Niassa Province

Niassa is Mozambique's largest province, covering approximately 16 per cent of the country's total area. It is also the least densely populated province, with an average of only seven people per square.It has an area of 129,056 km2 and a population of 1,027,037 (2006). It is the most sparsely populated province in the country.Lichinga is the capital of the province. There are a minimum estimated 450,000 Yao people living in Mozambique. They largely occupy the eastern and northern part of the Niassa province and form about 40% of the population of Lichinga, the capital of this province. The Ruvuma River forms much of the northern boundary of the province with Tanzania while Lake Niassa forms the western border of the province, separating it from Malawi. 75% of the province remains untouched by development, and remains free of landmine.The province shares the Niassa National Reserve with neighboring Cabo Delgado Province.In 1998, a provincial college was built in Lichinga to train teachers. Partially financed by the Irish Embassy in Maputo, it graduates 60 teachers a year. Apart from training teachers for local schools, the college offers primary school education to the local Lichinga community and works towards reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS in Niassa province.The 15 districts of Niassa Province are: Cuamba District Lago District Lichinga District Majune District Mandimba District Marrupa District Maúa District Mavagoago District Mecenhelas District Mecula District Metarica District Muembe District N'gauma District Nipepe District Sanga District .Niassa Province includes the municipalities of: Cuamba Lichinga Metangula