Island of Mozambique Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Island of Mozambique
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Fort São Sebastião
Location	Nampula Province, Mozambique
Criteria	Cultural: (iv), (vi)
Inscription	1991 (15th Session)

The Island of Mozambique (called Ilha de Moçambique in Portuguese) is a cool island found off the northern coast of Mozambique. It sits between the Mozambique Channel and Mossuril Bay. This island is part of Nampula Province. Before 1898, it was the main city for Portuguese East Africa, which was a colony.

With its amazing history and beautiful sandy beaches, the Island of Mozambique is a special UNESCO World Heritage site. This means it's recognized as important for everyone in the world! It's also becoming a very popular place for tourists to visit in Mozambique. About 14,000 people live there permanently. You can get to the island from Lumbo Airport on the mainland.

A Look Back in Time
What to See and Do
Images for kids
See also

A Look Back in Time

Pottery found on Mozambique Island shows that people settled here a very long time ago, at least by the 1300s. Local stories say that the first Swahili residents came from a place called Kilwa. By the 1400s, the island's leaders were connected to rulers in Angoche and Quelimane. In 1514, a traveler named Duarte Barbosa wrote that the island had many Muslim people. They spoke the same Swahili language as those in Angoche.

How the Island Got Its Name

The island's name, Moçambique, comes from Ali Musa Mbiki. He was the sultan, or ruler, of the island when Vasco da Gama visited. Later, this name was used for the whole country we now call Mozambique. The island itself was then renamed Ilha de Moçambique, meaning "Island of Mozambique."

In 1507, the Portuguese set up a port and a naval base here. They built the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte in 1522. This chapel is thought to be the oldest European building in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Island's Importance

During the 1500s, the Fort São Sebastião was built. The Portuguese settlement, now known as Stone Town, became the capital of Portuguese East Africa. The island also became an important place for missionaries to spread their religion.

The island was strong enough to survive attacks from the Dutch in 1607 and 1608. It stayed a key stop for the Portuguese on their journeys to India. It was a place where people traded slaves, spices, and gold.

Changes Over Time

Besides the old forts, only about half of the town is built with stone. There's a grand hospital, built in 1877 by the Portuguese. It's a beautiful neo-classical building with a garden, ponds, and fountains. After the Mozambican Civil War, it was repainted white. For many years, it was the largest hospital south of the Sahara Desert.

The island's importance began to fade when the Suez Canal opened. This new canal made sea routes shorter, so ships didn't need to stop at Mozambique Island as much. In 1898, the capital city was moved to Lourenço Marques, which is now Maputo, on the mainland. By the mid-1900s, a new harbor in Nacala took away most of the remaining trade.

What to See and Do

The Island of Mozambique has many interesting places to visit.

Famous Buildings

The Palace and Chapel of São Paulo were built in 1610. They were first a Jesuit College and later the Governor's Residence. Now, they are a museum you can explore.
The Museum of Sacred Art is inside the Church of the Misericórdia. It has a wonderful Makonde crucifix.
You can also visit the Church of Santo António and the Church of the Misericórdia.
Don't forget the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, which is very old.

The island is now fully developed with buildings. It's also home to several mosques and a Hindu temple, showing its diverse history.

Exploring the Island

The island isn't very big. It's about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) long and between 200 and 500 meters (650 to 1,600 feet) wide. Most of the old, historical buildings are found at the northern end of the island. Many residents live in reed houses in Makuti Town, which is at the southern end.

A 3-kilometer (1.8-mile) bridge was built in the 1960s. This bridge connects the island to the mainland.

Nearby Attractions

The island is also close to two other fun places for tourists. These are Chocas Mar, a long beach about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of the island, and Cabaceiras. Both are across the Mossuril Bay.