# Beira

> city in Mozambique

**Wikidata**: [Q211563](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q211563)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beira,_Mozambique)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/beira

## Summary
Beira is a major city and municipality located in Mozambique, serving as the capital of the Sofala province and situated within Beira District. As a large human settlement, it had a population of approximately 530,604 residents as of 2019 and covers a total area of 633 square kilometers.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Beira is a city in Mozambique, located at coordinates -19.8333 latitude and 34.85 longitude, situated within Beira District and the Sofala province.
- **Administrative Role**: It serves as the capital of the Sofala province and is classified as a city, a municipality of Mozambique, and a "big city."
- **Population**: The preferred population estimate is 530,604 (2019), with a census figure of 533,825 recorded in 2017. Historical data shows growth from 24,700 in 1940 to over 500,000 in the 21st century.
- **Area**: The city encompasses a total area of 633 square kilometers.
- **Elevation**: Beira sits at an elevation of 14 meters above sea level.
- **Time Zone**: The city observes the UTC+01:00 time zone.
- **History**: Beira has recorded inception dates of 1887 and 1891, depending on the source.
- **Codes and Identifiers**: The UN/LOCODE is MZBEW, and the postal code is 2100. Its GeoNames ID is 1052373, and its GND ID is 4080326-0.
- **Sister Cities**: Beira is twinned with several cities including Bristol, Padua (since 1995), Amsterdam, Coimbra, Espinho (since 1999), Aracaju, Bender, and Seixal.
- **Website**: The official website is http://municipiobeira.gov.mz/.
- **External Identifiers**: The city has a variety of database IDs including VIAF IDs (130251847, 127844695), a Freebase ID (/m/03mj1d), and a BBC Things ID (a1141b87-7cb2-4a3e-8c7e-7456524bd6b4).

## FAQs
**Where is Beira located and what is its administrative function?**
Beira is a city and municipality in Mozambique that acts as the capital of the Sofala province. It is geographically located within Beira District at coordinates -19.8333, 34.85.

**What is the population history of Beira?**
The city's population has grown significantly from 24,700 in 1940 to an estimated 530,604 in 2019. A census recorded 533,825 residents in 2017, while other estimates include 436,240 in 2007 and 439,264 in 2008.

**When was Beira founded?**
Historical records provide two inception dates for the city: 1887 and 1891.

**What are the key logistical codes for Beira?**
Beira utilizes the UN/LOCODE MZBEW and the postal code 2100. It is located in the UTC+01:00 time zone and covers an area of 633 square kilometers.

**Which cities is Beira twinned with?**
Beira has established sister city relationships with Bender, Bristol, Padua (since 1995), Seixal, Amsterdam, Coimbra, Espinho (since 1999), and Aracaju.

## Why It Matters
Beira is a critical urban center in Mozambique, holding the administrative status of a provincial capital for Sofala. Its sustained population growth, expanding from tens of thousands in the mid-20th century to over half a million today, underscores its importance as a hub for human settlement and economic activity in the region. The city's global connectivity is evidenced by its extensive network of twin cities across Europe, Africa, and South America, as well as its recognition in numerous international encyclopedias and databases. As the subject of extensive documentation in over 60 languages on Wikipedia and various academic sources, Beira serves as a significant point of interest for historical, geographical, and demographic studies.

## Notable For
- **Population Growth**: Transitioned from a population of 24,700 in 1940 to over 530,000 in recent estimates.
- **Global Documentation**: Features a Wikipedia presence in 60+ languages, ranging from Afrikaans and Arabic to Chinese and Zulu.
- **Specific Twinning Dates**: Formalized partnerships with Padua in 1995 and Espinho in 1999.
- **Comprehensive Cataloging**: Listed in diverse databases including the Great Russian Encyclopedia, Encyclopædia Universalis, and the Library of Congress.
- **Unique Digital Identifiers**: Possesses a specific BBC Things ID and a WorldCat Entities ID, alongside older identifiers like Freebase.
- **Distinct Classification**: Categorized as a "big city" and a "municipality of Mozambique."

## Body

### Geography and Location
Beira is situated in Mozambique, specifically within the Beira District and the Sofala province. The geographical coordinates for the city are -19.8333 latitude and 34.85 longitude. It covers a land area of 633 square kilometers and has an elevation of 14 meters above sea level. The city operates in the UTC+01:00 time zone.

### Demographics and Population History
The city has experienced significant demographic changes over the decades. In 1940, the population was recorded at 24,700, which rose to 42,000 in 1950 and 58,200 in 1960. By 1970, the population reached 113,770. The 1980s saw varied estimates, with figures of 230,744 in 1980, an estimated 350,000 in 1984, and an estimated 246,000 in 1986.
In 1997, the population was estimated at 397,368. The 2000s provided several data points, including a 2005 population estimation of 530,700, a 2007 estimate of 436,240, and a 2008 estimate of 439,264. The most rigorous counts came later, with a 2017 census recording 533,825 residents and a preferred estimate of 530,604 in 2019.

### History and Administration
Beira is historically linked to two founding years: 1887 and 1891. Administratively, it functions as the capital of the Sofala province. It is classified as a city, a municipality of Mozambique, and a "big city." The city is distinct from the entity named "Bella."

### International Relations
Beira participates in several international sister city arrangements. These include twinning with Bender, Bristol, Padua (a relationship started in 1995), Seixal, Amsterdam, Coimbra, Espinho (a relationship started in 1999), and Aracaju.

### Bibliographic and Digital Identifiers
Beira is cataloged in numerous global databases and systems:
- **Library Systems**: GND ID (4080326-0), VIAF IDs (130251847, 127844695), and Library of Congress Authority ID (n80144321).
- **Academic and Encyclopedic**: IdRef ID (153259647), Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID, Encyclopædia Universalis ID, and Great Russian Encyclopedia Online ID.
- **Geographic and Technical**: GeoNames ID (1052373), UN/LOCODE (MZBEW), OpenStreetMap node ID (259593578), and GNS Unique Feature ID (-307278).
- **Digital Platforms**: Freebase ID (/m/03mj1d), BBC Things ID (a1141b87-7cb2-4a3e-8c7e-7456524bd6b4), and WHO's on First ID (421167895).
- **Other IDs**: SNARC ID (odeon of Lyon), FactGrid item ID (The Italian Brigands), and Yale Lux ID (place/bdfba719-02c4-488a-81e9-bcd34c2046fd).

### Media and Documentation
The city has a wide array of visual and audio documentation available. An image of the city center is hosted on Wikimedia Commons, along with a city banner and a locator map from 2018. There is also a German pronunciation audio file available. The main Wikipedia title is "Beira, Mozambique," and the city has a dedicated category on Wikimedia Commons. It is the subject of a specific timeline of history and is categorized for people born there, associated people, and views of the item.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.comune.padova.it/informazione/beira-mozambico)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
4. Belarusian encyclopedia (vol. 2)
5. [Great Russian Encyclopedia](https://old.bigenc.ru/geography/text/1852721)
6. [Encyclopædia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/place/Beira-Mozambique)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Q120475222
9. GeoNames
10. BBC Things
11. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/mz.htm)
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File