Zavora

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Zavora
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = MOZ
subdivision_type1 = Provinces
subdivision_name1 = Inhambane Province
subdivision_type2 = District
subdivision_name2 = Inharrime District
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latd= 24|latm= 31|lats= |latNS=S
longd=35 |longm=21|longs= |longEW=E
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Zavora is a small coastal resort, north east of Maputo in Mozambique, in the district of Inharrime, province of Inhambane. From Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, you drive almost 420km in a north eastern direction to get to Zavora. It is located 27km away from the town of Inharrime and the capital of the province, the city of Inhambane, is approximately 2 hours drive away towards the North East.

The correct Portuguese spelling is "Závora", and some maps refer to the area as "Ponta de Závora", Portuguese for "Tip of Zavora" or "Praia de Závora" meaning "Beach of Zavora". The origin of the name Zavora is not known.

There is also a fish called Zavora-pypvis (Afrikaans language), or translated Zavora-pipefish. The biological name is Halicampus zavorensis from the family Syngnathidae. According to one reference [http://www.fishbase.org/Eschmeyer/EschPiscesSummary.cfm?ID=23269] it is a fish found in Western Indian Ocean: known only from one specimen from Zavora, Mozambique and two from Sur, Oman.

The word Zavora is also used as a surname in some languages and therefore the town's name could have originated from a person.

Although the local people can speak Shangaan and Portuguese, the local language is Chopi. English is limited to mostly businesses and lodges.

Zavora is mostly known for its beautiful natural reef and one of few remaining lighthouses along this coast. The reef makes it a popular vacation location and attracks many visitors during holidays, especially, South Africa. There remains some old buildings that still exist from after the Portuguese left Mozambique. These are currently used as accommodation by a local lodge.

In general the local people are poor and needy. Local uplifting projects do exist by missionaries and international organisations. Most of the people make a living from fishing and farming of small crops.

Zavora is also home to one of few remaining lighthouses in Mozambique. The tower of 53 feet was built in 1910 and is still operational with 10sec interval light flashes in aid to passing ships etc. The grounds are open to the public.

According to some reference, a Dutch liner, the MV Klipfontein, struck a submerged reef, 5 miles from Cape Barra near Inhambane on 8 January, 1953. In an SA news release this area where the ship sank was referred to as Cape Zavora (Portuguese East Africa) This newsalert doubted that it could have been a submerged reef and referred to it as a hidden 'obstacle'.

References

* For projects in Zavora: [http://www.doctorsforlifeinternational.com/programs/a2a/featuredproject_zavora_clinic.cfm]
* For
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001211/121166e.pdf]
* For images and demographics: [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/MZ/3/Zavora.html] , [http://rove.to/mozambique/] , [http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-3911-08NOV02.htm] , [http://www.fishbase.org/ComNames/CommonNameSummary.cfm?autoctr=92460]