Kionga Triangle

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The Kionga Triangle was a tiny territory on the border between German East Africa (present-day United Republic of Tanzania) and the Portuguese colony of Mozambique (present day Republic of Mozambique), totalling just 1000 km² (400 mi²).

This 2½-centavo stamp, used in August 1916, is an overprint on a Lourenço Marques stamp that was itself overprinted "REPUBLICA" on a King Carlos issue of 1898.

Originally the Germans established this as their outpost south of the Rovuma River, and there was a settlement Kionga of 4,000 inhabitants (1910), now Quionga. But in 1916, during World War I, the Portuguese occupied it, and after the war the Treaty of Versailles defined the border as running along the Rovuma, thus allotting the triangle to Mozambique. When Mozambique became independent, on June 25, 1975, the Kionga remained with it, as part of Cabo Delgado Province.

[edit] Postage stamps

On May 29, 1916, 100-reis postage stamps from Lourenço Marques were overprinted with "KIONGA" and one of the denominations ½c, 1c, 2½c, and 5c. These were the only stamps issued for Kionga, and are uncommon, today selling for US$15–$20.

[edit] Reference

• Thomas, H.B., "The Kionga Triangle", Tanganyika Notes and Records Volume 31 1951, pp. 47–50.

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