Maputaland is a natural region of Southern Africa. It is located in the northern part of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa between Eswatini and the coast.A survey of tropical southeastern Africa in the context of coastal zone management In a wider sense it may also include the southernmost region of Mozambique. The bird routes and coral reefs off the coast are major tourist attractions.
Now the name of this traditional region is being revived for the Maputaland-Pondoland bushland and thickets, one of the ecoregions of South Africa, as well as for the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Hotspot.Ecoregions of South Africa
Geography Maputaland is bordered by the Ubombo Mountains in the west and the Indian Ocean in the east. It covers an area of about 10,000 km2, stretching approximately from the town of Hluhluwe and the northern section of Lake St. Lucia to the border of Mozambique and South Africa, or beyond to Maputo in Mozambique.Contributions to the ecology of Maputaland, Southern Africa
History and people
Maputaland has historically been inhabited by the Tembe and related Nguni-speaking groups like Nyaka and Emalangeni.Matsebula, J. S. M. (1972). A History of Swaziland. 3rd edition. Longman Publishers: South Africa. pp. 8–9. The Tembe established the Tembe Kingdom in the coastal lowlands between present-day southern Mozambique and northeastern KwaZulu-Natal, with centers around KwaNgwanase (named after Chief Ngwanase Tembe) and the surrounding areas of Kosi Bay in the 17th century.
In the modern era, the chiefly lineage continues under the Tembe Tribal Authority, while part of the historical Tembe territory is protected within Tembe Elephant Park.
Tongaland The South African section of Maputaland was also previously known as Tongaland after the Tonga people who live there. The usually flat region feeds the Phongolo and Mkhuze River. On 11 June 1895, Tongaland was annexed by Great Britain.
'Tongaland', the name of the traditional region of the Tsonga, has now largely fallen into disuse. It is still occasionally found in scientific works though,Turtle Beaches and Coral Reefs of Tongaland as well as in the naming of species, such as the Tongaland cannibal snail (Natalina wesseliana).
See also Maputaland-Lubombo region
References
Bibliography Elephant Coast Visitor Guide, (2007/8). Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei.
External links Maputaland-Pondoland bushland and thickets