ST. LUCIA LAGOON AND BACKWATERS,Natal_Zululand,South Africa

HISTORICAL MAP CHART

Maputo Bay (Baia de Maputo), formerly Delagoa Bay (Port. "bay of the lagoon") is an inlet of the Indian Ocean on the coast of Mozambique, between 25 40 and 26 20 S., with a length from north to south of over 70 m. and a breadth of about 20 m. The bay is the northern termination of the series of lagoons which line the coast from Saint Lucia Bay. The opening is toward the N.E. The southern part of the bay is formed by a peninsula, called the Inyak peninsula, which on its inner or western side affords safe anchorage. At its N.W. point is Port Melville. North of the peninsula is Inyak Island, and beyond it a smaller island known as Elephants Island. In spite of a bar at the entrance and a number of shallows within, Maputo Bay forms a valuable harbour, accessible to large vessels at all seasons of the year. The surrounding country is low and very unhealthy, but the island of Inyak has a height of 240 ft., and is used as a sanatorium. A river 12 to 18 ft. deep, known as the Manhissa or Komati, enters the bay at its northern end; several smaller streams, the Matola, the Umbeluzi, and the Tembi, from the Lebombo Mountains, meet towards the middle of the bay in the estuary called by the Portuguese the Espirito Santo, but generally known as the English river; and the Maputo, which has its headwaters in the Drakensberg, enters in the south, as also does the Umfusi river. These rivers are the haunts of the hippopotamus and the crocodile. The bay was discovered by the Portuguese navigator Antonio de Campo, one of Vasco da Gamas companions, in 1502, and the Portuguese post of Lourenco Marques (now Maputo) was established not long after on the north side of the English river. In 1720 the Dutch East India Company built a fort and factory on the spot where Lourenco Marques now stands; but in 1730 the settlement was abandoned. Thereafter the Portuguese had - intermittently - trading stations in the Espirito Santo. These stations were protected by small forts, usually incapable, however, of withstanding attacks by the natives. LOURENCO MARQUES, capital of Portuguese East Africa or Mozambique, on the north bank of the Espirito Santo or English river, Delagoa Bay, and 396 m. by rail via Pretoril from Johannesburg. The town is situated close ti the mouth of the river in 25 53 S. and 32 30 E., and is buil upon a low-lying spit of sand, formerly surrounded by swamps The streets are regularly laid out and adorned by several fin buildings. The principal thoroughfare, the Avenida Aguia] 2 m. long goes from the centre of the town to Reuben Point The harbour is weil equipped with piers, quays, landing shec and electric cranes, which enable large steamers to discharg cargoes direct into the railway trucks. The depth of water 1 low tide is I8 ft. The streets are lit by electricity and there an electric tramway system 7 m. in extent. At Reuben Poin which marks the spot where the English river enters the ba~ are the lighthouse, barracks and the private residences of the wealthy citizens. At its mouth the English river is about 2 m. across. Lourenco Marques is the nearest seaport to the Rand gold mines. The port is 8374 m. from Southampton via Cape Town and 7565 m. via the Suez canal. It is served by British, Portuguese and German liners, the majority of the goods imported being shipped at Southampton, Lisbon or Hamburg. Over 50% of the import trade of Johannesburg is with Lourenco Marques. Great Britain and British possessions take some 40% of the import trade, Portugal, Germany, Norway, Sweden and America coming next in order. Most of the imports, being forwarded to the Transvaal, figure also as exports. The chief articles of import are food-stuffs and liquors, iron, mineral oils, inks and dyes, timber and live stock. These all form part of the transit trade. There is practically no export trade by sea save in coal, which is brought chiefly from the collieries at Middelburg in the Transvaal. At Port Matolla, 20 m. from the town, on the river of that name, one of the feeders of the English river, is a flourishing timber trade.

1890s Wood Engraving Antique Map

Approximate Overall Size: 7 X 10 1/2 inches

CONDITION: Book Plate INTEXT MAP - Excellent Condition. Beautiful with excellent detail. There is Text on Front and Back Side.