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  ampula is a commercial center and is bordered on the North by the Provinces of Cabo Delgado and Niassa, by Zanbeze in the South and West and by the Indian Ocean on the East.
 he llha de Mozambique, 175km from the capital of the Province, Nampula, was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in recognition of its unique cultural and architectural heritage and can be considered the birthplace of the Mozambique nation.
 This modern town tucked in the rolling hills and rising mountains of the interior was established as a centre in 1967 when the Portuguese government transferred the army headquarters from Mozambique Island to here. Nampula is the commercial heart of Mozambique. It has banks, hotels, tennis clubs, supermarkets and large glass-fronted stores selling expensive motor vehicles. It is, however, not really a place for a holiday. The skyline of the town is dominated by the twin cupola called Cathedral de Nosa Senhora da Conceicao which the locals irreverently call ¡®Gina Lollobrigida¡¯
There are a number of ideas as to the original name of this small coral island. Some say it is Muipiti, others say that originated from the word Mussa-Bin-Tiki the name of the son of the Sultan who was at one time lord of the island. The name Mozambique came into use in the XVI century. It was an important trading settlement and one of its notable characteristics was its heterogeneity; Muslins, Hindu and Europeans blended with the indigenous culture.
In 1498, Portuguese navigators landed there, took over the island and expelled all those who had interests there. They made it into a strategic point from where they could venture into the rest of the country. For this purpose the fort of São Sebastião was built and also a ¡°feitoria¡±(trading post).
One of the traditions of the Ilha is a white extract taken from a root, which the women spread on their bodies and faces to make beautiful masks.
Nampula is a Province rich in landscapes, history and is very well positioned strategically, as can be seen in the cities of Nampula, Ilha de Moçambique, Angoche and Nacala, one of the best natural ports in Africa.
The main ethnic group is the Macua.
One of the main attractions on the Ilha de Moçambique, in the old part of the city with its buildings of stone and coral, is the Palace of São Paulo, the residence of past governors and now a museum containing ornaments from Portugal, Arabia, Goa, India and China. Behind the Palace is the Museum of Sacred Art, a Hindu Temple and a monument to Luis Camões who wrote part of The ¡°Lusiadas¡± during his two years stay there.
Nampula is a modern city built along modern architectural lines. On the outskirts of the town the landscape is suddenly and curiously interrupted by a number of granite domes and peaks.
The Dam that supplies the city with water is also a point of interest.
A visit to the Cathedral is recommended and also the Ethnography Museum on Av. Eduardo Mondlane where works of art representative of Mozambique culture are on show.
The city of Angoche on the coast, once inhabited by Arabs and Swahilis is well known for shrimp fishing.
Local cuisine is rich and varied, influenced by the different cultures that once settled here.
The hotels and restaurants serve the tasty specialties that are only to be found in Nampula.
Choose from Chocas beach in Mossuril or in Nacala, Fernão Veloso beach, or Farol Beach on Ilha de Goa, in front of Ilha de Moçambique, where the white sands and transparent waters where dolphins play, are irresistibly inviting.
The giant marine turtles lay their eggs here and on clear nights it is possible to witness this fascinating sight.
Singing and dancing is an integral part of daily life here. Music and rhythm comes naturally to the Nampula people.
The dance of the Tufo, peculiar to Ilha de Moçambique is for example very energetic and requires a great deal of agility and dexterity on the part of the performer.
Also peculiar to the region is the white root extract the women apply to their faces and body to make their skin soft and smooth.
Hotels
Atlas Hotel Apartamentos Lda
Av Samora Machel-Nampula 2621 82 22
Bamboo - Actividades Hoteleiras
1465,Estr Rapale-Nampula 2621 74 75
Complexo Tur¨ªstico Namarralo
Chocas Mar-Mossuril 2665 00 10
Complexo Tur¨ªstico Napala
Pr Fernão Veloso,Nacala 2652 06 08
Hotel L¨²rio
Av Independ¨ºncia-Nampula 2621 28 98
Hotel Maiaia
Bº Maiaia-Nacala 2652 63 51
Hotel Nampula
Av Francisco Manyanga-Nampula 2621 21 47
Hotel Omuhipiti
Bº Museu-Ilha de Moçambique 2661 01 01
Hotel Tropical
Bº Museu-Nampula 2621 22 32
Malibu - Sociedade Hoteleira
1655,R Unidade-Nampula 2621 61 63
Restaurants
Bar Restaurante Copacabana
158,R Macombre-Nampula 2621 81 21
Bar Restaurante O Pescador
45,Av Liberdade-Angoche 2672 07 57
Bar Restaurante Rel¨ªquias
Bº Museu-Ilha de Moçambique 2661 00 92
COMPLEXO MONTES NAIRUCU
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Distrito Rapale Cell: 669 36 80
Complexo Terminal
Av Trabalho-Nampula 2621 75 50
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