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Mozambique is located in Southern Africa on the coast between South Africa and Tanzania. It also shares a border with the landlocked countries Malawi, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Zambia. For years and years internal struggle & civil war prevented Mozambique to become a serious travel destination. The war is over now, and although travel is still quite adventurous in these parts, Mozambique is back on the map.

The capital Maputo is located in the very south of the country close to the border with South Africa. If you are going to South Africa and are curious to see what's accross the border a weekend trip to Maputo gives you some idea.

Other major towns are Beira and Nampula and the ports of Quelimane and Nacala.

Mozambique has some of the best beaches on the East African coast, offering azure waters, coral reefs and subtropical islands, while her people are known for their openness and friendliness. Mozambique's highlights include the Bazaruto archipelago in the south and Pemba in the north of the country.

Corruption runs amok among the border guards and police. While locals will be allowed to get away with almost anything, tourists are frequently stopped and fined for everything under the sun. But don't let this stop you; take Intercape buslines to Maputo if you do not feel comfortable. Bill's Bus now offers convenient service between Swaziland-Maputo-Tofo Beach.

Places of Interest:

Maputo
Maputo, formerly known as Lourenco Marques, after a portuguese explorer who landed here in 1544, is the capital of Mozambique and located all the way in th south of the country. The city is easily reached from Swaziland and South Africa. The city was founded in the 18-th century but not much from that period remains today. The biggest historic attraction in town in the Portuguese fortress, built in 1787. A more recent landmark is the Mousinho de Albuquerque Square in the centre of town.

Beira
The Port of Beira is situated on the Pungoe river estuary. It is the second largest port in Mozambique with 12 quays. Beira has always been essentially a transit port, handling the import and export cargoes from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and other countries in the region. The Beira Corridor has a road and railway connection to Zimbabwe. The city was founded in 1891. It has become a real hub and a good place to arrange formalities etc. before you move on. The town has banks, hotels, restaurants and some interesting shops. One of the most interesting landmarks is the Cathedral of Beira constructed in part using stone from the historic sixteenth-century fort of Sofala. Apparently Sofala’s fort of San Gaetano, erected between 1505 and 1512 from imported Portuguese stone, was one of the first structures built by white men in Southern Africa. The fort was on the southern side of the Pungwe River and like the rest of Sofala has now been flooded by water.

The most fashionable part of town is Macuti Beach, with its famous lighthouse. Some of the more expensive accommadation is in bad need of repair, however. Beira is a good base for going to the Grand etang forest reserve.

Culture

Mozambique's major ethnic groups encompass numerous subgroups with diverse languages, dialects, cultures, and histories. Many are linked to similar ethnic groups living in neighboring countries. The north-central provinces of Zambezia and Nampula are the most populous, with about 45% of the population. The estimated 4 million Makua are the dominant group in the northern part of the country--the Sena and Ndau are prominent in the Zambezi valley, and the Tsonga and Shangaan dominate in southern Mozambique.

Despite the influence of Islamic coastal traders and European colonizers, the people of Mozambique have largely retained an indigenous culture based on small-scale agriculture. Mozambique's most highly developed art forms have been wood sculpture, for which the Makonde in northern Mozambique are particularly renowned, and dance. The middle and upper classes continue to be heavily influenced by the Portuguese colonial and linguistic heritage.

During the colonial era, Christian missionaries were active in Mozambique, and many foreign clergy remain in the country. According to the national census, about 20%-30% of the population is Christian, 15%-20% is Muslim, and the remainder adheres to traditional beliefs.

Under the colonial regime, educational opportunities for black Mozambicans were limited, and 93% of that population was illiterate. In fact, most of today's political leaders were educated in missionary schools. After independence, the government placed a high priority on expanding education, which reduced the illiteracy rate to about two-thirds as primary school enrollment increased. Unfortunately, in recent years school construction and teacher training enrollments have not kept up with population increases. With post-war enrollments reaching all-time highs, the quality of education has suffered.

Many of the cultural traditions of the Mozambican people survived centuries of colonialism. The Makonde in the north are renowned for their ebony sculptures and masks. The Chopi of the south central coast are famous for their complex musical arrangements and dance. Mozambique’s tradition of visual art has produced several modern artists who have achieved international renown. One of the most famous Mozambican artists is Malangatana, whose paintings portray the sufferings of the colonial period and the civil war.

Mozambique enjoys a great range of cultural and linguistic diversity. Islamic culture, Swahili language, and matrilineal Bantu-speaking groups coexist in northern and central regions, reflecting prevailing patterns in neighbouring Tanzania and Malawi. The great variety of people of the Zambezi valley overlap culturally and linguistically with neighbouring Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and patrilineal, cattle-keeping people who share a heritage with neighbouring Nguni-speaking groups in South Africa and Zimbabwe are common in the south. Amid the variety of languages, social relationships, artistic traditions, clothing, and ornamentation patterns is a common theme of dynamic and creative cultural expression in song, oral poetry, dance, and performance.

Although material and performance arts are deeply embedded in daily religious and social expressions, some regional traditions are well known throughout the nation and beyond. The haunting paintings of Malangatana Valente Ngwenya, commonly known as Malangatana, have captured an international audience. Malangatana and the muralist Mankew Valente Muhumana have inspired the formation of artist cooperatives, particularly around Maputo. The carved wooden sculpture and masks of the Makonde people of northern Mozambique and Tanzania and the complex Chopi orchestral performances, or midogo, are among the best-known artistic traditions. Popular music includes the work of Alexandre Langa, Xidimingwana, and the Nampula group Eyuphuro. Soccer is the nation's favourite sporting activity. Mozambique's soccer team competes with other African nations and within the Portuguese-speaking Sporting League, which also includes Angola, Portugal, and Brazil.

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