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The Island of Mozambique (Portuguese: Ilha de Moçambique) lies of northern Mozambique, between the Mozambique Channel and Mossuril Bay. It has a population of around 14,000 people and is part of Nampula Province.

The island was a major Arab port and boat building centre long before Vasco da Gama visited in 1498. The name of the island (Portuguese: Moçambique, pronounced musɐ̃ˈbiki) is derived from Musa Al Big, an Arab trader who first visited the island and later lived there. This name was subsequently taken to the mainland country which is modern day Mozambique, and the island was renamed Ilha de Moçambique (Island of Mozambique). The Portuguese established a port and naval base in 1507, and built the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, in 1522, now considered the oldest European building in the southern hemisphere.

During the sixteenth century, the Fort São Sebastião was built, and the Portuguese settlement (now known as Stone Town) became the capital of Portuguese East Africa. The island also became an important missionary centre and is now a World Heritage Site. It withstood Dutch attacks in 1607 and 1608 and remained a major post for the Portuguese on their trips to India. It saw the trading of slaves, spices and gold.

Apart from the ancient fortifications, only half of the town is stone-built. The hospital, a majestic neo-classical building constructed in 1877 by the Portuguese, with a garden decorated with ponds and fountains, was repainted white after the Mozambican Civil War. For many years it was the biggest hospital south of the Sahara.

With the opening of the Suez canal, the island's fortunes waned. In 1898, the capital was relocated to Lourenço Marques (now Maputo - Mozambique) on the mainland. By the middle of the twentieth century, the new harbour of Nacala took most of the remaining business.

Just now enjoy this video travelling to the Island of Mozambique.

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