Formerly, Portuguese East Africa.a republic in SE Africa: formerly an overseas province of Portugal; gained independence in 1975. 18,165,476; 297,731 sq. mi. (771,123 sq. km). Capital: Maputo.
2.
a seaport on an island just off the NE coast of this republic. 55,000.
Former name (until 1975): Lourenço Marques the capital and chief port of Mozambique, in the south on Delagoa Bay: became capital in 1907; the nearest port to the Rand gold-mining and industrial region of South Africa. Pop: 1 316 000 (2005 est)