Nampula

Nampula
From top, left to right: Samora Machel Roundabout, Municipal Council Building, View from Avenida 25 de Setembro, Mozambican National Ethnographic Museum, Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral
Flag of Nampula
Official seal of Nampula
Nickname: 
A Capital Do Norte
Map
Interactive map of Nampula
Coordinates: 15°07′S 39°16′E / 15.117°S 39.267°E / -15.117; 39.267
Country Mozambique
ProvincesNampula Province
City Status1956
Named forWhampula or M'Phula
Government
 • TypeMunicipal Council
 • BodyConselho Municipal de Nampula
 • MayorPaulo Vahanle (RENAMO)
Elevation
360 m (1,181 ft)
Population
 (2017 census)
 • Total743,125
 • Rank3
DemonymNampulense
Time zoneUTC+2 (CAT)
Postal Code
3100
Area code(+258) 26
ClimateAw
Websitehttps://cmnampula.gov.mz/

Nampula [nɐ̃ˈpulɐ] is the capital city of Nampula Province in Northern Mozambique. With a population of 743,125 (2017 census),[1] it is the third-largest city in Mozambique after Maputo and Matola. The city is located in the interior of Nampula Province, approximately 200 kilometers from the coast and is surrounded by plains and rocky outcrops. The city is a major regional centre for the entire Northern region of Mozambique, as well as parts of Central Mozambique and border areas of Malawi and Tanzania.[2]

The city links the port city of Nacala with land-locked Southern African countries, particularly Malawi through a road and railway line. The city has a small international airport connecting to Nairobi in Kenya, Johannesburg in South Africa, Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania and is a hub for local transport in northern Mozambique. Nampula is the centre of business in Northern Mozambique,[2][3] benefitting from highly productive agricultural areas, proximity to the Nacala Development Corridor, and a fast-growing city population.[4]

Nampula is home to the Mozambican National Ethnographic Museum, several markets, cathedrals, mosques, universities, training institutes and schools. The city is diverse, with the native eMakhuwa population being the largest group but with a visible Indian, European, Chinese, Lebanese, Somali, and Nigerian population.

  1. ^ "Mozambique: Definitive Census Results - Nampula". allafrica.com. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Information about the City and Municipality of Nampula" (PDF). www.uclg.org. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Crime, conflict and corruption: Nampula as a smuggling hub".
  4. ^ "Building Partnerships for Integrated City Planning in Nampula, Mozambique" (PDF). www.citiesalliance.org. Retrieved 17 September 2023.