on the island in 1498, and in 1507 a permanent Portuguese settlement was established. It prospered as both a trading station and a naval base. In the late 16th century, the sprawling fort of São Sebastião was constructed. The island soon became capital of Portuguese East Africa - a status that it held until the end of the 19th century when the capital was transferred to Lourenço Marques (now Maputo).
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