Mozambique Facts

Background:

A new constitution in 1990 provided for multi-party elections and paved the way for a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement ended the long running civil war in 1992. In December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim Chissano stepped 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.

• Natural Resources: coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite
• Area: 801,590 sq km
• Population: 19,686,505
• Capital: Maputo
• Major languages: Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spoken by 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreign languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3%
• Major religions: Catholic 23.8%, Muslim 17.8%, Zionist Christian 17.5%, other 17.8%, none 23.1%
• Climate: tropical to subtropical
• Currency: metical (MZM)
• Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminium, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco
• Exports: Netherlands 59.7%, South Africa 16.2%, Zimbabwe 2.9%
• Imports: South Africa 42.9%, Netherlands 11.5%, Portugal 3.6%
• Airports: 158 (2006) 22 with paved runways