resisted
various onslaughts from different invaders and in 1919 Portuguese colonial rule
was established. After a war of national liberation, Mozambique eventually
became independent on 25 June 1975. After many difficult years
post-independence, foreign currency has started to pour into Mozambique with the
return of stability, and tourism us at the forefront of the nation's
rehabilitation.
The
climate of the country varies from tropical to subtropical, with the coastal
regions generally hotter and more humid than the inland plateau and mountainous
areas. The coastal resorts offer a variety of activities such as swimming,
snorkeling, fishing, scuba-diving, yachting, board-sailing and skiing.
Mozambique has endless sandy, palm-fringed beaches and the coastline is dotted
with many islands, including the
Bazaruto Archipelago, comprising the islands of Bazaruto, Magaruque, Benguerra and Santa Carolina. The tranquil
surroundings are ideal for bird-watching, fishing, diving and a variety of
water sports. The spectacular coral reefs which stretch along much of the coast
are a paradise for divers and snorkellers. There are opportunities for night
and wreck dives, and conditions are ideal for underwater photography. For
sports fishermen, marlin, barracuda, swordfish and sailfish are abundant in the
clear blue waters.
Inhaca Island, situated a short boat ride from the Maputo,
has incredible natural beauty and is well known for its diverse bird life. Arab
dhows operate as water taxis in the Bay of Inhambane. In the south, tourists
can dive with the whale sharks at
Ponta do Ouro and
Ponta Malongane.
In the
north, Mozambique Island has forts, palaces and mosques dating back to the 16th
century. These include the Fortress of St. Sebastian, St. Paul's Palace, which
is now a museum, and the Hindu Temple near the market. The
Gorongoza National
Park has recently been revamped and is being returned to its former glory. The
park is open to tourists and has a wide variety of fauna, flora and superb
landscapes.
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