Capital: Maputo
Currency: Metical (MZM)
Borders: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105
km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km
Mozambique is a South African country that enjoys a 2470km long
coastline alongside the Indian Ocean. It is a large country,
measuring 800,000 sq km. Bordering nations include Malawi, South
Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The country is
made up of a fairly large coastal plain, rising to form a plateau
named the Chimanimani Mountain Range. This range reaches west toward
the borders of Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania. The highest point in
Mozambique is Monte Binga, which stands at a height of 2,436m. Two
of South Africa's largest rivers flow through Mozambique. These are
the Zambezi and the Limpopo. The mighty Zambezi flows through the
north-central region, which is the fertile region of Mozambique. The
other waterways are the Save and Rvuma rivers. Offshore archipelagos
such as the Bazaruto have been turned into marine parks in order to
preserve the country's marine life. Mozambique's natural hazards
range from severe droughts and cyclones to floods. These generally
occur only in the central and far south of the country.
The people of Mozambique are extremely resilient and
resourceful owing to years of civil war and hardship. Travellers
have reported that Mozambicans are amongst the most friendly and
hospitable in the south of Africa, often offering the opportunity to
lodge in a home stay for a mere token gesture. Mozambique is one of
the poorest countries in the world although it is developing all the
time. In the past, much of Mozambique's debt has been written off,
giving the country a chance to become economically successful. The
literacy rate is particularly low at 40%. Languages spoken within
Mozambique include Portuguese and a variety of indigenous dialects.
The official unit of currency is the metical. The capital city is
Maputo, which is situated on the coast in the far south of the
country. Maputo possesses, amongst other things, a fine port and
harbour.
The economy of Mozambique is largely centred around agriculture with
around 80% of the country's workforce striving hard to produce
cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus
and tropical fruits, potatoes and sunflowers. Industry accounts for
just 6% of the workforce sector. The industries of Mozambique are
food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum
products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos and tobacco.
The weather in the far south of Mozambique is tropical with a rainy
season lasting from December to March. The coastal plain is
generally hot year round and receives the least amount of rain. The
central highlands experience a temperate climate with cooler
year-round temperatures. |
