BP GEOGRAPHIC

Maputo was established in 1781 under the name Lourenço Marques on the northern bank of Espírito Santo Estuary of Delagoa Bay. It was named after a Portuguese navigator who was sent in 1544 by the governor of Mozambique on a voyage of exploration. In 1876 Lourenço Marques was elevated to the status of village and in 1887 it became a city. In 1898 it superseded the Island of Mozambique as capital