Tofo
title: "Tofo" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["populated-places-in-inhambane-province", "tourism-in-mozambique"] topic_path: "general/populated-places-in-inhambane-province" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tofo" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| official_name | Tofo |
| other_name | Tofo Mozambique |
| native_name | Nhatofo |
| nickname | Tof |
| image_skyline | Praia do Tofo Moz view 2008.jpg |
| imagesize | 300px |
| pushpin_map | Mozambique |
| pushpin_mapsize | 240 |
| subdivision_type | Country |
| subdivision_name | |
| subdivision_type1 | Province |
| subdivision_name1 | Inhambane |
| subdivision_name2 | Tofinho Backdore |
| leader_title1 | |
| established_title2 | |
| unit_pref | |
| area_total_km2 | 17 |
| area_land_km2 | 9 |
| area_water_km2 | 8 |
| settlement_type | |
| population_total | 15000 |
| population_density_km2 | 7 |
| timezone | +2 |
| coordinates | |
| elevation_footnotes | |
| elevation_m | 0 |
| elevation_ft | 0 |
| postal_code_type | |
| postal_code | 1300 |
| area_code | +258 |
| website | https://tofomz.com |
| footnotes | |
| :: |
| official_name = Tofo | other_name = Tofo Mozambique | native_name = Nhatofo | nickname = Tof | motto = | image_skyline = Praia do Tofo Moz view 2008.jpg | imagesize = 300px | image_caption = | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | image_shield = | shield_size = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_size = | image_map = | mapsize = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Mozambique | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_mapsize = 240 | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Inhambane | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = Tofinho Backdore | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | established_title = | established_date = | established_title2 = | established_date2 = | established_title3 = | established_date3 = | area_magnitude = | unit_pref = | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 17 | area_land_km2 = 9 | area_water_km2 = 8 | area_total_sq_mi = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | area_urban_km2 = | area_urban_sq_mi = | area_metro_km2 = | area_metro_sq_mi = | population_as_of = | population_footnotes = | population_note = | settlement_type = | population_total = 15000 | population_density_km2 = 7 | population_density_sq_mi = | population_metro = | population_density_metro_km2 = | population_density_metro_sq_mi = | population_urban = | population_density_urban_km2 = | population_density_urban_mi2 = | timezone = +2 | utc_offset = | timezone_DST = | utc_offset_DST = | coordinates = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 0 | elevation_ft = 0 | postal_code_type = | postal_code = 1300 | area_code = +258 | website = https://tofomz.com | footnotes = Tofo Beach (Portuguese: Praia do Tofo) or simply Tofo is a small town in southeastern Mozambique. The town lies on the Indian Ocean coast, on Barra Beach peninsula in Inhambane Province, Jangamo District, 22 km drive from Inhambane city.
History
Tofo has a history that dates back to the pre-colonial era. The town was originally inhabited by the Bitonga people, who were skilled fishermen and traders. During the 16th century, Portuguese explorers arrived in the region and established a trading post in nearby Inhambane. This led to the introduction of Christianity and the Portuguese language to the area.
In the 19th century, the Bitonga people were conquered by the Gaza Empire, which was led by the powerful ruler Soshangane. The Gaza Empire controlled much of what is now southern Mozambique, including the Tofo region. The Bitonga people were forced to pay tribute to the Gaza Empire, and many were enslaved and taken to other parts of the empire.
During the colonial era, Tofo and the surrounding region became part of Portuguese East Africa. The Portuguese introduced cashew farming to the area, and many local people were forced to work on the plantations.
References
References
- [https://www.fallingrain.com/world/MZ/03/Praia_do_Tofo.html Praia do Tofo, Mozambique Page]. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc. 1996-2004.
- [http://www.go2africa.com/mozambique/tofo-beach Inhambane Province » Cities and towns » Tofo Beach]. 2008 Go2Africa Pty (Ltd).
- [http://www.mozambicanhotels.com/hotels/tofo/history.php Tofo Beach - History.]: Mozambican Hotels.
- [https://www.go2africa.com/african-travel-blog/tofo-beach-mozambique Tofo Beach - History.]: Mozambican history.
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