Located on the shores of Eastern Africa, the Republic of Mozambique looks like heaven on earth. It shares borders with countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi, and South Africa and is rich with natural resources such as gold, copper, and iron. Just looking at pictures of this African gem will trigger your wanderlust in the best way possible, making it the newest item on your bucket list! Here are a few fun facts you never knew about this breathtaking place.
The capital is beautiful
The capital city of Mozambique is called Maputo. It is also the biggest city in the nation and is considered to be one of the most beautiful capitals in Africa. The city’s unique landscape includes Middle Eastern architecture, beautiful boulevards, colorful markets, and fascinating museums.
The locals speak Portuguese
The country became independent in 1975 after being occupied by Portugal. A piece of the legacy left by the Portuguese is the language, which is one of the official languages spoken in the country. The first Portuguese settlers came into this beautiful land in 1498 with Vasco De Gama, colonized it, and abused the locals and natural resources, which created a very sad history for the place.
Tribal culture is still going strong
The different tribes within Mozambique have their own regions and rituals. The local tribe of Makonde, for example, lives in the region of Cabo Delgado and has a beautifully preserved tradition. It includes a multitude of tribal rituals, as well as beauty practices such as body tattoos and sharpened teeth. Another local tribe is Makua, which is located in the Nampula region, has its women painting their faces with a white paste called Muciro. They trade with traditional pottery and weave work.
They value their tourists
Tourism is incredibly important to Mozambique’s local economy, and the local ministry of tourism does everything in its power to provide visitors with the best experiences possible. The country takes great care of its national parks, glistening, sandy beaches, and lavish hotels. Also, marine sports fans love to visit Mozambique thanks to its rich variety of aquatic attractions — snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and canoeing.
The islands are a big deal
Tourists mostly visit the Mozambique archipelago, which is comprised of four main islands: Santa Carolina, Magaruque, Benguerra, and Bazaruto. Other than marine sports, the ilands pride themselves with the Bazaruto natural reserve. It is one of the biggest natural reserves in the Indian Ocean and features a wide array of rare birds and wildlife you can’t find anywhere else.
