Country:  Republic of Mozambique (formerly Portuguese East Africa)

Geography:  Mozambique is in Southeastern Africa and is bordered by Tanzania to the north; Zambia and Malawi to the northwest; Zimbabwe to the west; and South Africa and Swaziland to the southwest. The Indian Ocean lies to the east. There is a coastline of nearly 1550 miles. In addition to the coastal lowlands, there are high plateaus in the northwest, mountains in the west, and highlands in the center. The Zambezi is the largest river that flows through Mozambique. 

Area:  801,590 sq km; slightly less than twice the size of California 

Background/History:  “Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development. The ruling party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement with rebel forces ended the fighting in 1992. Heavy flooding in both 1999 and 2000 severely hurt the economy. Political stability and sound economic policies have encouraged recent foreign investment.” (CIA-World Fact Book 2004) 

Population:  18,811,731 (July 2004 est.) 

Population Growth Rate:  1.22% (2004 est.) 

Fertility Rate:  4.78 children born/woman (2004 est.) 

Infant Mortality Rate:  137.08 deaths/1,000 live births           

Life Expectancy at Birth:  37.1 years 

HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate:  12.2% (2003 est.) 

Language:  Portuguese, spoken by 27% of the population as a second language, is the official language. Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, and Sena are also spoken in addition to numerous other indigenous languages. 

Capital:  Maputo 

Government:  Republic 

Climate:  Varies. Inland is cooler than the coast and rainfall higher as the land rises, with most rain between January and March. The hottest and wettest season is from October to March. From April to September the coast has warm, mainly dry weather.  

Religion:  Indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20% 

Currency:  Metical (MZM) 

Labor Force:  agriculture 81%, industry 6%, services 13% (1997 est.) 

Natural Resources:  coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite 

Agriculture Products:  cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry 

Economy:  Mozambique was one of the world’s poorest countries when they became independent in 1975. The situation was worsened due to socialist mismanagement and a civil war lasting from 1977-1992.  The economy has improved due to government reforms. Mozambique remains dependant upon foreign assistance and the majority of the population remains below the poverty line. The majority of the workforce is employed in subsistence agriculture. 

Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique
1990 M Street, NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 293 7146/9. Fax: (202) 835 0245.
E-mail: embamoc@aol.com
Website: www.embamoc-usa.org

Embassy of the United States of America
Avenida Kenneth Kaunda 193, CP783, Maputo, Mozambique
Tel: (1) 492 797 or 491 659. Fax: (1) 490 114.

(Information obtained from the World Fact Book 2004 and other sources)