Maputo, known as Lourenço Marques before independence, 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 avenues, and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Today, it is a port city, with its economy centered on the harbour.
Cotton, sugar, chromite, sisal, copra, and hardwood are the chief exports. The city manufactures cement, pottery, furniture, shoes, and rubber.
To The North is the Province of Gaza, to the South is South Africa, to the West is Swaziland and to the East the Indian Ocean.
The city is surrounded by Maputo Province, but is administered as its own province, Maputo City.
Maputo offers urban tourism in the beautiful capital of the Country and of the Province.
It is renowned for its wide avenues lined with red acácias and lilac Jacaranda trees and offers the visitor not only sun and sea on the magnificent beaches on the Indian Ocean coast, but also trips to the interior to visit the natural park of Maputo, the dam of the “Pequenos Libombos” or as an alternative, the idyllic village of Namaacha.
The Bay of Maputo, together with the rivers Incomati and Maputo define the limits of the capital.
Inhaca Island, in front, is considered a World Biological Heritage site because of the magnificent multicolour coral reefs and the number of rare species of fish to be found in the waters.
Inhaca, at a 15 minutes flight from Maputo, provides good tourist accommodation and is an excellent example of what is to be found on the coast; mangrove swamps, marvelous beaches, wild life and luxurious vegetation.
Near Inhaca are two uninhabited islands, Santa Maria and the “Ilha dos Portugueses”. Boat trips to the islands offer a wonderful day at the beach plus sightings of the various species of fish found by the coral reefs.
