Brief History Of Mozambique

Located on the south eastern coast of Africa, one will find one of the most diverse countries on the African continent.

Mozambique, gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, has Maputo as the capital and covers 799 380 sq kilometer (308 642 sq miles) and has an amazingly beautiful 2470 km coastline.

This fascinating country is bordered on the north by Tanzania, on the east by the Mozambique Channel of the Indian Ocean, on the south and south-west by South Africa and Swaziland, and on the west by Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi

Mozambique has a tropical climate, with a dry season that lasts from April to October. July (winter) temperatures average 21°C (70°F) in Pemba in the north and 18°C (65°F) in Maputo in the south. January (summer) temperatures average about 26°C (80°F) along the coast and are lower in upland areas. Average annual rainfall decreases from 1,422 mm (56 in) in the north to 762 mm (30 in) in the south. There is a constant threat of prolonged drought alternating with devastating floods.

Sad to say, this was once a war torn country and Mozambique has substantial and very valuable mineral resources, but the civil war has prevented much exploration and development. Resources include large deposits of coal, iron, salt, tantalite, and beryl. Also found are diamonds, asbestos, mineral sands, and bauxite, and there are small deposits of copper, gold, manganese, titanium and offshore natural gas. A US$ 700 million project to expand natural gas fields at Pande was begun in 1995.

Less than 20% of Mozambique’s land is wooded. Dense tropical rainforest is found in the river valleys, while a more open woodland- grassland cover predominates in the drier regions and uplands. Wildlife such as zebra, buffalo, rhinoceros, giraffe, lion and elephant are native to Mozambique, but the long civil war has reduced their numbers considerably. Even under these circumstances there are a total of 9 National Parks, where game is in abundance, with fantastic game viewing opportunities.

During the long civil conflict, Mozambique's environment was neglected though since the signing of a peace treaty in 1992 Mozambique has started repairing the environmental damage that resulted from its wars. Several national parks were created in Mozambique during the Portuguese colonial era, but by the end of the civil war, the country had the lowest percentage of protected land in any African country, with just 21 sq km (8 sq mi) of protected area. Since the end of Mozambique's civil conflict, several large national parks and reserves have been established in areas that were formerly battlefields. In 1995 21% of the country was covered by forest and during a survey done during 1996 it was ascertained that 41 threatened species inhabit the country. In 2002 South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique opened a new Trans- frontier park – the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Animals will be able to wander freely across the 35 000 sq km (22 000 sq miles) of the reserve.

The country has ten major ethnic groups including the Makua- Lomwe, Tsonga, Yao, Shona, and Nguni, most of whom speak a African language. The dominant ethnic group in the north is the Makua- Lomwe, which makes up about 47% of the national population. The Tsonga, 23%, are predominant in the south.

Traditional beliefs are followed by about 50% of the population, about 30% are Roman Catholics and approximately 20%, mainly in the north, are Muslims.

Portuguese, spoken by at least 30,000 as a mother tongue, was retained as the official language after independence. 38 Different African languages are also spoken, the most widespread being Makhuwa.



		A Brief History Of Mozambique
		Located on the south eastern coast of Africa, one will find one of the most diverse countries on the African continent. Mozambique, gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, has Maputo as the capital and covers 799 380 sq kilometer (308 642 sq miles) and has an amazingly beautiful 2470 km coastline. This fascinating country is bordered on the north by Tanzania, on the east by the Mozambique Channel of the Indian Ocean, on the south and south-west by South Africa and Swaziland, and on the west by Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi Mozambique has a tropical climate, with a dry season that lasts from April to October. July (winter) temperatures average 21°C (70°F) in Pemba in the north and 18°C (65°F) in Maputo in the south. January (summer) temperatures average about 26°C (80°F) along the coast and are lower in upland areas. Average annual rainfall decreases from 1,422 mm (56 in) in the north to 762 mm (30 in) in the south. There is a constant threat of prolonged drought alternating with devastating floods. Sad to say, this was once a war torn country and Mozambique has substantial and very valuable mineral resources, but the civil war has prevented much exploration and development. Resources include large deposits of coal, iron, salt, tantalite, and beryl. Also found are diamonds, asbestos, mineral sands, and bauxite, and there are small deposits of copper, gold, manganese, titanium and offshore natural gas. A US$ 700 million project to expand natural gas fields at Pande was begun in 1995. Less than 20% of Mozambique’s land is wooded. Dense tropical rainforest is found in the river valleys, while a more open woodland- grassland cover predominates in the drier regions and uplands. Wildlife such as zebra, buffalo, rhinoceros, giraffe, lion and elephant are native to Mozambique, but the long civil war has reduced their numbers considerably. Even under these circumstances there are a total of 9 National Parks, where game is in abundance, with fantastic game viewing opportunities. During the long civil conflict, Mozambique's environment was neglected though since the signing of a peace treaty in 1992 Mozambique has started repairing the environmental damage that resulted from its wars. Several national parks were created in Mozambique during the Portuguese colonial era, but by the end of the civil war, the country had the lowest percentage of protected land in any African country, with just 21 sq km (8 sq mi) of protected area. Since the end of Mozambique's civil conflict, several large national parks and reserves have been established in areas that were formerly battlefields. In 1995 21% of the country was covered by forest and during a survey done during 1996 it was ascertained that 41 threatened species inhabit the country. In 2002 South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique opened a new Trans- frontier park – the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Animals will be able to wander freely across the 35 000 sq km (22 000 sq miles) of the reserve. The country has ten major ethnic groups including the Makua- Lomwe, Tsonga, Yao, Shona, and Nguni, most of whom speak a African language. The dominant ethnic group in the north is the Makua- Lomwe, which makes up about 47% of the national population. The Tsonga, 23%, are predominant in the south. Traditional beliefs are followed by about 50% of the population, about 30% are Roman Catholics and approximately 20%, mainly in the north, are Muslims. Portuguese, spoken by at least 30,000 as a mother tongue, was retained as the official language after independence. 38 Different African languages are also spoken, the most widespread being Makhuwa. Top Of Page