Mozambique has been through rough times over the years. Once a top travel destination for Europeans eager to visit Africa for beach holidays and safari, Mozambique suffered through a devistating civil war and famine. Now recovering the African nation has much to offer visitors. There are beaches and lagoons, great fishing, wildlife reserves, rare birds, hiking and historical forts along the beaches. The major attraction is the nation's eastern 1,500 mile coastline with its Indian Ocean vistas. Mozambique is a developing nation and is working on developing a strong tourism industry and infrastructure. Located on the southeastern coast of Africa, Mozambique is bordered by Tanzania to the North, Swaziland and South Africa to the South, Zimbabwe to the West and Zambia and Malawi to the northwest.

Mozambique is made up mainly of coastal lowlands, rising toward the west to a plateau ranging from 500 to 2,000 ft above sea level and on the western border to a higher plateau (6,000 to 8,000 ft), with mountains in the north reaching a height of over 8,000 ft. The highest mountains are Namuli (7,936 ft), Binga (7,992 ft) on the Zimbabwean border, and Serra Zuira (7,306 ft) in Sofala Province.

The most important rivers are the Zambezi flowing southeast across the centre of Mozambique into the Indian Ocean, the Limpopo in the south, the Save in the middle and the Lugfenda in the north. The most important lake is the navigable Lake Niassa. In the river valleys and deltas, the soil is rich and fertile, but southern and central Mozambique have poor and sandy soil, and parts of the interior are dry.

Quick Facts

• People
  • Nationality: Noun and adjective--Mozambican(s).
  • Population (2006 est.): 19.7 million; 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
  • Population annual growth rate (2006): 1.3%.
  • Ethnic groups: Makua, Tsonga, Makonde, Shangaan, Shona, Sena, Ndau, and other indigenous groups, and approximately 10,000 Europeans, 35,000 Euro-Africans, and 15,000 South Asians.
  • Religions: Christian 40%, Muslim 20%, indigenous African and other beliefs 40% (1997 census--recent estimates give a higher Muslim percentage).
  • Languages: Portuguese (official), various indigenous languages.
  • Education: Mean years of schooling (adults over 25): men 2.1, women 1.2. Primary net enrollment rate (2003)--61%. Adult illiteracy rate (2003)--53.6%.
  • Health: Infant mortality rate (2006)--129/1,000. Life expectancy (2006)--40 years.
  • Work force (9.4 million est. 2006): Agriculture--81%; industry--6%; services--13% (1997 estimate).
• Government
  • Type: Multi-party democracy.
  • Independence: June 25, 1975.
  • Constitution: November 1990.
  • Branches: Executive--President, Council of Ministers. Legislative--National Assembly, municipal assemblies. Judicial--Supreme Court, provincial, district, and municipal courts. Administrative subdivisions: 10 provinces, 224 districts, and 33 municipalities, of which Maputo City is the largest.
  • Political parties: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO); Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO); numerous small parties.
  • Suffrage: Universal adult, 18 years and older.
• Economy
  • GDP (2007): $7.559 billion.
  • Annual economic (GDP) growth rate (2007): 7.3%.
  • Per capita gross domestic product (2007): $355.
  • Natural resources: Hydroelectric power, coal, natural gas, titanium ore, tantalite, graphite, iron ore, semi-precious stones, and arable land.
  • Agriculture (21% of GDP; annual growth 7.9%): Exports--cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers, beef and poultry. Domestically consumed food crops--corn, pigeon peas, cassava, rice, beef, pork, chicken, and goat.
  • Industry (31% of GDP; annual growth 10%): Types--food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, and tobacco.
  • Services (39.7% of GDP; annual growth 4.7%).
  • Trade: Imports (2006)--$2.82 billion. Import commodities--machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs and textiles. Main suppliers--South Africa, Netherlands, Portugal. Exports (2006)--$2.43 billion. Export commodities--aluminum, cashews, prawns, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber, bulk electricity, natural gas. Main markets--Belgium, South Africa, Zimbabwe.

History

The Bantu-speaking people were the first to live in Mozambique. Arab traders showed up years later and in 1505 the Portuguese claimed the island and set it up as their primary trading center in east Africa.

The Portuguese thoroughly exploited Mozambique, taking every resource and plundering the land for gold, silver and slaves. The Portuguese gave much of the control of Mozambique to pirates who controlled the transportation routes. They also provided slaves for nearby British plantations and mines. Not much attention was focused on developing the local economy.

The next few decades were filled with fighting. In 1960, Portuguese troops opened fire on peaceful protesters—referred to as the Mueda Massacre. Two years later, the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) was formed. It wasn’t until 1975 that Frelimo finally overthrew the Portuguese and became independent and established ties with the Soviet Union.

Threatened by Frelimo’s socialist ties, South Africa and Zimbabwe attempted to destabilize Mozambique in the 1970s. After years of fighting and civilian deaths, they were unsuccessful and the two parties signed a peace treaty in 1992.

Since, the country has been rebuilding its infrastructure with a free-market economy and foreign aid. Mozambique is still one of the poorest countries in the world. At the end of the civil war in 1992, Mozambique ranked among the poorest countries in the world. It still ranks among the least developed nations with very low socioeconomic indicators. In the last decade, however, Mozambique has experienced a notable economic recovery. Per capita GDP in 2006 was estimated at U.S. $320, a significant increase over the mid-1980s level of U.S. $120. With high foreign debt and a good track record on economic reform, Mozambique was the first African nation and sixth country worldwide to qualify for debt relief under the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) initial HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) Initiative. In April 2000, Mozambique qualified for the Enhanced HIPC program and reached its completion point in September 2001. This led to the Paris Club members agreeing in November 2001 to substantially reduce the remaining bilateral debt, resulting in the complete forgiveness of a considerable volume of bilateral debt. The United States already finished the process and has forgiven Mozambique's debt. During their summit in Scotland in July 2005, the G8 nations agreed to significant multilateral debt relief for the world's least developed nations. On December 21, 2005, the IMF formalized the complete cancellation of all Mozambican IMF debt contracted prior to January 1, 2005, worth U.S. $153 million.

Planning your visit

• Passport/Visa Requirements: Passports and visas are required by Australian, Canadian, U.K. and U.S. citizens. Visa fees vary depending upon where they are issued and fines are levied against visitors who overstay their visas (about US$100 per day).
• Population: 20,905,585
• Languages: Portuguese and a number of indigenous languages
• Predominant Religions: Animist, Islamic, Christian
• Time Zone: 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+2 GMT)
• Voltage Requirements: 220 volts. 50Hz and two-pin plugs are also in use
• Telephone Codes: 258, country code; 1(Maputo city code), 3(Beira city code), 6(Nampala city code), 4 (Quelimane city code), 23 (Inhambane city code)

Climate

The climate varies by area. In general, the nicest time to go is from May to October; the days are warm and nights a bit cooler. It rains more the rest of the year, but is still enjoyable. It is about 10F/5C cooler in the mountains. Influenced by the monsoons from the Indian Ocean, the climate is generally tropical and humid. The dry season, in the northern reaches of the country, lasts for about four to six monthsand between six and nine months in the south. October through April is the rainy season.

Money

Currency: meticai

When exchanging money, check that what you receive to make sure it is real and to avoid fraud.

Taxes: 17% value added tax on some items.

Tipping: Tipping is not expected. However, some people have become accustomed to receiving tips from foreigners. If you decide to tip, give around 10% at restaurants and for taxis.

Safety

Since February 2008, an increasing number of protests have occurred, regarding the rise of food and transportation prices. Some of the demonstrations have been violent, so avoid large crowds and protests. Crime has also become a problem in the cities; such as purse snatching, muggings and pick-pocketing. Do not draw attention to yourself by wearing flashing jewelry or clothing or carry large sums of money. Do not walk around Maputo alone at night. It is best to catch a taxi to get around at night. Women should never walk on the beach alone—at any time. Always carry ID with you.

Other tips:

• Be aware the police make random checks for recreational drugs, which will land you in prison.
• Signs reading “Prego” or marked with red-and-white tape signify minefields. Because of past fighting landmines are still in place throughout the country.
• Never take photos of soldiers, airports of government buildings.
• Be aware that water and electricity go out from time to time.