Maputo, previously called
Lourenzo Marques, is the sprawling capital of Mozambique. There is a population
of about 2 million people and a large harbour.
Several rivers spill into the sea around here and two islands - Inhaca
and Portuguese Island - lie just off the coast. In 1898 central authority
for the country was transferred from Mozambique Island to Lourenzo
Marques. The city quickly became established as a trade and industry
centre and as a port to serve the gold fields of South Africa. Under
Portuguese influence, Lourenzo Marques became one of Africa’s
most beautiful and fashionable cities, with an impressive skyline of
tall buildings and a cosmopolitan Portuguese/African atmosphere attracting
many visitors. Places like the Polana Hotel buzzed with the chatter
of socialites, and the nightclubs thumped until the early hours. The
war in the 1970s and 80s changed all that. When it was over
the once proud city was in terrible disrepair. Thousands of immigrants
crowded the buildings; litter lay everywhere and major services including
water and electricity were out of commission. A lot has changed since
then. The city is now reinventing itself and undergoing a massive
facelift. The Portuguese influence remains clearly evident.
Going out for coffee is a national pastime, and the Portuguese pastelarias
(pastry and coffee shops) dot the streets. There are also some excellent
- and fantastically expensive - restaurants, where you can enjoy beers
and Mozambique’s famous spicy peri-peri prawns. The bars
and night spots have a distinctively Latin feel.
From Maputo’s fishing harbour, a regular ferry service takes
visitors to Inhaca Island to see the fascinating maritime museum and historic lighthouse, and to have lunch or stay overnight at the hotel. Other
visitors head north to the spectacular beaches and coral reefs around
Inhambane and Vilanculos.
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