CHINBE is still open to coastal ships, but the ex 
terior bank shows depths of only - 5 feet. It is very unstable, 
subjected to coastal alluvial silting and is connected to the Zatn- •• 
bezi by the CHINBE River, which is very narrow and sinuous. 
Although historical evidence proves that the CUAMA 
bar was sought by all boats, it has not been used for a long time. 
However, it appears to be the most suitable one for the intended 
purpose. 
For the above reasons, work has been concentrated 
mainly in this CUAMA bar, thus taking advantage of the Zambezi’s 
strongest arm. 
This solution seemingly counters the orthodox tech- 
nique$ however such a choice agrees with more recent examples, the 
outstanding one of which being the openning to navigation of the 
main arm of the Orinoco River, in Venezuela, in replacement of the 
Macar^o secondary arm, now abandoned. 
2.3 - Usefulness of the controlled mosaic at l/lO.OOO 
The fluvial course of the Zambezi-, from Cabora-Bas- 
sa down to Lupata, had already been mapped at 1/10,000, by ARTOP. 
In the remaining fluvial and fluvio-maritime courses the existing 
»Kail scale maps - 1/50.000 - could not be used as a basis for the 
detailed studies which had to be male. Amongst these, the transver 
se profiles of the river, every 250 meters, deserve to be mentioned. 
Various means of transportation, such as helicopters, boats and 
light planes, are being used for the soundings and other observations 
on the river bed and ofshore bars. 
The M.F, P.Z, intended firstly to have this zone also 
mapped at l/l0.000, This aerial survey was, however, needed much . 
earlier than foreseen. On the other hand, the cost and time requi 
red for its completion, with special emphasis on the field work, 
forced the M.F.P.Z, to seek a different solution. Thus, the "MIS- 
SAO BE FOTOGRAMETRIA AEREA BE MOQAMBIQUE"-merged with the "SERVigOS 
GECGRAFICOS E CABASTRAIS" in 1962 - was approached on the possibility 
of executing urgently a controlled mosaic on a scale of l/l0,000, co 
vering the whole zone. Regarding the location and implantation of 
the profiles, the advantages of a good and up to date controlled mo 
saic, at l/lO,000 ? as compared with a map on the same scale, are quite 
obvious since, even in wild areas, it is always possible to pin point 
ground details. It must be mentioned, however, that in some areas, 
mainly in the delta, the annual floods may appreciably change some of