Location Information

Maputo, Mozambique
Language: Portuguese, English
Currency: New Metical (MZN)

Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique, is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa.

Mozambique's first inhabitants were the San hunters and gatherers, ancestors of the Khoisani peoples. Between the first and fourth centuries AD, waves of Bantu-speaking peoples migrated from the north through the Zambezi River valley and then gradually into the plateau and coastal areas. The Bantu were farmers and ironworkers. When Vasco da Gama, exploring for Portugal, reached the coast of Mozambique in 1498, Arab trading settlements had existed along the coast and outlying islands for several centuries, and political control of the coast was in the hands of a string of local sultans. Muslims had actually lived in the region for quite some time.

Climate varies according to area. Inland is cooler than the coast and rainfall higher as the land rises, with most rain between January and March. Hottest and wettest season is October to March. From April to September the coast has warm, mainly dry weather tempered by sea breezes.

Beira has lovely beaches and is the base for trips to Gorongosa National Park (see below). Amongst the numerous beaches in Mozambique are Ponta do Ouro, Malugane (in the south), Inhaca Island (near Maputo), Inhambane with its beach resort of Tofo (about 400km/250 miles north of the capital), Xai-Xai, Vilankulo, São Martino do Bilene and Chonguene.

The cuisine is mainly Portuguese with Far Eastern influences. Specialties are piri-piri chicken, Zambesi chicken, shellfish, including Delagoa Bay prawns (which are grilled and served with piri-piri sauce), matapa (sauce of ground peanuts and cassava leaves) with rice or wusa (stiff maize porridge). Restaurants are to be found in main towns, as well as hotel dining rooms.

Maputo has a lively nightlife, particularly on weekends. Feira Popular is the main forum of evening activity with various bars and discos, some with live music. The style of music in clubs varies from typical Mozambican rhythms to Western pop music.

Maputo, formerly Lourenço Marques, is the capital of Mozambique. Maputo is located in the far south of Mozambique, a port on the Indian Ocean.

Founded in 1876, the city was named after Lourenço Marques, the Portuguese trader who was the first European to explore the area in 1544.

Maputo is a melting pot of several cultures, with a strong South African influence. The Bantu and Portuguese cultures dominate, but the influence of Arab, Indian, and Chinese cultures is also felt. The cuisine is very elaborate, owing especially to the Portuguese and Muslim heritage. Seafood is also very abundant.

Maputo's most important landmark is the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Conceiao (Our Lady of Conception) which was the nucleus of the original settlement. Another imposing building is the Central Railway Station, an enormous structure looking more like a palace for kings, than a siding for commuters.

A regular ferry service takes visitors from Maputo's fishing harbour to Inhaca Island to see the fascinating maritime museum, historic lighthouse and to have lunch or overnight at the hotel. Other visitors head south into the swamplands of the 236,000-hectare Maputo Elephant Reserve where rolling green hills meet the sea. Crocs, hippos, side-striped jackals, antelope and up to 200 elephants are found here.

Medical Precautions:

Compulsory Vaccinations:
Yellow Fever(if coming from an infected area)

Recommended vaccinations:
Hepatitis A
Tetanus
Meningtis

Precuations:
Malaria Prophylaxis