Position of the state of Mozambique in the world. Full description of Mozambique

While spending your holiday in Mozambique, be sure to visit the capital of this state - Maputo. The capital of Mozambique is a port city located on the shore of a bay bearing the same name.

Maputo is considered the most beautiful, however, it does not have a very good location.

The capital of Mozambique dates back to 1781, when a Portuguese fortress appeared in the local tropical swamps. Now on the site of the fortress there is a fort named after the Virgin. Several centuries ago, Maputo was a picturesque and interesting city that attracted many travelers. Unfortunately, after military operations on its territory, the capital of Mozambique lost its former attractiveness, and its appearance became rather repulsive. These days, Maputo is actively recovering.

As for the population of the city, most of it belongs to the Bantu people. There are also quite a lot of representatives of the Tsonga, Ngoni and Makua ethnic groups living here. But, in addition to Africans, in the capital of Mozambique you can often see people from Asia and Portugal. More than half of the residents of Maputo are adherents of local rituals and cults. Catholics make up approximately 35% of the capital's population, and Muslims make up about 15%. The official language here is Portuguese, but everyday life The languages ​​of local African peoples and ethnic groups are also used everywhere.

The city can be divided into Upper and the city is located by the sea; there are both buildings from the beginning of the 20th century and quite modern urban structures. In the Upper Town you can see many hotels, mansions and various local attractions.

The most interesting sights of Maputo include the train station and the Natural History Museum. The station, built at the beginning of the 20th century, was designed by Eiffel himself. Recently, large-scale renovation work was carried out at the station, after which it began to resemble a palace, the arches of which are crowned by a huge, richly decorated dome. The History Museum boasts interesting exhibits representing archaeological finds dating back to the emergence of man. In addition, the museum has interesting exhibits telling about the resources and nature of Mozambique.

The capital of Mozambique also boasts the most picturesque botanical garden, where you can enjoy the most beautiful nature, temporarily escaping the bustle of the city. Maputo is a unique harmonious combination of a wide variety of cultures: Portuguese, Indian and Chinese. Such diversity could not but affect local cuisine. Besides traditional dishes inherent in each of the listed cultures, here you can taste delicious Arabic dishes, as well as seafood for every taste.

IN lately Mozambique, whose capital is famous for its gorgeous beaches and exotica, attracts more and more tourists from the most different corners Earth.

The official name is the Republic of Mozambique (Republica de Mogambique). Located in southeast Africa. Area 801.6 thousand km2, including 17.5 thousand km2 of lake water surface. Population - 19.6 million people. (2002, evaluation). State language- Portuguese. The capital is Maputo (more than 1 million people, 2002). Public holiday - Independence Day on June 25 (since 1975). The monetary unit is metical. Member of 45 international organizations, including the UN (since 1975), AU (since 2000), SADC (since 1992).

Sights of Mozambique

Geography of Mozambique

Located between 30°30′ and 4Г24′ east longitude, 10°30′ and 26°18′ south latitude. In the east it is washed Indian Ocean, the coast is slightly dissected, but there are several convenient bays. Mozambique is bordered in the north by Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia, in the west by Zimbabwe, and in the south by Swaziland and South Africa. The relief of the territory is quite monotonous; it is a flat plateau, inclined from west to east. Only in the north-west do small mountain spurs rise. The highest peak is Mount Binga (2436 m). In the east, the plateau turns into a horizontal coastal plain, stretching from the border with Tanzania to the border with South Africa, accounting for 45% of the entire territory. From west to east, the country is cut by 25 fairly deep rivers flowing into the Indian Ocean, the largest of which is the Zambezi. Of the 820 km of its channel in Mozambique, 460 km are navigable. On the border with Malawi is Lake Nyasa, and on the border with Zimbabwe is the Kabora Bassa reservoir. The soils are very diverse: sandy, red-brown laterized and alferritic, alluvial, etc. Flora diverse. The main plant formations: north of the Ruvuma River - steppe savanna with islands of trees, between the Ruvuma and Zambezi rivers - forest savanna, south of the Zambezi - park savanna. Along the river banks grow gallery tropical forests with valuable tree species. The ocean coast is fringed with palm trees and mangroves. The fauna is rich; national parks and reserves have been created to protect large mammals. The subsoil has been poorly explored, the discovered minerals indicate their wealth. Coal deposits are known (its reserves are estimated at 10 billion tons), iron ore(500 million tons), tantalite, ilmenite, graphite, bauxite, manganese, platinum, gold, nickel, uranium, titanium, zirconium. In 1999, geologists discovered another titanium deposit, perhaps the largest in the world (100 million tons of metal). Two deposits discovered natural gas(reserves of at least 60 billion m3). The climate is tropical in most of the country and subtropical in the far south. There are dry and wet seasons. The temperature on the coast in the dry season is +18.3-20.0°C, and in the wet season +26.7-29.4°C. The western regions, located higher above sea level, are cooler. Mozambique is subject to frequent floods and droughts. Annual precipitation: from 750 mm in the south to 1500 mm in the north.

Population of Mozambique

According to the 1980 and 1997 censuses, the population doubled during this period, and the population growth rate was approx. 4% per year. In 2002 they dropped to 1.13% due to the AIDS pandemic. Fertility rate 36.41%, mortality 25.13%, infant mortality 138.55 people. per 1000 newborns. Sex and age structure (2002): 0-14 years - 42.5% (4,162,413 men and 4,176,295 women), 15-64 years - 54.7% (5,313,511 and 5,407,052, respectively), 65 years and older - 2.8% (227,761 and 320,487). Average duration life 34.46 years (2002). Literacy of the population is 42.3%. 99.66% of the population belongs to the Bantu language family. The ethnic composition is very diverse, especially in the south of the country. The largest ethnic groups: Makwelomwe (40% of the population), Tonga, Shona. In the north of the country, the language of communication along with Portuguese is Swahili. 30% of the population are Christians, 20% are Muslims, the rest adhere to local beliefs.

History of Mozambique

The original population of Mozambique were Bushmen, who were displaced by the Bantus who came from Sudan. From the 8th century Arabs settled on the coast and created trading posts for trade with the intertribal formations that existed here. Merchants from Iran, India, China and Indonesia also came here. For the 13th-15th centuries. marks the heyday of the Monomotapa state, which existed for several centuries on the territory of today's Zimbabwe and Mozambique. In 1498 Mozambique was discovered by Vasco da Gama. From the beginning 16th century The Portuguese began to build forts on the coast and colonize the interior. In the 17th century The Portuguese attempted to conquer Monomotapa, but were defeated. A few decades after this, Monomotapa disintegrated. In 1752, the Portuguese possessions were united into the colony of Mozambique, the main source of income of which was the slave trade. The borders of Portuguese Mozambique were established at the Berlin Conference of 1884-85, but the conquest of the interior continued until the beginning. 20th century The first anti-colonial organizations arose in the 1920s, their goal was to improve the situation of Africans under the colonial regime. After World War 2, new forms of resistance emerged. Dockers' strikes took place in 1949, 1951 and 1963. In 1960-61 arose political parties who demanded that the country be granted independence. In 1962 they united into the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELI-MO) led by E. Mondlane. In 1964, FRELIMO announced the beginning of an armed struggle, which took on the character of a protracted guerrilla war. During the struggle for independence, E. Mondlane died. The new government in Lisbon, which came to power after the revolution in Portugal in 1974, decided to decolonize its overseas possessions, and in 1975 Mozambique gained independence, and FRELIMO leader Samora Machel became its first president. In 1977, FRELIMO proclaimed itself a “vanguard Marxist-Leninist party” and declared its goal to build a socialist society. The government nationalized industrial enterprises, plantations, and banks. Tens of thousands of Portuguese were forced to leave the country. The emigration of qualified personnel led to the closure of many enterprises, the abandonment of plantations, and food shortages. Opponents of FRELIMO took advantage of the discontent of the population, creating the National Resistance Movement of Mozambique (RENAMO). With the support of racist South Africa, it began armed struggle against the government. The South African army has repeatedly invaded Mozambique, providing support to RENAMO troops. In 1981, the armed forces of Zimbabwe, acting on the side of FRELIMO, entered Mozambique. The internal conflict grew into an international one. In 1986, President S. Machel died in a plane crash. His successor was Joaquim Chissano. Under him, in 1989, the internal political course of the government began to change: liberalization of the economy began, a draft of a new Constitution was developed, which provided for a multi-party structure and elections of bodies state power. In 1992, negotiations began between the government and RENAMO to end the civil war and hold presidential and parliamentary elections. In April 1994, through UN mediation, a compromise was reached. General elections took place in October 1994. Chissano was elected president. In parliament, FRELIMO received 129 of 250 seats, and RENAMO - 112 seats, 9 seats went to small parties. The difficult problem in 1995-96 was the demobilization of most of the state and rebel military formations and the creation of a unified army. New army it was necessary to fight to eliminate the armed groups of robbers who refused to surrender their weapons. In December 1999, the second presidential and parliamentary elections were held. Chissano was re-elected president, FRELIMO received a parliamentary majority, but the opposition turned out to be represented not by several parties, but only by RENAMO. In the beginning 2000 Mozambique was hit by catastrophic flooding. 640 people died, entire villages were washed away, crops were destroyed on 10% of the cultivated land, and tens of kilometers of railways and highways were demolished. In 2000, relations between the government and RENAMO worsened; RENAMO leader A. Dhlakama even threatened to start guerrilla warfare. In 2001, an agreement was reached between him and Chissano on constant consultations in order to preserve democracy in Mozambique. In con. 2001 Chissano made a statement saying that he did not intend to run for president in the 2004 elections.

Government and political system of Mozambique

Mozambique is a parliamentary republic with a strong presidency. The Constitution of 1990 is in force (as amended in 1996). Administratively, Mozambique is divided into the capital and 10 provinces (Maputo, Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia). Large cities: Maputo, Beira, Nampula. The head of state and government is the president. The highest legislative body is the parliament (Assembly of the Republic). The highest body of executive power is the government formed by the president (Cabinet of Ministers) headed by the prime minister. The President is elected by the population for a term of 5 years. In the 1999 elections, Chissano received 52.3% of the votes, and A. Dhlakama - 47.7%. The National Assembly consists of 250 deputies and is elected by general elections for a 5-year term. In the 1999 elections, FRELIMO received 48.54% of the votes (133 seats), RENAMO - 38.81% (117 seats). More than 12% of the votes went to parties that did not overcome the 5% threshold. The system of local authorities - provincial, city and district municipalities elected by the population - is just being created. In most cases these are designated authorities. Outstanding politician was Eduardo Mondlane (1920-69) - founder of FRELIMO, who died at the hands of the Portuguese secret service. More than 30 parties have been registered, but in fact a two-party system has already been formed: FRELIMO and RENAMO. Leading business organizations: Mozambique Chamber of Commerce. Public organizations: Confederation of Free and Independent Trade Unions of Mozambique; Mozambique Workers' Organization - Central Trade Union; Christian Council of Mozambique. Domestic policy aimed at stabilizing the political and social situation, solving problems through dialogue with the opposition, trade unions, entrepreneurs, and employing military personnel of both sides who took part in the civil war. Foreign policy is characterized by the desire to maintain good relations with all countries of the world, but special attention allocated to the states on which economic assistance for economic recovery is most dependent - the USA, South Africa and EU countries. Armed forces consist of the army, air force, navy and paramilitary police forces. The army size is 11 thousand, incl. Air Force - 1 thousand, Navy - 0.6 thousand (2001). Army spending $35.1 million (1% of GDP) (2000). Mozambique has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in 1975).

Economy of Mozambique

After the country gained independence, the economy fell into complete decline until the middle. 1990s was in a state of stagnation. Now the economic recovery process is underway, but it has not yet reached the level of 1974, although the growth rate is very high (in 1993-2001 an average of 7.2% per year). Due to a catastrophic flood in 2000, they dropped to 2.1%, but in 2001 GDP increased by 13.9% and amounted to $4 billion, i.e. $230 per capita. Economically active population (1997) 7.4 million people, unemployment 21%. Inflation 10% (2001). Distribution of GDP by economic sector (2000, %): agriculture - 33, industry - 25, services - 42. Employment by industry (1997, %): agriculture - 81, industry - 6, services - 13. The restoration of manufacturing industries has begun industries that were based on the processing of agricultural raw materials - sugar and flour mills, vegetable oil production. In addition to enterprises food industry a cement plant, a fertilizer plant, a textile factory, and ceramic workshops were restored. However, by 2001, production in these traditional Mozambican industries had not reached pre-war levels, with the exception of the sugar industry, where it was surpassed. Of the new sectors of the food industry, it should be noted the commissioning of two breweries and cashew nut cleaning plants. There are also small enterprises producing glass, paper, car tires, railway cars. In 2000, the Fiat car assembly plant began operating; it will produce 300 cars per year, i.e. 10% of passenger cars purchased in the country. The first steps have been taken in creating a metallurgical industry. In 2001, the first stage of an aluminum smelter worth $1.3 billion went into operation. Investors are South African corporations (74%) and the Japanese Mitsubishi (26%). Designed to produce 500 thousand tons of metal per year, it will become one of the largest in the world. The plant operates on South African raw materials, and in the future will switch to Mozambican bauxite. In 1998, an agreement was signed to build a plant also near Maputo ferrous metallurgy worth 2.5 billion dollars and a capacity of 4 million tons of steel per year. A foreign consortium agreed to finance this project. It would give impetus to the start of exploitation of the gas field in Panda, since the plant is planned to operate on gas. Construction was supposed to begin in 2000, but technical difficulties arose while finalizing the project. In 2000, it was revised to reduce cost and capacity: productivity - 2 million tons, and investment volume - 1.1 billion US dollars. In 1999, the South African company J.K.I. and Mitsubishi signed an agreement with the government to build a direct iron reduction plant in Beira. Its cost is $800 million. The project includes the construction of a sea pier. The plant will also operate on gas from the Teman field, which is licensed to the South African corporation SASOL. In 1994-2000, annual growth of the manufacturing industry averaged 8.5%. In the beginning 21st century more are expected fast pace thanks to the restoration of transport infrastructure and the commissioning of metallurgical plants. The share of the mining industry in GDP in 2001 did not exceed 0.3%. The Civil War led to the closure of the few operating mines and mines. The mine in Moatitsa, which produced 600 thousand tons of coal per year, was flooded, and in 2000 production amounted to 16 thousand tons. A project for the restoration of the mine and associated infrastructure has been developed. It provides for an increase in production to 3 million tons, which requires a loan of $600 million. The loan will be repaid through coal exports. In 2000, a corresponding agreement was concluded between the government and a foreign consortium, but the project cannot be implemented without restoring the railway connecting Moatice with Beira and expanding the capacity of the coal loading terminal in the port of Beira from 0.4 million to 1.2 million tons, for which another $500 million is required. In 2001, the EU agreed to contribute $72 million to rebuild the infrastructure, but creditors for the missing amount have not yet been found. The government has established a Mozambican-Irish joint venture to mine 5,000 tonnes per year of very pure graphite (98% carbon) and is negotiating another joint venture to mine titanium in Nampula province (project cost $150 million). Mining started small quantity tantalite. Many foreign firms have shown interest in opening a very large deposit titanium, and, according to the minister mineral resources and energy, its operation may begin in mid. 2000s The English corporation Lonro began gold mining (50 kg in 1999) and plans to increase it to 240 kg. An Israeli company mines emeralds and garnets. In 2002, an Italian company began restoring the marble quarry in Montepuese. Before independence, agriculture provided the country's food needs and 80% of exports. During the civil war, 80% of the peasants fled from the Zambezi Valley, the country's breadbasket. Until 1995, food was imported; the share of agricultural products in exports does not exceed 25%. Only 5% of the territory is used for agriculture. Main food crops (thousand tons, 2000): cassava (5362) and corn (1019). Rice (151), sorghum (252), bananas (59), cotton (23), cashew nuts (58), sugar cane (397), coca nuts (300), copra, sisal, fruits and vegetables are also grown. Livestock plays a minor role in Mozambican households. Its development is hampered by the tsetse fly, which is widespread in 2/3 of the country. The main area of ​​livestock farming is the Gaza province, where there are more than 500 thousand heads of cattle (in total there are 1.3 million heads in the country, 2000). Since 1994, there has been an increase in agricultural production by an average of 4.8% per year, and in 1998 the increase was 8%. In 1998, a five-year restoration program was developed agriculture(Proagri), for which Western investors allocated $200 million, and Mozambique has already received half of this amount. With the help of foreign specialists, a program to revive cotton plantations in the north of the country is being implemented. Under their leadership, peasants grow cotton on rented plots and hand over the harvest to the state company. Sugarcane is one of the few cash crops whose yields have exceeded pre-war levels. Another new and rapidly growing branch of agriculture is the cultivation of cashew nuts. The program to expand their plantings is financed by France, and a loan of $20 million was taken out for the construction of nut cleaning plants. In 2000, cashew plantations were severely damaged by floods. Nevertheless, the government intends to increase the cashew harvest to 100 thousand tons by the end of the decade. Timber harvesting is carried out mainly along the railway running from Beira to Zimbabwe, and in the province of Zambezia. Timber is exported to South Africa. Forest industry output remained unchanged in the 1990s. at the same level (18-20 million m3), but South African investment of US$86.5 million should lead to an increase in timber production in the beginning. 2000s Fishing began to develop only in the 1990s. The main object of fishing is not fish, but shrimp. In 2000, they accounted for 40% of exports. Spain and Japan provided loans for the construction of a fishing complex in Cabo Delgado and for the modernization of the fishing port in Maputo. In 2000, approx. 40 thousand tons of seafood. Warp energy system countries - the Cabora Bassa hydroelectric station with a capacity of 2075 MW, which provides energy not only to Mozambique, but also to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Currently, 1,400 km of high-voltage lines destroyed during the civil war have been restored. Projects for the construction of power transmission lines have been developed and started to be implemented in Zimbabwe (350 km), Malawi and Swaziland. Less powerful hydroelectric power plants were built in Chicamba Real and Mauzi on the river. Revue, in Koruman, on the tributaries of the Limpopo. Together with South Africa and Swaziland, Mozambique is participating in the construction of three hydroelectric power stations on the river. Kumati, electricity and water for irrigation will be used for development of border areas three countries. A plan has been developed for the construction of another hydroelectric power station on the river by 2007. Zambezi, equal or even superior in power (2000-2500 MW) to the hydroelectric power station in Cabora Bassa. The estimated cost of the hydroelectric power station itself is 1.5 billion US dollars, and another 0.5 billion will be required for the construction of power transmission lines in South Africa. Electricity production in 2000 7017 billion kWh. The railways were built not for the needs of Mozambique, but to transport goods between its ports and the cities of South Africa, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), and Malawi. All 7 railways cross the country from west to east and are not interconnected. The length of the railways is 3131 km. Many sections of roads have not yet been restored after the war. The volume of transportation is 142 million passenger-km and 774 million ton-km of cargo (2001). The length of roads is 30.4 thousand km, of which 5.7 thousand km are paved (1998). Roads also run from west to east and have not been restored everywhere. The government considers the most important transport problem to be the construction of a highway connecting the north and south of the country, which is necessary to create a single internal market and develop the economically backward northern provinces. There are two oil pipelines from Beira to Zimbabwe, one for crude oil (306 km) and the other for petroleum products (289 km). Around 2000 passed through the main ports of Maputo, Beira, Nacala and Quelimane. 10 million tons of cargo (estimate). The ports are being modernized. A plan has been developed for the construction of a new deep-water port at Ponta Dobela, 70 km south of Maputo. Project cost: USD 515 million, annual throughput port 30 million tons of cargo. 60% of the shares will be owned by a foreign consortium, and 40% by the Mozambican government. In 2000, the government handed over the management of the ports of Nacala and Maputo to foreign companies. In 2003, the port of Beira was planned to be privatized. Merchant fleet of Mozambique - 131 vessels with a total displacement of 38 thousand tons (2001). Port cargo turnover is 7.3 million tons (2001). There are 22 airports, of which three are international. In 2000, 180 thousand passengers and 35 million ton-kilometers of cargo were transported (estimate). In 2001 there were 89.4 thousand landline telephones and 170 thousand mobile phones. There were 41 radio stations and 1 television station. Number of televisions - 67,600 (2000). 15 thousand people used the Internet. (2001). As a result of privatization, all retail and almost all wholesale moved to the private sector. Tourism began to revive after 1992 and is developing rapidly. More than 600 thousand tourists visit the country every year, mainly from South Africa. The importance attached to the development of tourism is evidenced by the creation of the Ministry of Tourism in 1999. With funds provided by the EU, it developed a Master Plan for Tourism Development in Mozambique, which includes 138 tourism projects worth US$900 million. The government's economic policy is aimed at restoring war-damaged infrastructure, commercial agriculture and the creation of new industries. To do this, it is carrying out structural reforms of the economy, which have already borne fruit. These are high rates of GDP growth, a decrease in inflation from a triple figure to 4.8% in 1999 (due to the flood in 2000 it increased to 12%), gradual improvement trade balance, solid course of metical, etc. The government actually agreed to IMF control over economic policy. The IMF's stringent demands included cutting government spending, increasing taxes, privatizing unprofitable enterprises, curbing wage growth tied to increases in labor productivity, and limiting government lending to the manufacturing sector. When, for example, it turned out that business lending exceeded the limit set by the IMF, it delayed the transfer of foreign exchange tranches to Mozambique until the situation was corrected. Financial recovery and economic recovery would not have been possible without external assistance, and the assistance Mozambique received in the 1990s is one of the most significant in history. Tropical Africa. Four main donors - World Bank, the USA, Great Britain and Germany provided from 700 million to 1.5 billion US dollars a year in the form of loans and grants in 1994-2001, while Mozambique’s debts are regularly written off. In June 1999, the IMF wrote off $3.7 billion (2/3 of Mozambique’s external debt), and in April 2000 another 600 million. In connection with the flood, the Paris Club deferred all debt payments to Mozambique for a year, and in December 2001 wrote off 1 $.65 billion (60% debt). Social policy aimed at supporting workers, manifests itself in cities (wage indexation, free medical care) and to a lesser extent in rural areas, where subsistence farmers do not receive any assistance from the state, although it should be noted that jobs are being created on the revived plantations. The financial system is monitored by the state-owned Bank of Mozambique. It issues money, issues licenses to private banks and determines general financial policy (metical exchange rate, discount rate). Commercial operations are carried out by 12 banks (8 state-owned and 4 foreign). The budget is chronically deficit and is largely covered by external loans. In 2001, revenues were 393.1 million US dollars, expenses were 1025 million, including the capital investment budget (479.4 million). Taxes and duties provide more than 90% of revenues. In 2001 external debt was estimated at $1 billion. Foreign exchange reserves amounted to $715.6 million. The standard of living of the population is very low. 70% of the population (2001) lives below the poverty line, and hundreds of thousands flee to neighboring South Africa, where they become illegal immigrants. The increase in the cost of living index in Maputo before the 2000 flood was very moderate (in 1997-99 it increased by 3%), but in the subsequent two years it probably increased by at least 10% per year. Bank deposits increased by 20% per year in 1997-99, but in 2000-01 they remained at best (adjusted for inflation) at the same level. In foreign trade, Mozambique has a significant deficit. In 2001, exports amounted to $746 million, and imports - 1254 million. The main import items are machinery and equipment, industrial goods, food, and textiles. The main export items are shrimp, cashew nuts, sugar cane, and electricity. The main trading partners are the EU, South Africa, India, Zimbabwe. The balance of payments is chronically in deficit ($418.7 million in 2001), despite significant transfers and capital investments from abroad.

Science and culture of Mozambique

97% of children attend primary schools. Center for Scientific Life - University. E. Mondlane in Maputo, where more than 7 thousand students study. Other scientific centers: Institute of Scientific Research, which has an astronomical and meteorological observatory, Institute of Cotton, Institute of Health, Geology and Mining Service, Center for Information and Documentation. There are good libraries in Maputo, Nampula and other cities. In Maputo there are museums of ethnography and natural history, geological, historical, revolution, national art, in Beira - ethnography, in Nampula - an art gallery. Folk art is very multifaceted and diverse - music, dance, folklore, crafts. The wood carvings of the Makonde people are especially prized.

Useful information for tourists about Mozambique, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Mozambique, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions of Mozambique.

Geography of Mozambique

The Republic of Mozambique is a state in southeast Africa, a former Portuguese colony. Mozambique is washed by the Indian Ocean in the east, bordered by Tanzania in the north, Malawi and Zambia in the northeast, Zimbabwe in the west and Swaziland and South Africa in the south. Member State of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Commonwealth of Portuguese-speaking Countries.

45% of the territory is occupied by the coastal lowland. Low mountains (10% of the territory) are located in the northwest. The highest point is Binga (2437 m).

State

State structure

Mozambique is a republic. The head of state is the president. Parliament is a unicameral Assembly of the republic.

Language

Official language: Portuguese

In addition to Portuguese, English is also used (especially in the capital). The most widely spoken local languages ​​are Imakua, Chinyanja, Chishona and Shangaan.

Religion

Up to 60% of the population adheres to local traditional beliefs, the rest are Christian Catholics (30%) and Muslims (10%).

Currency

International name: MZM

One metical is equal to 100 centavos. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 meticals, coins in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos, 1, 2, 5 and 10 meticals.

US dollars and South African rands are readily accepted at any retail outlet. In the south it is possible to pay for a large number of things and services with rands.

Best place for currency exchange - private exchange offices in Maputo that offer best conditions than banks. Exchanging money on the street is unsafe for a reason high level crime, mainly fraud.

The use of credit cards and travel checks is almost impossible throughout the country.

Mozambique- a state in southeast Africa. In the north it borders with Tanzania, in the south and southwest - with South Africa and Swaziland, in the west - with Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. In the east it is washed by the Mozambique Channel.

The name of the country comes from the name of Sultan Musa Ben Mbik.

Capital

Square

Population

19400 thousand people

Administrative division

The state is divided into 11 provinces.

Form of government

Republic.

Head of State

President, elected for a term of 5 years.

Supreme legislative body

Assembly of the Republic.

Supreme executive body

Government.

Major cities

Beira, Nampula.

State language

Portuguese.

Religion

60% are pagans, 30% are Christians, 10% are Muslims.

Ethnic composition

47% are Makua Lomwe, 23% are Tsonga.

Currency

Climate

The climate in Mozambique is tropical. During the summer months average monthly temperature is about + 27 °C, and in winter - + 20 °C. The rainy season lasts from April to October, precipitation falls 1300-1500 mm per year in the north, 500-1000 mm in the south.

Flora

Forests cover about 20% of the state's territory. In the south there are tropical forests with valuable tree species (ebony, ironwood, rosewood, etc.). In the river valleys, moist gallery forests intertwined with vines have been preserved, and along the coast there are mangrove forests.

Fauna

The fauna of Mozambique is rich - elephant, antelope, zebra, rhinoceros, lion, leopard, jackal, hyena, bull, crocodile, monkeys stand out, among insects - termites, mosquitoes. A large number of snakes and birds.

Rivers and lakes

The largest rivers are the Zambezi, Limpopo, Savi, Ruvuma. Lake Nyasa is partially located on the territory of the state.
Attractions. In Maputo - Museum of Natural History, in Tete - catholic cathedral 1563 The country's national parks are widely known.

Useful information for tourists

The thriving trade in gold and ivory raised the civilization of Mozambique to one of the highest levels in Africa, and to this day the depths of the country conceal many mysteries and secrets of past eras. Tourists are attracted to the country mainly by its beautiful sandy beaches. Beautiful shores Tofu, Moma, Langoshe, Lurio and Cape Barra are legendary holiday destinations.

In the north there is the Nyasa plateau (average heights 500–1000 m, but individual peaks rise up to 2000 m), plunging towards the lake of the same name; in the west and north-west of the country there are the crystalline plateaus of Mozambique, Angoni, Motabeli with the highest point - Mount Binga (2436 m). In the southwest, near the border with South Africa, rise the volcanic Lebombo Mountains. The large Zambezi and Limpopo rivers and many smaller rivers (Lurio, Savi, Ligonya, etc.) flow through the territory of Mozambique, replete with rapids and waterfalls within the mountainous part. The northwestern part of the country is the coast of the giant border Lake Nyasa; Lake Chilwa is also located on the border with Malawi.

The climate of the north of the country is close to equatorial: temperatures all year round high (25–28 °C), precipitation falls 1300–1500 mm per year. To the south the climate changes to tropical trade wind: average annual temperatures drop to 20–22 °C, precipitation is also less - 500–1000 mm per year. Wet season lasts from November to April–May. On the plateaus of the north, open forests are common - light tropical forests of miombo, in high areas there are mountain forests in which Mlange cedar and podocarpus are found. South of the Zambezi River, tall grass savannas with isolated groups of acacias and baobabs predominate; in southern Mozambique there is vegetation called "mopaniveld": broadleaf trees mopani, acacias, and other low-growing trees form a forest savanna that sheds its leaves in the dry season. In the river valleys, moist gallery forests intertwined with vines have been preserved, and along the coast there are mangrove forests. Large mammals- elephants, hippopotamuses, Kaffir buffaloes and other ungulates, lions, white rhinoceroses are preserved mainly in national parks, the largest of them are Gorongosa, Marrumeu, Maputo.

Population

Almost the entire population of Mozambique (more than 28.8 million people) are peoples who speak Bantu languages: Makua, Tsonga, Malawi, Makonde and others. The majority of residents (80%) adhere to local animist cults, the rest are Catholic Christians and Muslims. In Mozambique, there are four economic and cultural types. Along the coast, the influence of Swahili culture remains, influenced by Islam. The population here is engaged in tropical agriculture combined with fishing and crafts - silver chasing, weaving, and shell products. The Makua, Yao and Malawi peoples, who were influenced by Islam, preserved ancient African traditions and are engaged in slash-and-burn agriculture and cattle breeding (crafts are poorly developed). The Makonde have developed a very unique way of life: agriculture is combined with hunting and beekeeping, wood carving is developed (small sculptures are famous). The dances performed in ritual masks are original. The remaining peoples were too strongly influenced by different waves of colonization and almost lost their original culture. The capital of the country, Maputo, grew up on the site of a Portuguese fort founded in 1781, but almost no ancient buildings have survived. Other major cities- Beira, Nampula, Tete, Lishinga, Inhambane.

Story

When Portuguese sailors reached Mozambique in 1498, Arab trading settlements already existed on the coast. In the 16th century, Portuguese settlements appeared on the territory of Mozambique, which became bases on trade routes in South Asia. Later, white people began to penetrate into the interior of the country in search of gold and slaves. Although Portuguese influence in the region expanded, power rested with individual settlers who had considerable autonomy. Portugal paid more attention to more profitable trade with India and Southeast Asia, as well as the colonization of Brazil.

By the beginning of the 20th century, Portugal had ceded control large territories his colony to three private British companies: Mozambique Company, Zambezi Company and Nyasa Company. These companies built railways, which connected Mozambique with the neighboring colonies of Great Britain, and provided the supply of cheap labor to the plantations and mines of the countries in the region.

After World War II, Portugal did not follow the example of other European countries and did not grant independence to its colonies. They were declared “overseas territories”, and migration from the metropolis continued there. In the context of the decolonization of most countries of the continent and the growing influence of national liberation movements in the international arena, processes of political consolidation of opponents of the regime began in the Portuguese possessions. In 1962, several anti-colonial political groups united to form the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), which in September 1964 initiated an armed conflict against the Portuguese colonial authorities. From the very beginning, the front maintained close contacts with the rebel groups of Angola (MPLA) and Guinea-Bissau (PAIGC).

FRELIMO, relying on bases in Tanzania and the support of the USSR and China, led active fighting V northern regions country and was able to hold party congresses on the territory under its control, however, in general, military experts assess the outcome of the confrontation by the mid-70s as a draw.

Following an armed coup in Portugal known as the Carnation Revolution, Mozambique gained independence on June 25, 1975. Under these conditions, FRELIMO established a one-party system with a focus on socialist countries, dissolved religious schools, dismantled the traditional system of government based on chiefs, introduced a planned economy, which process was accompanied by major nationalization, poorly conceived agrarian reform and the expulsion of all Portuguese settlers, which deprived new country almost the entire corps of qualified specialists. With the support of Southern Rhodesia and South Africa, an armed opposition to the regime formed in the country, a civil war began, which was accompanied by significant casualties among civilians, extensive damage to infrastructure, and migration a large number refugees. Hostilities ended only in 1992, after a change in the political picture of the region.

After the signing of the peace treaty and the transition of the opposition to the political space in Mozambique, there is a struggle between the former antagonists of the civil war, and now the giants of the political scene - FRELIMO and RENAMO, relying largely on the largest ethnic groups countries; RENAMO draws support from the north, their opponents from the south. FRELIMO consistently wins parliamentary and presidential elections.

Despite the economic achievements noted by the international community, Mozambique continues to remain one of the poorest countries in the world.

Economy

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world. Nevertheless, it is classified as a country with a dynamically developing economy.

Agriculture is the backbone of Mozambique's economy. Its share in GDP reaches 22%. 36 million hectares of land are suitable for cultivation, but only 5.4 million hectares are cultivated. 120 thousand hectares are irrigated. The share of agricultural products in exports is 25%. Livestock farming is concentrated in the south of the country. Rice, peanuts, sugarcane, oranges, cola, papaya, etc. are grown.

The civil war in the country caused swipe by industry. Many roads were destroyed, mines and mines were flooded. Since 1993, an economic program based on liberalization and privatization has been implemented.

There are deposits of iron ore, coal, natural gas and bauxite. The capital of neighboring South Africa plays a big role. European countries and Australia are involved in the development of mineral deposits.

The manufacturing industry is mainly represented by enterprises for processing agricultural raw materials (for example, cashew nuts) and soap factories. The sugar industry, destroyed, is being restored civil war. An aluminum smelter, breweries, and paper, cement and glass production plants were opened. In 2000, the Fiat car assembly plant began operating. The textile industry is developing.