Mozambique- a state in southeast Africa. It borders on Tanzania in the north, South Africa and Swaziland in the south and southwest, and Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi in the west. In the east it is washed by the Mozambique Channel.

The name of the country comes from the name of Sultan Musa Ben Mbik.

Capital

Square

Population

19400 thousand people

Administrative division

The state is divided into 11 provinces.

Form of government

Republic.

Head of State

President, elected for a term of 5 years.

Supreme legislative body

Assembly of the Republic.

Supreme executive body

Government.

Big cities

Beira, Nampula.

Official language

Portuguese.

Religion

60% are pagans, 30% are Christians, 10% are Muslims.

Ethnic composition

47% are Makua Lomwe, 23% are Tsonga.

Currency

Climate

The climate in Mozambique is tropical. In the summer months, the average monthly temperature is about + 27 °C, and in the winter - + 20 °C. The rainy season lasts from April to October, precipitation falls 1300-1500 mm per year in the north, 500-1000 mm in the south.

Flora

Forests cover about 20% of the state's territory. In the south there are tropical forests with valuable tree species (ebony, ironwood, rosewood, etc.). In the river valleys, moist gallery forests intertwined with lianas have been preserved, and along the coast there are mangrove forests.

Fauna

The fauna of Mozambique is rich - elephant, antelope, zebra, rhinoceros, lion, leopard, jackal, hyena, bull, crocodile, monkeys stand out, among insects - termites, mosquitoes. A large number of snakes and birds.

Rivers and lakes

The largest rivers are the Zambezi, Limpopo, Savi, Ruvuma. Lake Nyasa is partially located on the territory of the state.
Attractions. In Maputo there is a Museum of Natural History, in Tete there is a Catholic Cathedral from 1563. The country's national parks are widely known.

Useful information for tourists

The thriving trade in gold and ivory raised the civilization of Mozambique to one of the highest levels in Africa, and to this day the depths of the country conceal many mysteries and secrets of past eras. Tourists are attracted to the country mainly by its beautiful sandy beaches. The beautiful coastlines of Tofu, Moma, Langoshe, Lurio and Cape Barra are legendary holiday destinations.

Capital - Maputo

Geographical location and relief

The state is located in the southeastern part of Africa. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean. It borders with countries such as Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi in the north, Zimbabwe in the west, South Africa and Swaziland in the southwest. The terrain is heterogeneous; hills and mountains predominate in the north and western border, while the central, southern and coastal parts of the country are low-lying with numerous swamps.

Economy

Mozambique is an agricultural country with a high level of poverty. More than 80% of workers are engaged in agriculture. The main crops grown are cashew, sugar cane, coconut palm, cotton, peanuts, sorghum, etc. Logging and fishing are carried out. Industry is poorly developed. The country has enterprises for processing agricultural raw materials, producing soap, drinks, cigarettes, etc. Natural resources such as copper, coal, bauxite, iron and tantalum ores are extracted in the mining industry. The state's economy depends on international assistance.

Climate

The northern part of the state is located in the subequatorial climate zone, the southern part is tropical humid. There are two seasons: dry and wet (November-April). Average temperatures in most of the country in January are +30 °C, in July - + 22 °C.

Population

The population is 28,830 thousand people. The ethnic composition includes many peoples and nationalities: Makua, Malawi, Shona, Tsonga, Yao and others.

Geographical location of Mozambique. Mozambique extends for 2,500 km along the southeastern coast of the Mozambique Channel of the Indian Ocean in the southeast of the African continent. In the north it borders with Tanzania, in the south and southwest - with South Africa and Swaziland, in the west - with Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. The country's topography is very diverse and picturesque.

Almost half of the country is occupied by the Mozambique Lowland, reaching a width of 400 km in the south, and narrowing to several tens of kilometers in the north. A slightly hilly plain overgrown with tropical forests gently rises to the west to 350-400 m above sea level. In the north there is the Nyasa plateau (average heights 500-1000 m, individual peaks rise up to 2000 m), breaking down to the lake of the same name, and in the west and northwest there are the crystalline plateaus of Mozambique, Angoni and Motabeli with the highest point of the country - Mount Binga (2436 m). In the southwest, near the border with South Africa, rise the volcanic Lebombo Mountains. Part of Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) also lies on the territory of the country.

Total area - 801.6 thousand square meters. km.

The capital is Maputo.

Mozambique time

It is 2 hours behind Moscow.

Visa to Mozambique

Russian citizens need a visa to visit Mozambique.

According to the 1997 census, Mozambicans identify themselves with the following denominations:

Non-religious (perhaps many in this group retain traditional beliefs) - 24.25%;

Catholics - 24.2%;

Muslims - 17.8%;

Non-Catholic Christians (mostly Protestants) - 11.45%;

Syncretic cults (a mixture of different religions, for example, combining elements of Christianity and traditional African beliefs) - 18.7%;

Others - 3.6%.

LANGUAGE: In addition to Portuguese, English is also used (especially in the capital). The most common local languages ​​are Imakua (Makua), Chinyanja (Malawi), Chishona (Shona) and Shangaan (Tsonga).

Climate.

The climate in the north is subequatorial monsoon, in the south it is tropical trade wind, there are almost no temperature differences between seasons (average temperatures are 25-28C). In the southern part of the country, average temperatures are slightly lower (about 20C), and the amount of precipitation is less: 750-1,000 mm falls here per year, while in the northern part of the country and on the windward slopes of the plateaus - up to 1,500 mm.

Mozambique has significant potential for the development of the tourism business: sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean coast, high average annual air and water temperatures, picturesque Niassa Island, diversity of flora and fauna, extensive hunting grounds and conditions for deep-sea hunting for exotic fish (marlin, etc.) . Best time to travel - July-September

Vegetable world.

The northern part of Mozambique is characterized by light forests, in the center of the country there are light tropical forests, the species composition of which is dominated by brachystegia and Mlandja cedar. To the south of the Zambezi River, tall grass savannas with groups of acacias and baobabs appear.

Animal world.

The fauna of Mozambique is rich and diverse: herds of elephants, hippopotamuses, ungulates, an abundance of lions and crocodiles live here; There are rare white rhinoceros and Kaffir buffalo. Lots of birds: toucans and parrots, marabou and hawks. The coastal waters are home to sawfish, swordfish, and many shrimp and lobsters.

Mozambique is one of the most ancient countries in the world.

Tourists are attracted to the country mainly by its beautiful sandy beaches. The beautiful coastlines of Tofu, Moma, Langosche, Lurio and Cape Barra were legendary places until recently and are quickly regaining their former fame.

The capital of the country, Maputo, grew up on the site of a Portuguese fort founded in 1781, from which the ramparts, old guns and a grassy courtyard have been preserved. Almost no ancient buildings have survived in the city.

Also of interest are the Botanical Gardens, the National Art Museum, which has an excellent collection of Mozambique's best contemporary artists, and the vibrant Municipal Market, which sells a variety of fruits, vegetables, spices and traditional basketry from local artisans.

Beira is 880 km away. north of Maputo, the second largest city in Mozambique, is the main port and terminus of the Trans-African Railway. Its compact central area and old Mediterranean-style buildings give the city a special charm. The heart of the city is the Praça (main square), which is surrounded by shops, markets and offices.

National parks and reserves in Mozambique

One of the most beautiful places on the continent is the Bazaruto Archipelago Marine National Park, 10 km away. off the coast, with blue waters, sandy shores, palm trees, ancient coral reefs, plus a myriad of tropical fish inhabiting these waters. Scuba diving and excellent fishing are possible here. The entire area between the mainland and the 150 islands is now protected as a world-class nature reserve. If you stay in one of the dozens of luxury houses on the islands, it is quite possible to rent a speedboat for a mini-cruise around the archipelago.

Also quite interesting are the country's national parks - Gorongosa, Banyine, Zinave, etc., which have a whole range of natural attractions and unique wildlife.

Shops and souvenirs.

At local markets you can buy all kinds of crafts: wicker baskets and mats decorated with beads, gourd vessels (calabashes), carved wood products, smoking pipes, masks and clay vessels.

In Mozambique, everything that does not have a price tag is negotiable.

Communications in MOZAMBIQUE

There is no Internet.

Mobile communications are not supported.

Mozambique on the map of Africa
(all pictures are clickable)

On the map of Africa, Mozambique is hard to miss - it ranks 16th in the territorial ranking (total area - 801.6 thousand km²). The country shares land borders with Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi (in the north and northwest), Zimbabwe (in the west), South Africa and tiny Swaziland (in the south). The entire eastern border (about three thousand kilometers) is the coast of the Indian Ocean.

Geographical position

A long coastline with a large number of natural harbors is one of the main geographical advantages of Mozambique. The southern part of the state is continuous lowlands, swampy in places, but above the Zambezi River moderately high plateaus and hilly plains with small inclusions of mountain ranges prevail.

Not all of East Africa can boast such fresh water reserves as Mozambique. Six large rivers flow through its territory (from the west towards the ocean), and Lake Nyasa is located on the border with Malawi (in the northwestern part of the country).

The state is located in two climatic regions: subequatorial and tropical. The temperature is quite stable throughout the year: in the southern lowlands - from +25 to +30 °C, in the area of ​​the northern plateaus it is five degrees cooler.

The amount of precipitation depends on the season: from November to May, catastrophically powerful cyclones often hit the coast; in winter (from June to October) there is practically no rain. At this time, Mozambique (like other African countries) may suffer from total drought.

Flora and fauna

In the south of the country, savannas predominate, to the north of the Zambezi - tropical and mountain forests, as well as miombo - a special deciduous woodland. On the coast there are areas of mangroves, and river beds are covered with a thick canopy of vines. Here you can find ebony, red and iron wood, date palms.

The abundance of suitable habitat attracts a wide variety of birds and animals. National parks have been created throughout the country, where rhinoceroses, giraffes, hippos, elephants, zebras, and leopards are found. In the savannah, lions hunt ungulates; monkeys and lemurs thrive in the forests. The coastal waters are home to amazing sawfish.

State structure

Mozambique Map

The Republic of Mozambique is led by a popularly elected president. The local unicameral parliament is represented mainly by two parties with real political weight.

The country is officially divided into eleven districts, each headed by a governor appointed by the president. The capital and largest city is Maputo, which arose on the site of a trading post founded by the Portuguese back in the 18th century.

Population

If at the end of the 20th century, according to the census, there were 15 million citizens in the country, today more than 25 million people live here. The reason is the high birth rate (for this indicator Mozambique ranks twelfth in the world). At the same time, life expectancy is short (on average about 52 years).

The vast majority of Mozambican citizens are descendants of ancient aborigines. People from Asia and Europe make up less than one percent. The official language is Portuguese, but the majority of the population uses one of the local dialects in everyday life.

The state is extremely tolerant of issues of faith: the number of Catholics, Muslims, Protestants, atheists and followers of various national cults is approximately the same.

Economy

Despite the deposits of in-demand minerals (iron ore, gas, coal, non-ferrous metals, titanium), the state remains agrarian - about 80% of local residents work in the agricultural sector. The main income comes from the export of timber, seafood, cashews, sugar, cotton, and citrus fruits.

At the same time, the country has a well-developed infrastructure: major cities are connected by local airlines, and there is a network of railways. Tourism is actively developing. Recently, foreign companies have been more willing to invest in the state economy, which, according to experts, has emerged from the depression.

Mozambique, which was a Portuguese colony for several centuries, gained real independence only in 1975. Subsequently, a series of ill-conceived and unpopular reforms led to the collapse of the economy, mass emigration and many years of civil war with a huge number of casualties (peace was achieved only in 1992). Today, the confrontation between the leading political parties remains, but it occurs in a civilized manner - through electoral struggle.

Attractions

National parks and luxurious beaches are the main attractions of the state. In Maputo, tourists enjoy visiting the Natural History Museum, and in Beira they go to stroll through the markets and small handicraft shops. Travelers are advised to visit the tiny island of Ile de Mozambique with its unique ancient architecture.

Mozambique photo

Capital - Maputo (1.2 million people – 2003).
Time differences not with Moscow.
Ethnic groups
Mozambique is a multi-ethnic state (50 ethnic groups). The current composition of the population is the result of numerous migrations of African peoples, colonial activities (mainly Portuguese) and trading activities of Arabs and Indians. 99.66% of the population are people belonging to the Bantu language family. The largest in number are the Makua (Lomwe, Lolo, Makua, Mato, Mikhavani, Nguru, etc.) and Tsonga (Bila, Jonga, Ronga, Tswa, Shangaan, Shengwe, Shona, etc.) groups of peoples living in the northeast southern provinces), respectively making up approx. 40 and 23% of the population. Other ethnic groups include Makonde, Malawi (Nyanja, Pozo, Tumbuka, Chwambo, Chewa, Chipeta, etc. - about 11%), Swahili, Tonga, Chopi, Yao, etc. The southern provinces are particularly diverse in the ethnic composition of the population. The administrative apparatus is traditionally formed mainly from the south (which causes discontent among residents of the northern provinces), since most of the literate and educated population is concentrated in the south. After independence, the majority of the European population left the country. Europeans (about 20 thousand people - 0.06%) and people from Asian countries (Indians, Pakistanis - 0.08%) live mainly in cities. Creoles (descendants of intermarriages between Portuguese and other European settlers and Africans) make up 0.2%.
The country's rural population is approx. 80% (2003). Large cities - Maputo, Beira (488 thousand people), Matola (440.9 thousand people), Nampula (305 thousand people) and Shai-Shai (263 thousand people) - 1997. At the end of 19 and throughout most of the 20th century. the country was an active supplier of labor resources to the countries of Southern Africa (one third of the male population of the southern provinces went to work in South Africa every year). 180 thousand Mozambican refugees (out of 320 thousand people forced to flee from civil war and famine) became permanent residents of South Africa, 30 thousand people. repatriated to their homeland.
Language
In addition to Portuguese, English is also used (especially in the capital). The most common local languages ​​are Imakua (Makua), Chinyanja (Malawi), Chishona (Shona) and Shangaan (Tsonga).
National currency - metical. 1 US dollar = 22450 metical
Religion
OK. 50% of the indigenous population adhere to traditional beliefs and cults (animalism, fetishism, cult of ancestors and forces of nature, etc.), 30% (5 million people) profess Christianity, 20% (4 million people) are Sunni Muslims and Shiites. The small (several thousand people) Hindu community consists of people from the Hindustan Peninsula who live mainly in Maputo and port cities. There are also several Afro-Christian churches. Christianity began to spread in the end. 15th century Catholics predominate among Christians. The Muslim community includes Comorians, Pakistanis living in the country, as well as some Indians and Mauritians.
Geographical position
A continental state, the eastern part of which is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean: the territory stretches from north to south for 1850 km, with the northern part divided into two large regions by the enclave of Malawi, which penetrates deeply into the country. It borders on the north with Tanzania, on the west on Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, on the southwest on Swaziland and on the south on the Republic of South Africa. The length of the coastline is 2470 km.

Relief and geology
 45% of the territory is occupied by the coastal lowland. Low mountains (10% of the territory) are located in the northwest. The highest point is Binga (2437 m). Deposits of lithium, niobium, tantalum, thorium, uranium and zirconium are of global importance. Minerals - iron, granite, copper, marble, natural gas, bauxite, graphite, gold, tin, silver, coal, as well as precious and semi-precious stones - aquamarines, beryls, garnets, emeralds, topazes.
Climate
The climate of the northern regions is subequatorial, monsoon, and the central and southern regions are tropical trade wind. Two seasons: wet (summer - November-March) and dry (winter - June-October). Average annual air temperatures are +22°–27° C, in mountainous areas – +18°. Precipitation occurs in the form of tropical downpours and floods occur. 2/3 of the territory receives less than 1000 mm of precipitation per year and is subject to regular droughts (3 out of 10 years are dry). The mountains receive more than 1000 mm of precipitation per year.
Inland waters
The country is covered with a dense network of rivers flowing into the Indian Ocean: Zambezi, Incomati, Ligonya, Limpopo, Lurio, Ruvuma, Savi, etc. The largest of them is the Zambezi River. 460 km of its channel in Mozambique (out of 850 km) are navigable. In winter, most rivers become shallow. Apart from the natural freshwater Lake Nyasa, there are no large lakes. During the rainy season, seasonal lakes - pens - are formed. 2% of the territory is occupied by swamps.
Vegetable world
OK. 2/3 of the territory is covered with light tropical forests of miombo and savannas. Miombos are common in the north and consist of 80% trees of the brachystegia type (deciduous from the legume family), Berlinia, combretum, lianas and julbernardia (acacia) are also found. In the river valleys grow ironwood, redwood, rosewood and ebony, palms (Guinea, fan, raffia, date) and silk acacia, and in the mountains - brown mahogany and mahogany, Mulland cedar and podocarpus (yellow tree). There are mangrove forests at the mouths of rivers and on the coast. Tall grass savannas with low-growing trees (acacia, baobab, bauhinya, kaffra, sausage tree (kigelia), sclerocaria, terminalia) predominate in the center and south. In arid areas, acacias and mopane grow - broad-leaved trees from the legume family.
Animal world
The fauna is extremely rich, especially the world of birds - turtle doves, marabou, parrots, owls, ostriches, weaver birds, toucans, hoopoes, herons and hawks. Large mammals (buffalo, giraffe, wild boar, rhinoceroses and elephants) live mainly in national parks. Antelopes, hippopotamuses, civets, wolves, hyenas, wild goats, zebras, crocodiles, lemurs, leopards, lions, monkeys and jackals are common. Lots of reptiles (cobras, pythons, horned snakes, turtles and lizards) and insects. Coastal waters are rich in fish (swordfish, sawfish, sardines, tuna), shrimp and lobsters.
Economy
Mozambique is an agricultural country. One of the poorest countries in the world, however, is seen as a developing country with a dynamic economy.
Agriculture. The share of agriculture in GDP is 22% (2001). The increase in agricultural production averages 6.2% (in 1998 – 8%). One of the few African countries in which there is no “land hunger”: fertile land accounts for 36 million hectares, but only 5.4 million hectares (15%) are cultivated. The economic development of new lands is complicated by the danger of numerous mines left after the civil war. Irrigated lands occupy an area of ​​120 thousand hectares. The share of agricultural products in exports is approx. 25%. The main food crops are corn (70% of all grains) and cassava (cassava). They grow oranges, peanuts, bananas, melons, legumes, potatoes, coconuts, sesame, mangoes, cashew and kola nuts, papaya, sunflowers, rice, sugarcane, sisal, sorghum, tobacco, cotton and tea. Livestock farming (cattle, goats, pigs and sheep) is concentrated in the southern provinces, where the tsetse fly is not common. Most farms raise chickens. Since the 1990s, fisheries have developed rapidly, mainly catching shrimp, sharks, crayfish and lobsters. Growth in fisheries in the end. 1990s amounted to 30.5% annually. Experts believe that up to 500 thousand tons of fish and 14 thousand tons of shrimp can be caught annually in Mozambique’s maritime economic zone. In 1999, Japan allocated $3.4 million to modernize the Maputo fishing port, including the installation of large refrigeration facilities. The development of forestry is greatly damaged by predatory logging and smuggling of valuable tree species abroad.
Attractions
Mozambique is one of the most ancient countries in the world. Humans have lived here for over 2 million years, and the first fossil remains of Homo sapiens were first discovered in this area. Various peoples, many of whom have now disappeared from the face of the Earth, have swept through this land in waves of migrations for at least 100,000 years. About 2,000 years ago, Bantu peoples began migrating into the area, bringing iron tools and weapons, and formed the basis of the country's modern population. The thriving trade in gold and ivory raised the civilization of Mozambique to one of the highest levels in Africa, and to this day the depths of the country conceal many mysteries and secrets of past eras. Tourists are attracted to the country mainly by its beautiful sandy beaches. The beautiful coastlines of Tofu, Moma, Langosche, Lurio and Cape Barra were legendary places until recently and are quickly regaining their former fame. The Tofu area is more accessible and more developed, with a hotel and a well-organized recreational structure that has suffered fairly little damage. Barra is somewhat more inaccessible, but quieter, and with somewhat better conditions: clean dunes with constant surf on one side and mangrove forests and palm groves on the other side of the cape, where flocks of almost tame parrots and monkeys are quite common. The capital of the country, Maputo, grew up on the site of a Portuguese fort founded in 1781, from which the ramparts, old guns and a grassy courtyard have been preserved. Almost no ancient buildings have survived in the city. Maputo was previously known as a very beautiful city and was rated by travelers on par with Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro, but after almost 20 years of war and deprivation the capital is very dilapidated, with crumbling buildings and dirty streets. However, it is still a very interesting place, with a very lively atmosphere and friendly residents, slowly but surely regaining its former charm. Among the city's attractions are the Natural History Museum and the train station, designed and built at the beginning of the 20th century. the same Eiffel who created the famous tower in Paris. The newly renovated station looks more like a palace, topped by a giant copper dome with polished wood and marble decorations. Also of interest are the Botanical Gardens, the National Art Museum, which has an excellent collection of Mozambique's best contemporary artists, and the vibrant Municipal Market, which sells a variety of fruits, vegetables, spices and traditional basketry from local artisans. Beira is 880 km away. north of Maputo, the second largest city in Mozambique, is the main port and terminus of the Trans-African Railway. Its compact central area and old Mediterranean-style buildings give the city a special charm. The heart of the city is the Praça (main square), which is surrounded by shops, markets and offices. The cathedral, lying to the southeast of the center, looks somewhat unkempt, but has certainly retained the former grandeur of its inner stop. The bustling market in Chunga Moyo ("brave heart") is full of imported goods and contraband. The coast near Praia de Macuti is called “beautiful sands” (and quite rightly). The entire coast of this area is rich in various cases of finds of shipwrecks from past centuries, especially many of them are thrown ashore by the surf near the “red” and “white” lighthouses at the northern end of the beach. Pemba, a coastal town at the throat of a large bay in the north of the country, boasts interesting buildings, especially in Baixa, the old town, and the lively atmosphere of its streets. Most visitors come here for the gorgeous beaches, especially Wimby Beach (or Wimbe) and the coral reefs located so close to the shore that they can be easily reached by swimming. Wimby is 5 km away. east of the city. A rapidly recovering tourism industry is already transforming the area into a luxury resort with bars, restaurants, water entertainment centers and well-equipped facilities for diving, snorkeling, rowing, fishing, surfing and more. On the road between the town and the beach there is a Makonde craft shop that produces beautiful wooden figurines for sale at very low prices. The Cathedral of 1563 in the city of Tete, 150 km away, is interesting. to the southeast down the Zambezi River, however, to visit it you must have permission from the authorities, which is due to the turbulent situation in the area. 500 km. to the northwest of the coast, the Zambezi River is dammed by the enormous Dam de Cajora Basso, built in the 1970s, one of the largest civil engineering projects in Africa. Lying in stunning scenery at the neck of a magnificent gorge, the dam created the majestic Lago de Cajora Bassa, 270 km away. long, stretching upstream to the confluence of the Zambezi and Luangwa rivers on the border with Zambia. The island of Ile de Mozambique (commonly called simply "Ile") is a small piece of land located 3 km. from the mainland and connected by a bridge, was previously the capital of the East African colony of Portugal. Il is now famous for its many mosques and churches and its Hindu temple. Most of the historical sites are located on the northern half of the island, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Attraction number one is the Palace and Chapel of Sao Paulo - the residence and residence of the former governor of the country, dating back to the 18th century. This building is a large area, paved with great taste with stones quarried here, on the western tip of the island. Today it is a museum that contains rare furniture and decorations from Portugal, Arabia, India and China, which are in remarkably good shape for such a turbulent history. Nearby is the Museum of Sacred Art, containing religious jewelry, paintings and sculpture. At the northern tip of the island is the medieval Fort San Sebastian, also in surprisingly good condition, and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, the oldest building in the southern hemisphere. Mozambique has a rich artistic tradition that can seem incredible as it continues to thrive after decades of colonialism and civil war. Today Mozambique has one of the most distinctive and interesting forms of folk art in Africa. Makonde sculpture is recognized as one of Africa's most complex and sophisticated artistic forms. The traditions of fresco painting are also strong, the first examples of which were found during excavations of settlements more than 2 thousand years old. The largest and most famous of the modern frescoes is located near the capital's airport, is 95 m in length, and reflects the events of the Revolutionary period. Traditional music is very popular both in Mozambique and abroad; many researchers, not without reason, consider it one of the origins of “reggae” and new age. The “instruments of the wind” (“lupembe”) of the Makonde people in the north of the country are unique. In the south, musicians traditionally use the marimba, a type of xylophone that spread from this area throughout southern Africa. Mozambican marimba orchestras are widely known throughout the world, attracting full houses in the best concert halls on the planet. The "marrabenta" they perform is the most typical Mozambican music, with a light style and traditional rural rhythms. One of the most beautiful places on the continent is the Bazaruto Archipelago Marine National Park, 10 km away. off the coast, with blue waters, sandy shores, palm trees, ancient coral reefs, plus a myriad of tropical fish inhabiting these waters. Scuba diving and excellent fishing are possible here. The entire area between the mainland and the 150 islands is now protected as a world-class nature reserve. If you stay in one of the dozens of luxury houses on the islands, it is quite possible to rent a speedboat for a mini-cruise around the archipelago. Also quite interesting are the country's national parks - Gorongosa, Banyine, Zinave, etc., which are quickly being restored and have a full range of natural attractions and unique wildlife.