Quirimbas Islands

Quirimbas Islands
Geography
Location	Indian Ocean
Coordinates	12°8′48″S 40°34′21″E / 12.14667°S 40.57250°ECoordinates: 12°8′48″S 40°34′21″E / 12.14667°S 40.57250°E
Total islands	32
Major islands	Ibo; Matemo; Medjumbe; Quirimba; ; ; Vamizi Island; ;
Administration
	Mozambique

The Quirimbas Islands lie in the Indian Ocean off northeastern Mozambique, close to Pemba, the capital of the province of Cabo Delgado. The archipelago consists of about 32 islands, including Ibo, Matemo, Medjumbe, Quirimba, , , Vamizi Island and all going up to the Tanzanian border.^[1]

History[]

Originally home to fishing settlements, the islands' population grew around Arab trading posts and thrived under the Portuguese trading routes when it was known as the Ilhas de São Lázaro (Islands of St. Lazarus) during the 16th century. When the Portuguese started occupying cities in the islands such as Ibo, the Arab merchants fled to other parts of the island to operate in.^[2] The Arab merchants refused to trade with the Portuguese, in which started an attack resulting in 60 Muslim merchants casualties and property being burnt down.^[2] The island was in control by the Portuguese until Mozambique gained independence in 1975. Before independence, only four of the 32 islands were inhabited.^[3] Today, many of the islands are inhabited. On May 23, 2014, a mudspill was reported off shore near the Quirimbas Islands which was caused by a drilling rig operated by Anadarko Petroleum.^[4]

These islands are known for their diving sites, some up to 400 meters. The Quirimbas National Park, spanning an area of 7,500 square kilometres (2,900 sq mi), includes the 11 most southerly islands, which are partly surrounded by mangroves. The park was established in 2002 as a protected area.^[5]