Lourenço Marques (explorer) facts for kids

Lourenço Marques was a Portuguese trader and explorer from the 1500s. He explored parts of Africa and helped Portugal learn more about new lands.

Who Was Lourenço Marques?

Lourenço Marques explored the area known today as Maputo Bay in 1544. This bay is located in what is now the country of Mozambique. He decided to live permanently in Mozambique, where he spent most of his life. He had a family there with his local wife and their children.

Naming Maputo Bay

Because of his explorations, King John III of Portugal ordered that Maputo Bay be named Baía de Lourenço Marques in his honor. However, this name was not commonly used by people from other countries who visited the area.

Maputo City's Name Change

The capital city of Mozambique, which is now called Maputo, was once named after Lourenço Marques. This happened before Mozambique became an independent country from Portugal in 1975. The city officially changed its name to Maputo on February 3, 1976.