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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 km and the country covers an area of approximately 800 000 sq 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 km before reaching the sea at Chinde.
The country is divided into 10 administrative provinces.
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 stablility, 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, snorkelling, 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 watersports. 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 birdlife. Arab
dhows operate as water taxis in the Bay of Inhambane.
In the south, tourists can dive with the whale sharks at Ponta do Oura 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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