Mozambique

MOZAMBIQUE

Information about travelling to Mozambique

Mozambique is located in Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania

Facts about Mozambique
Population21,284,700 note: es
CapitalMaputo
Time zoneUTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Location Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania

General info about Mozambique
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 until the mid 1990's. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) 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 between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment. Mozambique has seen very strong economic growth since the end of the civil war largely due to post-conflict reconstruction.
Disease threats
degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepat
Languages spoken
Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spoken by 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreign languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3% (1997 census)
What about drugs?
southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center
Ethnic division
African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%
HIV/AIDS prevalence rate
12.2% (2003 est.)
Climate
tropical to subtropical
Resources
coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite
Economy
At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. Inflation was reduced to single digits during the late 1990s, and although it returned to double digits in 2000-06, in 2007 inflation had slowed to 8%, while GDP growth reached 7.5%. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance for much of its annual budget, and the majority of the population remains below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force. A substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the Mozal aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date, has increased export earnings. At the end of 2007, and after years of negotiations, the government took over Portugal's majority share of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectricity (HCB) company, a dam that was not transferred to Mozambique at independence because of the ensuing civil war and unpaid debts. More power is needed for additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing that could further close the import/export gap. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level. In July 2007 the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a Compact with Mozambique; the Mozambican government moved rapidly to ratify the Compact and propose a plan for funding.
Environment
a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem

Cities in Mozambique

angoche     beira     chibuto     chimoio     chokwe     cuamba     dondo     inhambane     lichinga     macia     manica     manjacaze     maputo     matola     maxixe     mocambique     mocuba     montepuez     nacala     nampula     pemba     quelimane     tete     xai-xai    


Airports in Mozambique
Alto MolocueAME
AngocheANO
NampulaAPL
BeiraBEW
BajoneBJN
CaiaCMZ
CuambaFXO
IboIBO
InhamingaIMG
ChindeINE
InhambaneINH
LuaboLBM
PalmaLMZ
MomaMMW
NacalaMNC
Maputo InternationalMPM
MontepuezMTU
MuedaMUD
NangadeNND
Santa CarolinaNTC
PebanePEB
PembaPOL
MarromeuRRM
TeteTCV
MatundaTET
ChokweTGS
QuelimaneUEL
GurueVJQ
VilanculosVNX
ChimoioVPY
LichingaVXC


Beer in Mozambique (0.33l)
Maputo~ 0.5 EUR

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