Maputo

CAPITAL CITY OF Mozambique: Maputo
LANGUAGE OF Mozambique: Portuguese
CURRENCY OF Mozambique: Metical (MZM)
COMMENTS ABOUT Mozambique:
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique, is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east
Cities : Maputo (capital), Beira, Inhambane, Nampula
Best Places : Bazaruto Archipelago, Cahora Bassa dam, Ilha de Mozambique, Pemba, Ponta d'Ouro, Tofo Beach, Vilanculos
Visas / Passport : Most nationalities need a visa, and while there are rumours that some borders and airports may issue them on arrival, don't count on it and obtain a visa before arrival. They usually cost around $25. Multiple entry visas are also available.
Electricity : 220V/50Hz (European plug)
Calling Code : 258
Time Zone : UTC +2
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 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 steped down after 18 years in office. His newly elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, has promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment.
CLIMATE OF Mozambique: tropical to subtropical
RELIGION OF Mozambique: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
POPULATION OF Mozambique: 18,811,731 - estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2004 est.)>>>
ECONOMY OVERVIEW OF Mozambique: 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 although it returned to double digits in 2000-03. 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 workforce. 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. Additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing should 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.