Mozambique Facts

Official Name:

The Republic of Mozambique. The previous capital city was an island known as Moçambique, which got its name from an Arab trader by the name of Musa Al Big, who lived on the island. This name was subsequently taken to the mainland country which is modern day Mozambique!

President:

Armando Guebuza (2005) – As an interior minister under the leadership of Samora Machel, he was responsible for an order for certain Portugeuse people to leave Mozambique. It was known as the 24-20 order, as they had 24 hours to leave and could take only 20kg each. Don’t get in his bad books!

Prime Minister:

Luisa Diogo (2004)

Government:

Republic since 1990. Gained Independence from Portugal in 1975

Capital:

Maputo (since 1898). Previously known as Lourenço Marques before independence.

Geography:

Tanzania to the north, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to the west, South Africa and Swaziland to the South, and the Indian Ocean to the East

Provinces:

Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete and Zambezia

Area:

801.590 Km² (that’s more than twice the size of Germany!)

Population:

21.8 million (that’s only 25% of Germany’s population!)

Languages:

Portuguese (Official), Makua-Lomwe, Tsonga, Shona, Swahili

Religion:

Christians, Muslims, Animists, Hindu

Ethnicity/race:

Makua/Lombe, Makonde, Sena, and others such as Europeans, Euro-Africans and Indians

Climate:

Tropical to subtropical. Temperatures vary between 24 C and 27 C along the cost with blue sky and plenty of sunshine, except during the wet season from December/January through to April when there could be some heavy rains. The best time to visit Mozambique is from May/June to November, during the cooler dry season.

Water Temperature:

Varies from 21 C to 28 C. It’s cool from June to September, as its winter (being July the coldest month) and warm from November to May as its summer (being January the hottest month)

Natural Resources:

Coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite. More recently, they have discovered a huge natural gas deposit in the north of Mozambique.

Main Exports:

Seafood, cotton, cashew, sugar, citrus, timber

Local Time:

GMT + 2

Dialling Code:

+258