MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE, AFRICA
Maputo is the capital city of Mozambique, located on the east coast, bordered by Tanzania on the north, Zambia and Zimbawe on the west and South Africa on the south. The Portuguese landed here in the 16th century and started trade with the Asia.in the great harbor. Today 90% of the economy of Mozambique depends on the export of its resources: coconuts, cashews, spices, shrimp, lobster, coffee, tea, potatoes, sunflowers (for their oil) The official language is Portuguese, English and many dialects.
Mozambique is a poor country, the average yearly income is $800. However, it is an emerging nation, anxious to build up its tourism industry. It has been through 17 years of civil war in which over one million people died, followed by cyclone after cyclone, floods and famine. The civil war ended in 1992 and slowly Mozambique is getting back on its feet for the first time in 2 decades. Gas and oil are precious commodities. Roads and railroad tracks are being rebuilt, and trains are running again. The great dome of the railway station built in 1908-1910 was designed by Gustav Eiffel. The Portuguese influence can be seen in the architecture of Maputo. One of the sights in downtown Maputo is the five-star Polana Hotel with its old world charm, beautiful gardens and famous wrought iron elevator.
This was a maiden stop for the ms Rotterdam and we were all pleasantly surprised. The people were very friendly, most spoke English and were very anxious to sell us their craft work: wood carvings, silver work, leather, textiles, batik, and bright ceramics. Bargaining is essential in many countries and I must say we are becoming very good at it!
Maputo is the capital city of Mozambique, located on the east coast, bordered by Tanzania on the north, Zambia and Zimbawe on the west and South Africa on the south. The Portuguese landed here in the 16th century and started trade with the Asia.in the great harbor. Today 90% of the economy of Mozambique depends on the export of its resources: coconuts, cashews, spices, shrimp, lobster, coffee, tea, potatoes, sunflowers (for their oil) The official language is Portuguese, English and many dialects.
Mozambique is a poor country, the average yearly income is $800. However, it is an emerging nation, anxious to build up its tourism industry. It has been through 17 years of civil war in which over one million people died, followed by cyclone after cyclone, floods and famine. The civil war ended in 1992 and slowly Mozambique is getting back on its feet for the first time in 2 decades. Gas and oil are precious commodities. Roads and railroad tracks are being rebuilt, and trains are running again. The great dome of the railway station built in 1908-1910 was designed by Gustav Eiffel. The Portuguese influence can be seen in the architecture of Maputo. One of the sights in downtown Maputo is the five-star Polana Hotel with its old world charm, beautiful gardens and famous wrought iron elevator.
This was a maiden stop for the ms Rotterdam and we were all pleasantly surprised. The people were very friendly, most spoke English and were very anxious to sell us their craft work: wood carvings, silver work, leather, textiles, batik, and bright ceramics. Bargaining is essential in many countries and I must say we are becoming very good at it!
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