Mozambique: The Facts

History

The Bantu people settled in Mozambique about 2,000 years ago, setting up the great Mwenemutapa Empire. By about 900 AD trading links had been forged with India, Persia, China and above all with the Arab world, with gold being the major lure for the merchants.

It was this precious metal that first attracted the Portuguese to Mozambique. Vasco da Gama  landing here on his way to India in 1498.

The Portuguese then set up their first trading post in 1505, exporting gold and challenging Arab domination.

By the late 17^th century, ivory had replaced gold as the main export, while some 50 years later slaves became the major attraction.

Mozambique was governed from Portuguese India (Goa) until 1752, when it was brought under control from Lisbon.

In the early part of the 20^th century vast tracts of land were rented to and administered by private companies. Agriculture became the main activity, creating huge numbers of poor, rural black workers, while a policy of white supremacy was pursued.

Repression and exploitation provoked a backlash which led to the growth of the independence movement and the founding, in 1962, of freedom organisations like Frelimo. Armed struggle led to independence on June 25,1975. A 17-year-long civil war broke out between government forces and Renamo, a conflict resolved in 1992 by the Treaty of Rome. Multi-party elections were held in October 1994 with Frelimo emergingas victors.

Mozambique joined the commonwealth in 1995, and is now building on its stability by promoting foreign investment and tourism.

Geography

Mozambique covers an area of over 800,000 sq.km, three time the size of Great Britain. .Situated to the south east of the African continent, it shares borders with six others commonwealth countries. Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia to the north; Zimbabwe to the west; and South Africa   and Swaziland to the south.

The 2,500 Km long coastline boasts superb beaches fringed by lagoons, coral reefs and strings of small islands.

A vast, low , grassland plateau, which rises from the coast towards the mountains in the north and west, covers nearly half the country’s land area. The population is concentrated along the coast and the fertile river valleys. The Zambezi is the largest of the country’s 25 rivers.

Mozambique, rich in mineral resources such as gold, emeralds ,copper ,iron ore and bauxitie, is currently engaged in oil exploration.

Climate

Tropical to sub-tropical with coastal temperatures high for much of the year while the interior is warm to mild, even in the cooler dry season from April to September.

In the south the hot ,humid rainy seasons from December to March, farther north this period lengthens by a few weeks. The coast of northern Mozambique is occasionally affected by tropical cyclones. It is usually sunny throughout  the year.

The Islands :

Bazaruto Archipelago

The most popular tourist area in Mozambique, the consists of four main islands- Bazaruto, Benguera, Magaruque, and Santa Carolina. They are situated some 35Km off the mainland and are accessible by boat, or small aircraft, from the town of Vilanculos.

High quality accommodation attracts international visitors who, as well as swimming and sunbathing, can take part in numbers of outdoors activities and a full range of water-sports that includes snorkelling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, sailing and water-skiiing. Small antelope roam the islands, alongside fresh-water crocodiles, mangrove crabs and samango monkeys while flamingo nest on the fresh water lakes.

The islands are in fact home to over 240 varieties of birds including fish eagles ,bee-eaters , harriers, ospreys and the elusive crab plover and green coucal. Bazaruto Marina Park now covers the entire Bazaruto Archipelago making this 1400 sq km reserve one of the largest in the Ocean. In addition to humpback whales dolphins, manta rays and five species of turtle, some 100 dugongs survive here- one of the very few viable populations on the East African coast

Inhaca

 About 34KM out into Maputo Bay, Inhaca Island offers many different activities including a tractor ride to the lighthouse or a visit to the Marine Biology Museum. Scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, parasailing , windsurfing and surf or deep-sea fishing are just some of the exciting activities. An excursion to neighbouring Portuguese Island or an escape to the “wild-side”of the island-with its crashing surf, deep ,blue sea and glorious wind- are also recommended. The abundant wildlife includes flamingo, pelicans and loggerhead turtles.

Quirimbas Archipelago

Consisting of 32 coral islands, including the beautiful Ibo Island, and stretching from Pemba to the Rovuma River on the border with Tanzania, the area is slowly being developed as an exclusive tourist paradise. There is ample opportunity for relaxation while scuba diving, snorkelling, deep-sea-fishing,sailing,surf-casting and bird watching are just some of the activities on offer. The southern most of the islands, and a vast expanse of mainland forest, from the recently declared Quirimbas

National Park.

Elephants, leopards, lion, buffalo, wild dog and an amazing bird life may be seen here while the marine fauna and flora includes sharks,sea turtles; humpback whales the occasional dugong and over types of coral.

…and Beaches

All the coastal provides boast superb beaches some of the best of which are listed in other places to visit.