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Nampula

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Nampula is a major urban center located in northern Mozambique. It serves as the capital city of the Nampula Province. As of the 2017 census, the city had a population of 743,125 people. This makes it the third-largest city in Mozambique, following Maputo and Matola. The city is situated in the interior of the province. It sits approximately 200 kilometers away from the coast. The landscape around the city consists of plains and rocky outcrops. It also features rolling hills and mountains common to northern Mozambique.

Nampula Airport
Nampula Airport

The city functions as a vital regional hub for northern Mozambique. It also serves parts of central Mozambique and border regions of Malawi and Tanzania. Nampula acts as a link between the port city of Nacala and land-locked Southern African nations. Specifically, a road and a railway line connect the city to Malawi. The Nacala railway also serves the city directly. A railway workshop is located within the urban area. Nampula International Airport is located only 4 kilometers from the city center.

Nampula Airport
Nampula Airport

This airport connects the region to Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Dar-es-Salaam. Local transport is also managed through a central bus stand. This station connects the city to Nampula Province and neighboring provinces.

Nampula is a center for business and economic growth. It benefits from being near the Nacala Development Corridor. The city also sits near highly productive agricultural areas. This combination of factors supports a fast-growing population. The city is divided into seven administrative zones. These zones are Urbano Central, Anchilo, Muatala, Muhala, Namikopo, Napipine, and Natikiri. Each zone is further subdivided into smaller localities. This structure helps manage the large and diverse population.

The history of Nampula began in 1907 when the Portuguese colonial army founded it. The settlement was later elevated to official city status in 1956. During the Mozambican War of Independence, the city served as a strategic military center for the colonial army. This was part of their fight against the FRELIMO liberation movement. After Mozambique gained independence in 1975, the Portuguese abandoned the city. This led to many rural populations migrating to Nampula. They often settled in unplanned areas on the outskirts of the city.

Mahamudo-Amurane
Mahamudo-Amurane

Migration to the city increased significantly during the Mozambican Civil War. This movement occurred in the decade between 1982 and 1992. When the war ended, many refugees did not return to the countryside. Instead, they remained in the city. As Mozambique experienced rapid economic development, growth continued in urban areas like Nampula. The city became a major growth center for public and private investment. In 1998, the Municipal Council of Nampula was created. Since then, the city has seen different political leaders. The Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) won the 2013 municipal elections. Their leader, Mahamudo Amurane, served as mayor until his assassination in 2017.

Mahamudo-Amurane
Mahamudo-Amurane

Following his death, the RENAMO party won subsequent elections.

The population of Nampula is very diverse. The native eMakhuwa people form the largest group. However, there are also visible populations from India, China, Lebanon, Somalia, and Nigeria. There are also European populations, which are dominantly Portuguese. This diversity is reflected in the city's religions. Christianity and Islam are the most common faiths. A small Hindu community also lives in the city. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima serves as the archiepiscopal see for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nampula. The city also hosts many markets, mosques, and the Mozambican National Ethnographic Museum.

Education is a significant part of life in Nampula. The city is home to several universities and training institutes. The Universidade Lurio hosts a Faculty of Health Science. In 2009, this university launched a unique course in optometry. This was the first course of its kind in Mozambique. The program was supported by the Mozambique Eyecare Project and international partners. These partners included the Dublin Institute of Technology and the University of Ulster. By 2019, 61 students had graduated with optometry degrees. These graduates include 34 males and 27 females. This profession is now officially recognized in Mozambique through the African Council of Optometry. The city also provides various international schooling options, including Portuguese and English language schools.

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