Bazaruto Island
Italy
Bazaruto (Portuguese pronunciation: [bazaˈɾutu]) is a barrier island in the Bazaruto Archipelago of southern Mozambique. The largest island of the archipelago, Bazaruto sits near the eastern rim of the African continental shelf, sheltering the mainland coast on the other side of Bazaruto Bay. Formed
during the Pleistocene, Bazaruto's sand dunes along its eastern shore are among the tallest in the world, reaching heights up to 90 m (300 ft). Besides the dune system, the island is dotted with grasslands, salt marshes, mangrove swamps, and patches of freshwater wetland. It harbors a variety of wildlife, including blue monkeys, harnessed bushbuck, and red forest duiker. The waters around the island are a vital refuge for dugongs and sea turtles. Occupied since the Iron Age, Bazaruto formed part of the Indian Ocean trade network for thousands of years. It fell under increasing Portuguese influence beginning in the late 16th century, and was administered under a series of mulatto landlords and chieftains. It was officially gifted to the Portuguese crown in 1721, and was loosely administered under the Prazo of Mambone. Food insecurity and frequent raids by slave traders and neighboring tribes...
Listen to the audio guide for Bazaruto Island Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen offNearby
- parco nazionale di Bazaruto nature_reserve · 1 km away