About Mozambique

Mozambique is located in southeastern Africa, positioned between approximately 10° 30' and 26° 52' South latitude and 30° 12' and 40° 51' East longitude. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, and South Africa and Eswatini to the south. Covering an area of 801,590 km², Mozambique is one of the largest countries in Africa. Its coastline along the Indian Ocean stretches for about 2,500 km, making it a significant maritime nation.

Mozambique was part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana and shares a geological connection with Madagascar, which split from the mainland about 160 million years ago. This ancient separation has contributed to unique geological features and diverse ecosystems in Mozambique. The country is known for its rich biodiversity, including mangroves, coral reefs, and wildlife reserves, as well as its vast natural resources like coal, gas, and minerals, which play a crucial role in its economy.

Mozambique's history is deeply rooted in the ancient civilizations of East, Central, and Southern Africa, where complex societies based on agriculture, cattle rearing, mining, and craft-making flourished as early as the 1st millennium CE. The coastline played a pivotal role in the Indian Ocean trade network, with Swahili city-states like Sofala and Mozambique Island serving as hubs for commerce in gold, ivory, and slaves, connecting Africa’s interior to India, the Persian Gulf, and beyond. Portuguese influence began with Vasco da Gama’s arrival in 1498, leading to a colonial administration focused on trade control and resource exploitation. Despite Portuguese dominance, indigenous communities resisted, preserving their cultural and social systems. In the mid-20th century, the rise of nationalist movements, led by FRELIMO (Frente de Libertação de Moçambique), culminated in Mozambique’s independence in 1975. The post-independence period was marked by a civil war between FRELIMO and RENAMO (Resistência Nacional Moçambicana) (1977–1992), ending with a peace agreement that enabled Mozambique to rebuild. Today, Mozambique's history reflects its rich pre-colonial heritage, its role in regional trade, and its resilience through struggles for independence and peace.

Mozambique, located in southeastern Africa, has a population of approximately 32 million people, making it one of the most populous countries in the region. The population is predominantly rural, with around 66% of people living in rural areas, relying heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods. Mozambique is home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups, including the Makua, Tsonga, Sena, and Shona, each contributing to the country’s rich cultural heritage. Portuguese, the official language, is widely spoken, alongside numerous indigenous languages such as Makhuwa, Sena, and Tsonga. The population is youthful, with over 60% under the age of 25, reflecting a high birth rate and rapid growth. However, Mozambique faces challenges such as poverty, limited access to healthcare, and high rates of infectious diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS. Despite these obstacles, the country has shown significant progress in education and economic development, driven by its youthful and resilient population.

Mozambique's culture is a vibrant blend of African, Portuguese, and Arab influences, shaped by its diverse ethnic groups and rich history. Ethnic communities such as the Makua, Tsonga, Shona, and Sena contribute unique traditions, music, and dance styles, while Portuguese colonial rule has left a lasting impact on the country’s language, cuisine, and art. Music and dance are central to Mozambican life, with traditional instruments like the marimba and timbila accompanying styles such as Mapiko and Makwayela, alongside modern genres like marrabenta and pandza. Artistic expression thrives in crafts like wood carving, basket weaving, and pottery, with the Makonde people renowned for their intricate carvings and masks. Religion is diverse, blending Christianity, Islam, and traditional African beliefs, often celebrated through festivals and rituals that bring communities together. Mozambique’s cultural richness reflects its historical connections and the enduring creativity and resilience of its people.

Portuguese is the official language of Mozambique, chosen for political reasons to promote national unity and because, at independence, no local language was deemed sufficiently modern to convey science and technology or function as a lingua franca. While Portuguese is the country’s official language, it is spoken by only around half of the population and as a mother tongue by just 6%. The other widely spoken primary languages include Makhuwa, Changana, Nyanja, Ndau, Sena, Chwabo, and Tswa. Mozambique is home to over 40 languages and 30 linguistic groups, predominantly of Bantu origin, but also includes European languages like English, French, Spanish, and Italian, as well as African languages such as Arabic, and Asian languages like Hindi, Gujarati, and Chinese. Portuguese is more common in urban areas (55%) than in rural areas (45%), and 61% of its speakers are men. Despite its official status, Bantu languages dominate everyday communication, accounting for 90% of usage across the country.

Mozambique has a predominantly tropical climate, influenced by the Indian Ocean monsoon rains, with warmer temperatures in the northeast and cooler conditions in the highlands around Gurue and along the northern and western borders. Average temperatures range from the mid-20s °C (70s °F) to low 30s °C (upper 80s °F) in the Zambezi valley and northeastern coast. The northern and central regions are humid and receive the highest precipitation, ranging from 40 to 70 inches annually, while the southern interior is semiarid, with periodic droughts and annual rainfall as low as 24 inches in some areas.

Mozambique's plant life includes dense forests in the north-central interior and Chimoio Plateau, transitioning to savanna grasslands in the south. The country is home to diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, giraffes, antelopes, and crocodiles, as well as numerous bird species like flamingos, herons, and cranes. Key conservation areas include Gorongosa, Zinave, Bazaruto, and Banhine national parks, along with the transnational Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which connects Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Mozambique possesses commercially significant deposits of coal (including high-quality coking and thermal coal), graphite, iron ore, titanium, apatite, marble, bentonite, bauxite, kaolin, copper, gold, rubies, and tantalum. The country is also home to some of the world’s largest untapped coal reserves, making it a key player in the global coal industry.

Maize and cassava are the major staples; other food crops include sorghum, millet, rice, beans, groundnut, sweet potatoes and a wide variety of vegetables. Maize is grown in all regions of the country by about 79 percent of rural households and occupies about 35 percent of total planted area.

The limited development of heavier industry, such as the metalworking and railway equipment sector, was linked to trade, service, and transportation agreements with neighboring countries. The main manufacturing products in Mozambique include wheat flour, food, beverages, aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, and tobacco.

Mozambique’s most important exports by value include aluminum, shrimp, and cotton. Mozambique’s major export partners include parts of Western Europe 24.81%, India 22.4%, South Africa 9.15%, South Korea 8.18%, China 5.81% and Zimbabwe 2.88%. Mozambique is reliant on imports of refined petroleum oils, electrical energy, and motor vehicles, mainly imported from South Africa 23.5%, South Korea 19.9%, China 12% and parts of Asia.

Mozambican metical (MZN)