Mozambique

Name

Mozambique.

Continent

Africa.

Government

Presidential republic.

Capital

Maputo.

Bordering Countries

Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini.

Area

800,000 sq. km.

Coastline

2,500 km long coastline, Indian Ocean.

Ports

The port of Maputo (southwestern Mozambique); the port of Beira (central Mozambique); and the port of Nacala (northern Mozambique).

Currency

Metical (MZN).

Official Language

Makhuwa 26.1%, Portuguese (official) 16.6%.

Ethnicity

African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Euro-African 0.2%, Indian 0.08%, European 0.06%.

Religion

55.8% Christianity, 26.1% traditional faiths, 17.5% Islam.

Historical Facts

The Bantu people settled in Mozambique about 2,000 years ago.

Vasco da Gama landed there in 1498.

The Portuguese set up their first trading post at Sofala in 1505.

Mozambique was governed from Goa until 1752.

Independence Day, 25 June (1975)

The new Constitution adopted in 2004.

Economic Activity

Mozambique’s main economic activity is agriculture, employing about 70% of the total active population.

Exports: coal, aluminum, gold, natural gas, electricity, titanium, coke (2021).

Climate

Tropical and subtropical in the north and central parts of Mozambique to dry semi-arid steppe and dry arid desert in the south.

Natural Hazards

Cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces.

Vegetation

Forest: 43.7% (2018 est.).

National Parks

A transnational park combines Kruger National Park in South Africa, Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, and Limpopo National Park in Mozambique to form the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.

Drainage/Water bodies

The Zambezi is the largest of the country's 25 rivers emptying into the Indian Ocean.

The Zambezi feeds the Cahora Bassa hydro power plant.

Fresh water lake(s): Lake Malawi (shared with Malawi and Tanzania) - 22,490.

Watersheds: Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km).

Mountains/Plateaus

The highest points in Mozambique are Mt. Binga (2436 m).

Mt. Namuli (2419 m), Mt. Domue (2095 m).

Chimoio Plateau

Mineral Resources

Gold, emeralds, copper, iron ore and bauxite and is currently engaged in oil exploration.

Socio-Economic Issues

Illicit drugs, Terrorism, Cabo Delgado conflict.

Other facts and Recent development.

Island of Mozambique is the only World Heritage Site, a calcareous coral reef Island.

Mozambique had entered into an MoU with India to supply 2 lakh tons of Tur/Pigeon peas till 2025-26.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.  Consider the following countries

1.       Tanzania

2.       Malawi

3.       Zimbabwe

4.       Botswana

How many of the above country/ies is/are share border with Mozambique?

A.      Only one

B.      Only two

C.      Only three

D.      All four

Answer C