Beira, Mozambique

Beira is a coastal city in central Mozambique. With a population of 570,000 (2011 estimate), it is the second largest city in the country. Beira is on the coast facing the Indian Ocean, at the mouth of the Pungue River, in Sofala Province. The city is the main port for goods heading to the central and interior parts of Mozambique.

The city of Beira was founded in 1890. Originally called Chiveve, it was renamed in honor of the Crown Prince of Portugal, Prince Dom Luís Filipe. Traditionally, the prown princes of Portugal carry the title Prince of Beira (just as the crown princes of Great Britain are titled Prince of Wales), after Beira in Portugal.

In 1907 Beira was given city status. It also superceded the town of Sofala as the main port in Portuguese-controlled Mozambique. The city prospered through trade that passing through its harbor, which has some of the most modern facilities in East Africa. The city also grew as a tourist destination supporting a steady stream of white tourists from white Rhodesia. As a result, many people in Beira, particularly those working in the tourism industry, are able to converse fluently in English.

Women pounding and husking rice in Beira, Mozambique
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mozambique010.jpg
Author: Steve Evans

Visiting Beira

You can fly to Beira, arriving at Beira Airport (BEW), which receives flights from Chimoio, Johannesburg, Maputo, Nampula, Pembe and Tete.

Places of Interest in Beira

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