 Geography
Mozambique lies on the south-eastern shores of Africa. It has a population of 16 million people. The capital, Maputo, is located in the far south of the country.
The Portuguese colonized Mozambique in the 17th century. In 1975, Mozambique gained its independence. A civil war began almost immediately and lasted for nearly 20 years. During the civil war, more than 900,000 people were killed and Mozambique became the world's poorest nation.
In 1993, the UN brokered a peace treaty between the two forces and the civil war ended. Multi-party elections were held in 1994 and again in 1999 with the Frelimo party being elected each time.
Politically, Mozambique has achieved calm and co-operation from all sides of the spectrum. This stability has boosted economic confidence, and many international organisations have returned to Mozambique.
However, nature has not been been part of this co-operative effort. Devasting floods in 1999 and in 2000 were a severe setback to Mozambique's prospering development. The drought that is looming over all of southern Africa in 2002 will not improve anything.
(mostly taken from CIA World Fact Book 2001)
| Capital: |
Maputo |
| Population: |
16,099,246 (July 2001 est.) |
| Exchange Rate: |
24,000 meticais = US$1 (2000) |
| Religions: |
Animist 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20% |
| GNP: |
US$1000 per capita |
| Literacy: |
42% |
| Infant Mortality: |
139.2 deaths/1000 live births (2001 est.) |
| Life Expectancy: |
36.45 years |
| HIV/AIDS: |
13% of adult population (1999 est) |
| Pop. below poverty line: |
70% (2000 est.) |
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