Maputo, Mozambique
Maputo is Mozambique's capital, situated on Maputo Bay opening into the Indian Ocean. The city's Portuguese colonial architecture, lively music scene and seafood-heavy cuisine make it one of southern Africa's more distinctive capitals.
Highlights
- Maputo Central Railway Station (designed in the Eiffel era)
- FEIMA craft market and Costa do Sol seafood restaurants
- Maputo Cathedral and the Iron House
- Inhaca Island day-trip across the bay
History
Founded as a Portuguese trading post in 1781 (then known as Lourenço Marques), Maputo became capital of Portuguese Mozambique and, after the 1975 independence and the long civil war (ended 1992), of independent Mozambique. The city has been steadily rebuilt and renamed since the 1980s.
Economy
Maputo is the country's main port (serving landlocked Eswatini, parts of South Africa and Zimbabwe), and hosts the bulk of Mozambique's industry, banking and government. Natural gas finds in northern Mozambique have driven investment, though most LNG infrastructure is far from Maputo.
Neighborhoods
Polana and Sommerschield are upscale and diplomatic; Baixa is the historic colonial centre; Costa do Sol is the beach district; Mafalala is the historic township, birthplace of independence leaders.
Distances from Maputo
Calculate distance and flight time from Maputo to other major African cities: