Mocimboa da Praia is a port

Port

A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....

 in northern Mozambique

Mozambique

Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...

, lying on the Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...

 coast, located in Cabo Delgado Province. It is a border post for travel to and from Tanzania

Tanzania

The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...

 and is the seat of Mocímboa da Praia District

Mocímboa da Praia District

Mocímboa da Praia District is a district of Cabo Delgado Province in northern Mozambique. The district capital is Mocímboa da Praia town.-External links:*...

.

History

The town was prominent during the colonial period due to its port, which served the export market, and because of its easy access to Tanzania and the north. The Portuguese army had a base there during the independence struggle. During the civil war it was a centre for refuge and safety. Many people resettled here after the 1992 peace accords.