Due to its strategically privileged position in the Southern part of the African Continent, its easily accessible vast coastline, abundant in fish and its fertile lands, Mozambique has been the home of various peoples and cultures, including the Bantu from Central Africa, Arabs, Indians and Europeans.

The Bantu are the most important however. This group made up of a number of different groups with a common culture and similar dialects originated the main Ethnic groups such as the “Yaos”, the “Macuas”, the “Angones”, the “Nhanjas”, the “Tongas”, the “Bitongas” and the “Muchopes” who can be found living in groups and sub-groups, in this same order, from North to South.

Apart from the descendents of the Bantu group, another strong influence is the Swahili, located on the coast and responsible for introducing Islam into Mozambique. Indians and Europeans are also to be found in various parts of the country the present day population of Mozambique is in the order of 21 million, 30% of which live in the main urban centres, such as Maputo, Beira and Nampula.