INHAMBANE  , a seaport of Portuguese

East Africa in 23° 50' S., 35° 25' E . The town, which enjoys a reputation for healthiness, is finely situated on the bank of a river of the same name which empties into a bay also called Inhambane . Next to Mozambique Inhambane, which dates from the middle of the 16th century, is architecturally the most important town in Portuguese East Africa . The chief buildings are the fort, churches and mosque . The principal church is built with stone and marble brought from Portugal . The population, about 4000 in 1909, is of a motley character: Portuguese and other Europeans, Arabs, Banyans, half-castes and negroes . Its commerce was formerly mostly in ivory and slaves . In 1834 Inhambane was taken and all its inhabitants save ten killed by a Zulu horde under Manikusa (see GAZALAND) . It was not until towards the close of the 19th century that the trade of the town revived . The value of ex-ports and imports in 1907 was about £150,000 . The chief exports are wax, rubber, mafureira and other nuts, mealies and sugar . Cotton goods and cheap wines (for consumption by natives) are the principal imports .

The

harbour, about 9 m. long by 5 wide, accommodates vessels drawing 10 to 12 ft. of water . The depth of water over the bar varies from 17 to 28 ft., and large vessels discharge into and load from lighters . Inhambane is the natural port for the extensive and fertile district between the Limpopo and Sabi rivers . This region is the best recruiting ground for labourers in the Rand gold mines . Mineral oils have been found within a short distance of the port .