The Republic of Mozambique is located in Southern Africa

It has a total area of: 801,600 sq. km (land: 784,090 sq. km water - principally lake Nyasa: 17,500 sq. km)

It has a lengthy coastline of: 2,470 km facing the Indian Ocean.

Its bordering neighbors are:in the North Tanzania over 756 km; in the North- West: Malawi over 1,569 km and Zambia over 419 km; in the South: South Africa over 491 km and Swaziland over 105 km; in the West: Zimbabwe over 1,231 km.

Population:19,124,335 (July 1999); 17,479,266 (July 2003 est.); with a population growth rate of 2.54% (1999); 0.82% (2003 est.)

Independence from Portugal: June 25, 1975
National holiday: June 25

Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas

Agriculture production: cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, rice, tropical fruits; beef, poultry.

Industry production: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco.

Over two decades, from the independence in 1975 till the peace accord of 1992, Mozambique suffered a ferocious and devastating civil war, which left the hinterland territory infested with land mines.The economy was completely disrupted.

Since the 1992 peace accord, democratic ballots have been organized twice - the last one staged December 2-5, 1999 - has seen the victory of the ruling government party: the Frelimo that won 133 of the 250 parliamentary seats, with the remaining 117 seats going to Renamo.

The new government resulting from the first democratic elections following the peace accord undertook a series of important economic reforms requested by international financial organizations - the IMF and the World Bank. Following the reforms, more than 900 state enterprises have been privatized. A value-added tax, introduced in 1999, launched the government's comprehensive tax reform program. The economy since then performed remarkably scoring double digit growth rates (11-12%) for three years running (1996-2000) till the heavy rains of January-February 2000 and 2001 that flooded one third of the country and blocked the growth process. Indeed, Growth slowed down to 3.8 % and inflation rose in 2000. Inflation is still high (14% in 2003 and 11% forecast for 2004) and eats economic growth points that remain below 10% per year (7.7% in 2002).

However as a silver lining to the bad economic situation created by recurent bad weather and storms, Mozambique received a formal cancellation of a large portion of its external debt through a programme staged by the IMF initiative and is scheduled to receive additional relief.

The IMF stated that Mozambique is one of the best examples in the developing world of right policies in reforming an economy and on May 20, 2004 had virtually agreed to a fresh, three-year aid package with Mozambique. The IMF assistance package of 10 million special drawing rights, worth $13 million, would be presented to the IMF board in June 2004. The IMF's programme to Mozambique is limited in monetary terms but the fund's approval of the country's economic reforms will improve sharply the rating of the country and trigger the release of hundreds of millions of dollars by bilateral and multilateral donors - that directly provide a sizable amount Mozambique's national budget. Click here for more on Mozambique's current events

MORE ON MOZAMBIQUE 1- The Politics of Peace In Mozambique Post Conflict Democratization (1992-2000) by Carrie L. Manning 2- Mozambique Investment and Business Guide Digital Delivery in PDF 3- Mozambique Tortuous Road To Democracy by Joao Cabrita 4- More News On Mozambique by Allafrica

FOR CURRENCY EQUIVALENCE CLICK HERE


TOP

GNP: US$ 3.655 (2000); US$ 3.800 (2001); US$ 4.020 (2002); US$ 4.329 (2003)
GNP -real growth rate: 3.8% (2000); 5.8 % (2001); 7.7% (2002)
GNP-per capita: US$ 191 (2000); US$ 247 (2003)

Click here for the difference between GNP and Parity Purchasing Power

GNP-composition by sector

1. agriculture: 44%
   

2. industry: 19%
   
3. services: 37%

Exports: US$ 390 million (f.o.b., 2000); 680 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Commodities: shrimp 40%, cashews, cotton, sugar, copra, citrus
Exports - partners: Belgium 24.3%, South Africa 9.1%, Germany 6.2% (2002)

Imports: US$ 1.4 billion (c.i.f., 2000)
Commodities: food, clothing, farm equipment, petroleum
Imports - partners: South Africa 27.5%, France 8.9%, US 7%, Australia 6.9%, Japan 6%, Malaysia 4% (2002)

FOR CURRENCY EQUIVALENCE CLICK HERE

TOP

A valid passport for six months beyond sojourn period - and a visa are required for most nationalities as well as travel documents / tickets indicating return or onward travel. All currency - when entering the country - must be declared. An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required if arriving from an infected area within six days of travel. Below listed are some addresses for information:

Air-Portugal and Air-France have the best air connections to Mozambique. Flights to Johannesburg, South Africa, are regular and very affordable. Maputo, the capital-city is also well connected with Lilongwe in Malawi

For more information on travel and tourism in Mozambique, contact the Mozambique National Tourism Company below listed: