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Maputo is located on the west side of Maputo Bay, at the mouth of the Tembe River. The bay is 95 km (50 mi) long and 30 km (20 mi) wide. The Maputo River empties into the southern end of the bay.

Founded in the late 18th century17th century 18th century 19th century more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701- 1800; however, historians will sometimes specifically refer to the 18th Century as 1715- 89,, the city was named Lourenço MarquesLourenco Marques was a 16th century Portuguese trader. The capital city of Mozambique was named after him. The city is now called Maputo. for the PortugueseRepublica Portuguesa ( In Detail) National motto: None Official language Portuguese 3 Capital Lisbon President Jorge Sampaio Prime Minister Pedro Santana Lopes Area Total % water World ranking: 109th 92,391 km²0. 5 % Population Total ( 2004) Density World trader who first explored the area in 1544Events April 11 Battle of Ceresole French forces under the Comte d'Enghien defeat Imperial forces under the Marques Del Vasto near Turin. May Emperor Charles V again invades eastern France June 19 August 18 Imperial siege of St. Dizier in eastern France J. In 1895Events January events January 5 Dreyfus Affair: French officer Alfred Dreyfus is stripped of his rank and sentenced to life imprisonment on Devil's Island. February events February 14 First showing of Oscar Wilde's last play The Importance of Being Earnes, construction of a railroad to PretoriaPretoria is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the executive (administrative) capital; it is situated in the province of Gauteng. Cape Town is the legislative capital and Bloemfontein the judicial capital. It is a very pleasant and cos, South Africa caused the city's population to grow. In 1907, Lourenço Marques became the capital of Mozambique. After independence, the city's name was changed to Maputo.

The University of Mozambique is in the city, which also has a museum of Mozambique history, a military museum, and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima.

It is a planned city with square blocks and wide avenues. Since being abandoned by the Portuguese during the independence process, it was taken up by native people who sometimes came directly from tribal villages, and not being acquainted with modern living all but destroyed the homes they took. Later Communist government mismanagement, lack of qualified workers and a fierce civil war contributed to its state of dereliction in late 2004. While already on the recovery, many newer buildings are being erected for the rising middle class without reforming the older ones, and many city services are still precarious.