Quirimbas Islands seen from space
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Indian Ocean |
| Coordinates | 12°8′48″S 40°34′21″E / 12.14667°S 40.57250°E / -12.14667; 40.57250 |
| Total islands | 32 |
| Major islands |
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| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 120,000 (2024) |
| Pop. density | 16/km2 (41/sq mi) |
| Languages | Swahili, Mwani and Portuguese |
| Ethnic groups | Mwani and Swahili |
The Quirimbas Islands [kiˈɾĩbɐʃ] lie in the western 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, Metundo, Quisiva, Vamizi Island and Rolas Island all going up to the border of the Tanzanian region of Mtwara .[1]
Originally home to Makonde fishing settlements, the islands' population grew around Swahili trading posts and declined 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 Swahili merchants fled to other parts of the island to operate in.[2] The Swahili 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 metres (1,300 ft). 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]
In the early morning of 3 March 2024, IS-CAmilitants seized the island of Quirimba after clashing with local forces, killing and wounding a number of them, while forcing the remnants to flee to the nearby island of Ibo and elsewhere.[6] Two days later, local sources reported a major attack launched by the same militants against the neighboring island of Ibo, successfully seizing it after fierce clashes; locals of the island accused the government and the municipal authorities of having abandoned them after the attacks.[7][8]
The Quirimbas Islands are currently on the tentative list for becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was submitted in 2008.[2][9]
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