Parks & Game Reserves

Bazaruto Archipelago Marine National Park is currently Mozambique's only operating National Park. It includes several islands off the coast as well as beautiful reefs and beaches. The area is great for fishing and snorkeling.

• Bazaruto Archipelago Marine National Park

• Bazaruto Archipelago Marine National Park

• Benguela

Mozambique's pre-colonial history is similar to that of Malawi. The Portuguese arrived in 1498 and established a major ivory and slave trading center. They continued to exploit the country's resources through the 20th Century and the harsh labor conditions eventually led to a large outflow of Mozambicans to neighboring areas. In 1975, the Portuguese left the country in a state of chaos following years of famine. Renamo was created by external forces, mainly South Africa's apartheid government, in response to the African National Congress's presence in Mozambique. Renamo destroyed Mozambique's infrastructure and resisted Western aid, furthering underdevelopment in the country. A peace agreement was signed in 1992 when Frelimo (Mozambique's liberation front) abandoned its Marxist ideas and allowed for an open market economy, privatized business, and multiparty elections. The population is made up of 16 ethnic groups who all have their own language, and Portuguese is the official language. About 25% of the population are Muslim and 20% Catholic with about 20 Protestant groups as well.