This important Indian Ocean Port city lies less than 100km from the South African border and the southern tip of the country. With its sub-tropical climate, beautiful bay and the blend of Portuguese architecture, African spontaneity and Portuguese-African cuisine, Maputo is a interesting city to visit. Modelled on Portuguese harbour cities such as Lisbon and Porto, Maputo has wide avenidas (avenues), lined with trees broadly in a grid formation. It is very prettily situated on a cliff overlooking Maputo Bay and the Indian ocean.

Maputo fell into disrepair during the civil war which raged through Mozambique in the 80's and the outskirts of the city show both the poverty and Eastern communist bloc influence. However the centre of the city has successfully reclaimed the old charm of this African-Portuguese city.