Maputo

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Maputo , formerly Lourenço Marques, is the capital and largest city of Mozambique. It is known as the City of Acacias in reference to acacia trees commonly found along its venues and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Today it’s a Port City on the Indian Ocean, with its economy centered around the the harbor.

Geography and administration

Maputo is located on the west side of Maputo Bay near the Estuário do Espírito Santo where the rivers Tembe, Umbeluzi, Matola and Infulene drain. The Bay is 95 Kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide. At the extreme east of the city and bay is the island of Inhaca. The total area covered by municipality of Maputo is 346km2 and borders the city of Matola northeast and east, the districts of Marracuene to the north; Boane in the east and Matutuíne at the south all of which are part of Maputo Province. The city is 120 kilometers from the South African border at Ressano Garcia and 80 kilometers from the border with Swaziland near the town of Namaacha.

History

Lourenço Marques was named after the Portuguese navigator who was sent in 1544 by the governor of Mozambique on a voyage of exploration. The Mozambique Liberation Front or FRELIMO fought for independence from Portuguese rule. The People’s Republic of Mozambique was proclaimed on 25 Jue 1975 in accordance with Lusaka Accord signed in 1974. By the early 1980s the country was bankrupt. Money was worthless and shops were empty. Starting shortly after Independence, the country was plagued from 1997 to 1992 by a long and violent civil war opposing FRELIMO to RENAMO.

Culture

Maputo is a melting pot of several cultures. The bantu and Portuguese cultures dominate, but influence of Arab, Indian and Chinese cultures is also felt. The cuisine is diverse, owing especially to the Portuguese and Muslim heritage and seafood is quite abundant.

Architecture

Maputo had always been a center of attention during its formative years and this strong artistic spirit was responsible for attracting some of the world’s most forward architects at the turn of the 20th Century. The city is home to masterpieces of building work by Gustay Eiffel, Pancho Guedes, Herbert Baker and Thomas Honney amongst others.

Climate

Maputo features a tropical savanna climate that borders on a humid subtropical climate. Maputo is a relatively dry city averaging 761mm of precipitation per year. The City has relatively short rainy season lasting from November through March.

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