Survival Guide Provinces

7/30/2019 Survival Guide Provinces

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Survival Guide2012

Gaza is one of the most remote and inaccessible (and dry) parts ofMozambique, with relatively little to offer tourists beyond its short coastline.It is known as the granary of Mozambique because of the fertility ofthe Limpopo valley where there is extensive cereal and rice cultivation.Portuguese is the most prevalent ofcial language in Gaza, an inheritancefrom the countrys colonial past, but most of the regions population

cannot read nor speak it.

The capital city, Xai-Xai (pronounced shy-shy) is the greatest attraction,due to its lovely beaches. Located just 224 km from Maputo and thenearby beach (10km) is a popular tourist destination. There are severalHotels and restaurants in the town, however, the majority of tourists preferto stay at the beach, Praia do Xai Xai. It is a place for holidays or simply forrelaxing weekends as it offers well equipped tourist complexes.

About 145 km north of Maputo (EN 1) is the small town of Macia whichis the turning for Bilene, some 30 km further. Bilene lies on the shore of ahuge, 27km long lagoon of clear, brackish water and ne, white sand.Further attraction is The Banhine National Park, situated between theLimpopo and Changane rivers, is an important area, protected due to its

rich variety of wildlife.

GazaCabo Delgado

Cabo Delgado is the north-eastern province of Mozambique. Translatingapproximately as Cape Thin, the province is bordered by Tanzania to thenorth, the Indian Ocean to the east, Mozambique's Nampula province tothe south and its Niassa province to the west. Although Pemba receives afair amount of tourism, most of which arrives by air, Cabo Delgado is one ofthe least visited provinces in Mozambique. Despite this, it has an impressive

array of attractions, most of which are along or just off its approximately300km of coastline. The Makua are the main ethnic group of the CaboDelgado province and Makonde are known as artists, particularly for theirwood and ivory carvings.

The city of Pemba, located on the large bay of the same Pemba, has littleindustrial activity and thus its natural beauty has been preserved and itsbeautiful beaches are untouched by pollution e.g. Praia do Wimbe is apalm-lined beach with white sand and blue clear waters.

The old town contains several traditional markets where you can admirethe silversmiths at work on their verandas. These craftsmen transform coinsinto silver necklaces, bracelets and ear-rings. If you walk around Pembayou'll notice the local women walking around with white paste on their

face. This is nothing more than a skin-softening mask just like those worn byWestern women. The only difference is that Makua women don't hide theirsand have become well known for this practice. Ibo Island is a beautifulisland and part of the idyllic Quirimbas Archipelago. In historic times, it wasan important Portuguese trade post. To visit the island you can hire a boatin Pemba for the crossing.

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Manica is one of Mozambiques ten provinces. The province is an importantproducer of a wide range of fruits and vegetables. Its a narrow strip on thewestern side of the country, just south of the curiously positioned Tete Province,which pokes northwest from the main stretch of the Mozambique.

Although not of great interest to travellers, the inland Manica Province andits coastal adjacent Sofala Province are of great strategic and historicalimportance to Mozambique.

They are connected by the Beira corridor between Mutare in Zimbabwe andthe port of Beira on the Indian Ocean, which was important to the Swahiligold trade in medieval times and continues to be important to modern trade.Chimoio, the capital city of Manica Province, is an important commercialcentre for the trade of agricultural products which comes in from thesurrounding fertile areas. Cabea do Velho (Face of the Old Man) - themost well known feature of the city is a spectacular natural stone formationresembling the face of an old man.

Chicamba Real is a hydroelectric dam between Manica and Chimoio. It is

uniquely situated with the sheared off rockforming a natural V-shape to house the dam.

About 45 km from Chimoio towards the Machipanda border there is a signfor Casa Msika, a tourist resort on the edge of Lake Chicamba with chalets, acampsite and a pool. This is the ideal place for a sherman or an ardent birdwatcher. Visitors are also invited to visit the crocodile farm nearby.

Survival Guide 2012

Mozambiques capital city is called Maputo (previously known as DelagoaBay - Baa do Esprito Santo). It shares borders with South Africa and Swazilandand is very accessible not only by road via South Africa and Swaziland butby Air and Rail. The city became rmly established when the central authoritywas transferred here in 1898, it was also a major outlet for the gold elds ofSouth Africaespecially once a railway line was constructed.

Prior to the 1970s and 1980s, Maputo was one of the most glamorous places tobe in Africa where a mix of Portuguese and African culture attracted visitorsfrom all over the world who wanted to enjoy freedom with beauty and funrolled into one place. It was and is a beautiful and exotic destination with animpressive skyline. Neglect set in during the war years and the city fell intodisrepair.In the last few years renovation works, new developmentshave started that marks the beginning of a new era.Maputo has lilac jacaranda trees, lined avenues, a variety of interestinghistorical and scenic spots, local restaurants serve wonderful fresh seafoodand cold beer with cuisines from all over the world while enjoying the beautyof the Bay . The Bay of Maputo, together with the river Incomati and Maputodene the limits of the capital. Xena Island, the Old prison Island holds deepstories and can be viewed clearly from the shore. The bay has a long beach

that does get busy in the summer but is ideal for collecting pansy shells orwalking your dogs. Maputo has exploded with boutiques, art shops and boastsmodern shopping centres such as Game, MBS, Polana Shopping centres andmuch more.Other attractions of this Mozambican province is Inhaca Island - popular fordiving and snorkelling, and ofcourse Portuguese Island that rest off InhacaIsland and is a maginicant unspoilt paradise. Snorkelling is a must or a walk

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to the in land lagoons to cool off is a memorable experience. Further southis the Maputo Elephant Reserve, and about a 2 hour drive in 4x4 only from

Maputo is Ponta do Ouro a very popular diving and snorkelling spot withbeautiful beaches. The beaches near Ponte the abbreviated name hostsome of the top lodges visited by royalty and top celebrities. Marine life isrich with tropical sh, and dolphins which can be viewed and if you join thedolphin expeditions can swim with them.There are many historic landmarks to see in Maputo and a good placeto start is the Praca de Independencia, also worth visiting are the CentralRailway Station, Tunduru Gardens, the Art Museumand the Museum of the Revolution.

Survival Guide 2012

Nampula Provincewas ofcially called Moambique during

the days of Portuguese colonial rule. Whenthe country gained independence,

Mozambique was adopted as its newname and so the province was renamed after itscapital, Nampula. This province is located in the upper

regions of Mozambique with rugged mountains and Miomboforest.

The capital city, also named Nampula, is located inlandon the plains near Mozambique Islands that have popular beaches and

was the Capital of Portuguese East Africa but only until 1898. After that thecapital was moved to Lourenzo Marques, now Maputo.

The Province of Nampula has some of the most surprisingly beautifullandscapes in the country. Among the places of interest are the Port of

Nacala, one of the most important in Africa.Mozambique Island has a long and fascinating history that is so important

and incredible that so many people are unaware of its history in slavetrade, trade in spices and gold for hundreds of years, the older section wasdeclared a World Heritage Site in 1992. Here there are buildings constructedout of coral though now not as pristine as they once were - places of interest

include: St. Pauls Palace, The Museum of SacredArt and also The Fortress of St Sebastian.

This is the third largest town in Mozambique and is quite modern withbanks, hotels, tennis clubs, supermarkets and shops. Although not reallya designated tourist area there are a lot of places that are worth a visit

like a museum, mosques and interesting cathedrals such as the imposingCathedral de Nosa Senhora da Conceicao.

Survival Guide 2012

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