Everything You Need To Know About 8 Weird Facts On Mozambique In 5 Minutes- Indian Ocean 2

Posted On March 7, 2021

Port of Maputo, Mozambique

The largest port in Mozambique serving the provinces of Maputo and Gaza as well as access route for import and export cargoes from South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The Port of Maputo handles 80% of cargo in transit to and from its neighboring countries. It has two main components: the Maputo Cargo Terminals and the Matola Bulk Terminals.

Maputo Cargo Terminals handle containers, bulk minerals, citrus, sugar and molasses. The Matola Bulk Terminals on the other hand with its 4 deep-water berths handle coal, fuel, lubricants, petroleum, aluminum and grains.

The Port of Maputo also provides bunkering services, dry dock and repairs as well as ship chandling. Besides these, it has 2 attractive privately-managed marinas for cruising yachts.

An Overview on Mozambique:

Two thousand years ago, the Bantu people have settled in Mozambique and built the Musenemutapa Empire. They established trade links with the Arab world, India, China and Persia. In fact the name Mozambique was taken from an Arab shiekh, Mussa bin Biki who had ruled the area during that time. By 900 A.D. gold lured said sea merchants into this land, which would later attracts the Portuguese in later centuries with the landing of Vasco de Gama in 1498 while on his way to India.

Portugal monopolized the gold trade in Mozambique by setting up a trading post in 1505. But in the 17th century, ivory had replaced gold then after 50 years, slaves became the country’s major export. Thousands were sold to slave traders and sent to the Americas and until the 1870s this kind of commerce brought a lot of profit into the land.

Portuguese colonial rule was repressive and guerilla activity began in the 20th century. By 1973, Portugal had dispatched troops to fight off the rebels but a ceasefire was signed in 1974. After 470 years of Portuguese invasion, Mozambique finally gained its independence on June 25, 1975.

After our oil discharged at Mauritius with the IVS Leopard Sun (2013), we sailed further towards the southwest part of Indian Ocean and berthed at the Port of Maputo in Mozambique. Although this was a “young” country having just gained its freedom in 1975, this is a beautiful and wildlife-rich nation. Oozing with a spectacular coastline and lush greenery let me unveil everything you need to know about 8 weird facts on Mozambique in 5 minutes.

1. Greetings are lengthy here.

Meet and greet is quite long in this country, it’s a one thing you need to know about 8 weird facts on Mozambique in 5 minutes. The “convo” includes inquiring the health of every member of each other’s family. “So, how’s your Nanna‘s wobbly knees?”

2. Mozambique word, per se, scores high in scrabble.

If you are a scrabble genius, you will certainly score 34 points in the game if you’re allowed to use proper nouns like Mozambique. A sure thing you need to know about 8 weird facts on Mozambique in 5 minutes. And it is the only name of a country that features all the 5 vowels, plus the z and q consonants. Good luck!

3. It has a “young” population.

This is a thing you need to know about 8 weird facts on Mozambique in 5 minutes, it has a “young” population. Because of child marriage, about 45% of it is under 15 years old and more than half of its women have their first child before they reach 19 years of age. Hush little baby don’t say a word…..

4. Maputo has a pretty railway station.

This nation takes pride of having one of the most beautiful railway station in the world, a thing you need to know about 8 weird facts on Mozambique in 5 minutes. The CFM Raiway Station in Maputo (the capital) has always been a favorite article in architectural magazines due to its esthetic quality. Ahh, bonita!

5. Wildlife galore.

Home to a wide range of wildlife, such a thing you need to know about 8 weird facts on Mozambique in 5 minutes. Due to its proximity to world-famous’ Kruger National Park wild animals such as hyenas, zebras, cheetahs, panthers, leopards, hippopotamuses, aardvarks, rhinoceroses, giraffes, lions abound in this country. Safari trip, anyone?

6. Where “marriageable” ladies wear white masks.

In this nation’s northern region, women’s faces covered with a white mask called “musiro” is normal. A thing you need to know about 8 weird facts on Mozambique in 5 minutes, a musiro mask symbolizes virginity and the girl is ready for marriage. Single and ready to mingle, that is.

7. And polygamy is tolerated.

Polygamy is widely accepted but it’s not legalized by law. A thing you need to know about 8 weird facts on Mozambique in 5 minutes. While it is not banned in this side of the world, the first or original wife is the only recognized by law. Deeply embedded into their culture, it is believed to give prestige to the man of having a lot of wives and to have some assistants in his farm. When three is not a crowd, or shall I say, macho man?

8. The only country in the world with the image of AK47 on its flag.

The only country in the world with an AK47 rifle picture on its flag. A thing you need to know about 8 weird facts on Mozambique in 5 minutes, the AK47 image represents vigilance and defense. It is a symbol of the country’s painful struggle from Portugal, their war on independence in which the firearm was used. Indeed, their sacrifices must not be forgotten….

Mozambique may still be considered a third world country but nevertheless it’s also one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Natural gas and petroleum has been discovered lately so happy days are coming for this nation. And it is beginning to attract tourists attention, in fact some of the scenes in Leonardo di Caprio’s Blood Diamond was filmed in Maputo. For all the travel bugs out there who were “grounded” for a year now, this article is especially written for you. Boa viagem em breve!

Reference: Wikipedia