Mozambique

Quick Facts

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Capital

Maputo

Population

17,480,000

Government

Republic

Religions

Christianity (Catholic, Zionist), Islam

Languages

Portuguese, Makhuwa, Tsonga

Calling Code

+258

Nationality

Mozambican

Local name

Mocambique

Introduction

Inhambane Church 2

© All Rights Reserved Nat and Ev

Situated along Africa's southeastern coast, opposite Madagascar, Mozambique's prominence along the coast makes it an ideal tourist destination. Beaches are the country's best attractions, not only because of the excellent coral reefs that mark the coast, but also because many of the other attractions the country could offer are off-limits, due to the presence of landmines.

Indeed, the civil war which tore the nation to shreds has left a dirty stain on Mozambique's canvas, one the reformed government is finding very hard to remove. Maputo was once Mozambique's beautiful capital; now, many buildings are collapsing or collapsed, with the city's former glory a mere shimmer. Safaris are not possible. Thankfully, local culture compensates somewhat: the art produced by Mozambicans is some of the finest and most refined in Africa. And the indelible mark of Portugese colonialism has its bright sides, with crumbling forts turning into crowd-drawers by the day.

Brief History

Geography

Regions/Provinces

Mozambique is made up of 10 provinces. The capital city Maputo also has provincial status.

• Cabo Delgado Province
• Gaza Province
• Inhambane Province
• Manica Province
• Maputo Province
• Nampula Province
• Niassa Province
• Sofala Province
• Tete Province
• Zambezia Province==

Cities

• Maputo
• Xai-Xai
• Beira
• Tete
• Quelimane
• Nampula
• Matola

Sights and Activities

Limpopo National Park

The Limpopo National Park is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which also contains the Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe. Since many of the animals here were killed during the civilian war in Mozambique, there has been a huge translocation of animals from the adjacent Kruger National Park and a border between the two countries has been opened up recently as well. This way, it is possible to visit some more remote parts of the Transfrontier Park, but you will need the proper visa and vehicle (4wd) to get to the Mozambique parts, as infrastructure as well as accommodation is still basic. That said, there is no doubt about it that this national park is a good opportunity to see the wildlife (including the big five) in its natural setting, still without too much visitors and vehicles.

Bazaruto Archipelago

The Bazaruto Archipelago is located along the central coastal part of the country near the city of Vilankulo and consists of five islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaraque, Banque and Santa Carolina. There are great beaches to explore and the forest and wetland habitat houses a surprisinly high number of brids and many species of flora and fauna. The diving and snorkeling here is fantastic and you will definately see numerous colourful fish, turtles.

Ilha de Moçambique

Ilha de Moçambique

© All Rights Reserved enrikx

Ilha de Moçambique (Mozambique Island) is located in the north of the country along the coast near Nampula. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage list and not without reason. The Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, built in 1522, is considered to be the oldest European building in the southern hemisphere and this places has been a port since the 15th century. The Fort of Sao Sebastiao (now called Stone Town) became the capital of Portugese East Africa until 1898, when present day Maputo became the capital. Also the port function has been taken over by Nacala, but history remains in this fantastic place.

Maputo

The capital is vibrant and colourful place with many historical and cultural significant buildings, many of them dating back to the Portugese colonial period. Read more in the Maputo article.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Mozambique enjoys a tropical climate with generally warm to hot and humid weather. There are two seasons, a dry and cool season from April to October and a warmer and wetter season from November to March. Temperatures usually vary from around 25 degrees Celcius during the day from June to September and around 30 degrees from December to March, at night dropping to around 23 and 17 degrees respectively. Most rain falls from January to March and these are probably the one months to avoid if you can, because hurricanes can strike the country, especially hitting the coastline.

Getting there

Plane

LAM Mozambique Airways is the national airline of Mozambique and has its base at Maputo International Airport (MPM) near the capital. International destinations include flights to and from Durban, Johannesburg and Nairobi. Other airlines serving the country are South African Airways (Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town), TAP Portugal (Lisbon, Johannesburg), Air Zimbabwe (Harare) and Kenya Airways (Nairobi). Swaziland is served as well.

By Train

By Car

There is a well maintained road between Johannesburg and Maputo and it takes around 7 to 8 hours including border formalities.

By Bus

The capital Maputo is easily reached by frequent daily buses to and from Johannesburg in South Africa, taking about 8 to 9 hours. Pretoria and Nelspruit (the latter is close to Kruger National Park) can be reached as well from Maputo. Minibuses travel between Maputo and Manzini in Swaziland, taking about 3,5 hours including border formalities.

By Boat

Getting around

Plane

LAM Mozambique Airways flies between Beira, Chimoio, Inhambane, Nampula, Pemba, Quelimane, Tete and Vilanculos. Air Corridor has flights between Beira, Nampula, Quelimane and Tete.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

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