Nampula
Nampula is the capital city of Nampula Province in Northern Mozambique. With a population of 743,125 (2017 census), it is the third-largest city in Mozambique after Maputo and Matola. Nampula is also home to the Mozambican National Ethnographic Museum, several markets, cathedrals, mosques, universities and schools. Also known as "The Capital of the North", Nampula is the centre of business in northern Mozambique. The city has a small international airport connecting to Nairobi in Kenya and Johannesburg in South Africa, and is a transport hub for local transport in northern Mozambique. The city is diverse, with the native  eMakhuwa population being the largest group but with a visible Indian, European, Chinese, and Lebanese population. Etymology. The name "Nampula" is said to be derived to the eMakhuwa word "Whampula", which according to legend refers to a tribal leader of the area in the past. Administration. Nampula is divided into seven administrative zones, which are also subdivided into localities, as follows: Urbano Central, Anchilo, Muatala, Muhala, Namikopo, Napipine, and Natikiri. Ever since the establishment of the city, Nampula has had numerous mayors: Population. Religion. Nampula's dominant religions are Christianity and Islam. A small community of Hindus are also present  in the city. Its Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima is the archiepiscopal see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nampula. Notable locals. Abel Xavier, a Portuguese football player, Carlos Queiroz, a Portuguese football manager formerly in charge of Real Madrid, and football manager, Paulo Fonseca were also from Nampula, at that time a city of the Portuguese Overseas Province of Mozambique. Education. The city is home to the Faculty of Health Science, Universidade Lurio. In 2009 a course in optometry was launched, the first of its kind in Mozambique. The course was supported through the Mozambique Eyecare Project. The  other partners include the Dublin Institute of Technology, University of Ulster and Brien Holden Vision Institute. As of 2019, 61 Mozambican students have graduated with optometry degrees from Universidade Lurio (34 male and 27 female). The optometry course is now fully embedded within Universidade Lurio's systems and continues to recruit new students every year. Importantly, optometry is now registered as a profession in Mozambique, and is recognised through membership of African Council of Optometry (AFCO). Of the graduates, 26 are now working in public hospitals. In addition, 10 have university teaching posts (five male and five female). Seven of  the graduates have enrolled on postgraduate programmes (five male and seven female). There is a Portuguese international school, Escola Lusófona de Nampula, as well as four international English-medium schools, with the most notable being Stella Maris International School. Geography. The city of Nampula lies in the centre of the province of Nampula and is surrounded by plains and rocky outcrops. The city lies amongst rolling hills and mountains, typical of the interior of northern Mozambique. Climate. Nampula has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification: Aw).