General Information on Mozambique

Location

The Republic of Mozambique lies on the southeast African coast and has borders with six countries - Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa.

Area

Covers an area of 799,380 sq. km.

Administrative Divisions

11 provinces (Cabo Delgado, Niassa and Nampula in the north,
Zambezia, Tete, Sofala and Manica in the center, Gaza, Inhambane and Maputo in the south),
28 districts, 387 administrative posts, and nearly 100 towns, 23 of which are classified as cities.

Climate

Tropical and subtropical. Temperatures are high in the months from November to April (22-31c),
but moderate from May to October (13-24c).

Population

Estimated at 17,400,000.

Religion

Christian denominations (Catholics, Methodists, Anglicans), and Moslems

Capital City

Maputo: population estimated at 1,322,562.

Major Towns

Maputo, Beira, Nampula, Nacala and Quelimane.

Official Language

Portuguese (English is widely spoken in business and academic circles.)

National Languages

Bantu-origin languages such as Makua, Mwani, Coti, Ndau, Sena, Shona, Tswa, Chope, Bitonga, Changane, Xitswa, Chpe, Ronga, Elomwe, Chuabo, Nyabdja, Kimwani, Chimakonde.

Independence Day

June 25, 1975 - Independence from Portuguese colonial rule.

Politics and Government

Multi-party democracy in which the role of law is enshrined in the 1990 Constitution. The President of the Republic is directly elected for a five-year term.