Mozambique - Country Profile - República de Moçambique, Africa (original) (raw)

Background:
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.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

related countries: Portugal

Official Name:
República de Moçambique
short form: Moçambique
int'l long form: Republic of Mozambique
int'l short form: Mozambique

ISO Country Code: mz

Time:
Local Time = UTC+2h
Actual Time: Fri-Nov-15 11:24

Country Calling Code: +258

Capital City: Maputo (pop. 1.2 million)

Other Cities: Beira, Matola, Nampula, Quelimane, Tete, Nacala.

Government:
Type: Multi-party democracy.
Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal).
Constitution: 30 November 1990.

Geography:
Location: South-eastern coast of Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean in west.
Area: 801,590 km² (309,495 sq. mi.)
Terrain: Varies from coastal lowlands to high plateau in northwest, mountains in west.

Climate: Varies from sub-tropical to tropical (south to north).

People:
Nationality: Mozambican(s).
Population: 33,2 million (in 2024)
Real GDP per capita: $1,500 (2023 est.)
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: Christianity (56%), traditional faiths (26%) and Islam (19%).
Languages: Portuguese (official), various indigenous languages.
Literacy: 64%

Transparency: Rank 149 (out of 180 countries); Score 25, on a scale from 100 (very clean) to 0 (highly corrupt). Mozambique is ranked in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2020 between Madagascar and Nigeria.

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.

Industries: Food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco.

Exports - commodities: aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity

Exports - partners: India 22%, South Africa 9%, South Korea 8%, Italy 7%, China 6% (2022)

Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners: South Africa 23%, South Korea 20%, China 12%, India 10%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 5% (2022)

Currency: Metical (MZM)

Source: Mozambique Investment Promotion Center and others.