Mozambique Island

Mozambique Island (Ilha de Moçambique) is a historic island in northern Mozambique and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The former trading centre on the Indian Ocean reflects a rich blend of African, Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian and Portuguese influences. Its character is shaped by Stone Town, with its colonial architecture, Fort São Sebastião and the Palácio de São Paulo, and by Macuti Town, known for its traditional palm-leaf roofs. For centuries, the island was an important hub in Indian Ocean trade and, from 1507 to 1898, the seat of Portuguese colonial government in East Africa. Its remarkable architectural unity makes this small coral island a unique testament to the cultures and trade routes linking Africa, Europe and Asia.