Mozambique 19301 225584912 2008-07-14T12:43:28Z Filceolaire 46097 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/82.114.80.218|82.114.80.218]] ([[User talk:82.114.80.218|talk]]) to last version by ClueBot {{otheruses}} {{Infobox Country |native_name = ''República de Moçambique'' |conventional_long_name = Republic of Mozambique |common_name = Mozambique |image_flag = Flag of Mozambique.svg |image_coat = Coat_of_arms_of_Mozambique.png |national_motto = ''none'' |image_map = LocationMozambique.svg |national_anthem = ''[[Pátria Amada]]''<br/><small>(formerly ''[[Viva, Viva a FRELIMO]]'')</small> |official_languages = [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] |demonym = Mozambican |capital = [[Maputo]] |latd=25 |latm=57 |latNS=S |longd=32 |longm=35 |longEW=E |largest_city = capital |government_type = [[Republic]] |leader_title1 = [[List of Presidents of Mozambique|President]] |leader_name1 = [[Armando Guebuza]] |leader_title2 = [[List of Prime Ministers of Mozambique|Prime Minister]] |leader_name2 = [[Luisa Diogo|Luísa Diogo]] |sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |established_event1 = from [[Portugal]] |established_date1 = [[June 25]] [[1975]] |area_km2 = 801,590 |area_sq_mi = 309,496 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |area_rank = 35th |area_magnitude = 1 E11 |percent_water = 2.2 |population_estimate_rank = 54th |population_census = 21,397,000 (52nd) |population_census_year = 2007 |population_density_km2 = 25 |population_density_sq_mi = 65 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |population_density_rank = 178th |GDP_PPP_year = 2005 |GDP_PPP = $27.013 billion <!--IMF--> |GDP_PPP_rank = 100th |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $1,389 |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 158th |HDI_year = 2007 |HDI = {{decrease}} 0.384 |HDI_rank = 172nd |HDI_category = <font style="color:#e0584e">low</font> |Gini = 39.6 |Gini_year = 1996-97 |Gini_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font> |currency = [[Mozambican metical]] (Mtn) |currency_code = MZN |time_zone = [[Central Africa Time|CAT]] |utc_offset = +2 |time_zone_DST = not observed |utc_offset_DST = +2 |cctld = [[.mz]] |calling_code = 258 |footnote1 = Estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. }} '''Mozambique''', officially the '''Republic of Mozambique''' ({{lang-pt|Moçambique}} or ''República de Moçambique'', {{pronounced|ʁɛ'publikɐ dɨ musɐ̃'bikɨ}}), is a country in southeastern [[Africa]] bordered by the [[Indian Ocean]] to the east, [[Tanzania]] to the north, [[Malawi]] and [[Zambia]] to the northwest, [[Zimbabwe]] to the west and [[Swaziland]] and [[South Africa]] to the southwest. It was explored by [[Vasco da Gama]] in 1498 and colonized by [[Portugal]] in 1505. By 1510, the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] had control of all of the former Arab sultanates on the east African coast. From about 1500, [[Portugal|Portuguese]] trading posts and forts became regular ports of call on the new route to the east. It is a member of the [[Community of Portuguese Language Countries]] and the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. Mozambique (Moçambique) was named after ''Muça Alebique'', a sultan. == History == {{main|History of Mozambique}} Between the [[1st century|first]] and [[4th century|fourth centuries AD]], waves of [[Bantu]]-speaking people migrated from the west and north through the [[Zambezi River]] valley and then gradually into the plateau and coastal areas. The Bantu were farmers and ironworkers. [[Image:Mozambique n2.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Island of Mozambique]] is a small coral island at the mouth of Mossuril Bay on the [[Nacala]] coast of northern Mozambique, first explored by [[Europe]]ans in the late 1400s.]] When [[Portugal|Portuguese]] explorers reached Mozambique in 1498, [[Arab]] commercial and slave trading settlements had existed along the coast and outlying islands for several centuries. From about 1500, Portuguese trading posts and forts became regular ports of call on the new route to the east. Later, [[trader]]s and [[Prospecting|prospector]]s penetrated the interior regions seeking gold and [[Slavery|slave]]s. Although Portuguese influence gradually expanded, its power was limited and exercised through individual settlers and officials who were granted extensive autonomy. As a result, investment lagged while [[Lisbon]] devoted itself to the more lucrative trade with [[India]] and the [[Far East]] and to the colonisation of [[Brazil]]. By the early 20th century the Portuguese had shifted the administration of much of Mozambique to large private companies, like the [[Mozambique Company]], the [[Zambezi Company]] and the [[Niassa Company]], controlled and financed mostly by the [[United Kingdom|British]], which established railroad lines to neighbouring countries and supplied cheap &ndash; often forced &ndash; [[Africa]]n labor to the [[mining|mines]] and [[plantation]]s of the nearby British colonies and [[South Africa]]. Because policies and development plans were primarily designed by the ruling authorities for the benefit of Mozambique's Portuguese population, little attention was paid to Mozambique's tribal integration and the development of its native communities. This affected a majority of the indigenous population who suffered both state-sponsored discrimination and enormous social pressure. Many felt they had received too little opportunity or resources to upgrade their skills and improve their economic and social situation to a degree comparable to that of the Europeans. The [[Front for the Liberation of Mozambique]] (FRELIMO), initiated a guerrilla campaign against Portuguese rule in September 1964. This conflict, along with the two others already initiated in the other Portuguese colonies of [[Angola]] and [[Guinea-Bissau]], became part of the so-called [[Portuguese Colonial War]] (1961-1974). After 10 years of sporadic warfare and Portugal's return to democracy through a leftist military coup in [[Lisbon]] (the [[Carnation Revolution]] of April 1974), FRELIMO took control of the territory. Within a year, almost all Portuguese population had left – some expelled by the government of the newly-independent territory, some fleeing in fear –, and Mozambique became independent from Portugal on June 25, 1975. ===Conflict and civil war=== {{main|Mozambican Civil War}} The new government, under president [[Samora Machel]], gave shelter and support to South African ([[African National Congress]]) and Zimbabwean ([[Zimbabwe African National Union]]) liberation movements while the governments of first [[Rhodesia]] and later South Africa (at that time still operating the [[Apartheid]] laws) fostered and financed an armed rebel movement in central Mozambique called the [[Mozambican National Resistance]] (RENAMO). Hence, [[Mozambican Civil War|civil war]], sabotage from neighbouring white-ruled states such as Rhodesia and the Apartheid regime of South Africa, and economic collapse characterized the first decade of Mozambican independence. Also marking this period were the mass exodus of Portuguese nationals and Mozambicans of Portuguese heritage, a weak infrastructure, and government nationalisation of privately owned industries. During most of the civil war, the government was unable to exercise effective control outside of urban areas, many of which were cut off from the capital. An estimated one million Mozambicans perished during the civil war, 1.7 million took refuge in neighbouring states, and several million more were internally displaced. On [[October 19]], [[1986]] Samora Machel was on his way back from an international meeting in [[Zambia]] in the presidential [[Tupolev Tu-134]] aircraft when the plane crashed in the [[Lebombo Mountains]], near Mbuzini. There were nine survivors but President Machel and twenty-four others died, including ministers and officials of the Mozambique government. The [[United Nations]]' [[Soviet Union]] delegation issued a minority report contending that their expertise and experience had been undermined by the South Africans. Representatives of the Soviet Union advanced the theory that the plane had been intentionally diverted by a false [[VHF omnidirectional range|navigational beacon]] signal, using a technology provided by military intelligence operatives of the South African government (at that time still operating the laws of Apartheid).<ref name="TRC">{{cite web |title=Special Investigation into the death of President Samora Machel |work=[[Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa)|]] Report, vol.2, chapter 6a |url=http://www.news24.com/Content_Display/TRC_Report/2chap6a.htm |accessmonthday=June 18 |accessyear=2006}}</ref> Machel's successor, [[Joaquim Chissano]], continued the reforms and began peace talks with RENAMO. The new constitution enacted in 1990 provided for a multi-party political system, market-based economy, and free elections. The civil war ended in October 1992 with the [[Rome General Peace Accords]], brokered by the [[Community of Sant'Egidio]]. Under supervision of the [[ONUMOZ]] peacekeeping force of the United Nations, peace returned to Mozambique. By mid-1995 the more than 1.7 million Mozambican refugees who had sought asylum in neighbouring [[Malawi]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Swaziland]], [[Zambia]], [[Tanzania]], and South Africa as a result of war and drought had returned, as part of the largest repatriation witnessed in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, a further estimated four million internally displaced persons returned to their areas of origin. ===Foreign relations=== <!--Please add new information to relevant articles of the series--> {{main|Foreign relations of Mozambique}} While allegiances dating back to the liberation struggle remain relevant, Mozambique's foreign policy has become increasingly pragmatic. The twin pillars of Mozambique's foreign policy are maintenance of good relations with its neighbours and maintenance and expansion of ties to development partners. During the 1970s and the early 1980s, Mozambique's foreign policy was inextricably linked to the struggles for majority rule in [[Rhodesia]] and South Africa as well as superpower competition and the [[Cold War]]. Mozambique's decision to enforce UN sanctions against Rhodesia and deny that country access to the sea led [[Ian Smith]]'s government to undertake overt and covert actions to destabilize the country. Although the change of government in Zimbabwe in 1980 removed this threat, the government of South Africa (at that time still operating under the laws of Apartheid) continued to finance the destabilization of Mozambique. It also belonged to the [[Front Line States]]. The 1984 [[Nkomati Accord]], while failing in its goal of ending South African support to RENAMO, opened initial diplomatic contacts between the Mozambican and South African governments. This process gained momentum with South Africa's elimination of [[apartheid]], which culminated in the establishment of full diplomatic relations in October 1993. While relations with neighbouring Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania show occasional strains, Mozambique's ties to these countries remain strong. In the years immediately following its independence, Mozambique benefited from considerable assistance from some Western countries, notably the [[Scandinavia]]ns. The Soviet Union and its allies, however, became Mozambique's primary economic, military, and political supporters and its foreign policy reflected this linkage. This began to change in 1983; in 1984 Mozambique joined the [[World Bank]] and [[International Monetary Fund]]. Western aid quickly replaced Soviet support, with the [[Scandinavia]]ns countries of [[Sweden]], [[Norway]], [[Denmark]] and [[Iceland]]. [[Finland]] and the [[Netherlands]] are becoming increasingly important sources of development assistance. [[Italy]] also maintains a profile in Mozambique as a result of its key role during the peace process. Relations with [[Portugal]], the former colonial power, continue to play an important role as Portuguese investors play a visible role in Mozambique's economy. Mozambique is a member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] and ranks among the moderate members of the African bloc in the [[United Nations]] and other international organisations. Mozambique also belongs to the [[African Union]] (formerly the [[Organisation of African Unity]]) and the [[Southern African Development Community]]. In 1994, the government became a full member of the [[Organisation of the Islamic Conference]], in part to broaden its base of international support but also to please the country's sizable Muslim population. Similarly, in early 1996 Mozambique joined its [[Anglophone]] neighbours in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. It is the only nation to join the Commonwealth that was never part of the [[British Empire]]. In the same year, Mozambique became a founding member and the first President of the [[Community of Portuguese Language Countries]] (CPLP), and maintains close ties with other [[Lusophone]] states. == Provinces, districts, and postos == {{main|Provinces of Mozambique|Districts of Mozambique|Postos of Mozambique}} Mozambique is divided into ten [[province]]s (''provincias'') and one capital city (''cidade capital'') with provincial status. The provinces are subdivided into 129 [[district]]s (''distritos''). The districts are further divided in 405 "Postos Administrativos" (Administrative Posts) and then into Localidades (Localities), the lowest geographical level of the central state administration. Since 1998, 33 "Municípios" (Municipalities) have been created in Mozambique. {| border="0" |style="vertical-align:middle;"| #[[Cabo Delgado Province|Cabo Delgado]] #[[Gaza Province|Gaza]] #[[Inhambane Province|Inhambane]] #[[Manica Province|Manica]] #[[Maputo]] (city) #[[Maputo Province|Maputo]] #[[Nampula Province|Nampula]] #[[Niassa Province|Niassa]] #[[Sofala Province|Sofala]] #[[Tete Province|Tete]] #[[Zambezia Province|Zambezia]] |width="230" style="vertical-align:middle;"| [[Image:Mozambique Provinces numbered 300px.png|right|200px|Map of Mozambique with the province highlighted]] |} ==Geography and climate== {{main|Geography of Mozambique}} {{MapLibrary|Mozambique_sat.png|Mozambique}} At 309,475 [[square miles]] (801,590&nbsp;km²), Mozambique is the world's 35th-largest country (after [[Pakistan]]). It is comparable in size to [[Turkey]]. Mozambique is located on the southeast coast of Africa. It is bound by [[Swaziland]] to the south, [[South Africa]] to the southwest, [[Zimbabwe]] to the west, [[Zambia]] and [[Malawi]] to the northwest, [[Tanzania]] to the north and the [[Indian Ocean]] to the east. The country is divided into two topographical regions by the [[Zambezi River]]. To the North of the Zambezi River, the narrow coastline moves inland to hills and low plateaux, and further west to rugged highlands, which include the [[Niassa]] highlands, [[Namuli]] or Shire highlands, Angonia highlands, [[Tete]] highlands and the [[Makonde]] plateau. To the South of the Zambezi River, the lowlands are broader with the Mashonaland plateau and [[Lebomo]] mountains located in the deep south. [[Image:Gurue_Mount_Murresse.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Mount [[Murresse]] and [[tea]] plantations near [[Gurúè]], [[Zambezia Province]], northern Mozambique.]] The country is drained by five principal rivers and several smaller ones with the largest and most important the Zambezi. The country has three lakes, [[Lake Niassa]] or Malawi, [[Lake Chiuta]] and [[Lake Shirwa]], all in the north. The major cities are [[Maputo]], [[Beira, Mozambique|Beira]], [[Nampula]], [[Tete]], [[Quelimane]], [[Chimoio]], [[Pemba, Mozambique|Pemba]], [[Inhambane]], [[Xai-Xai]] and [[Lichinga]]. Mozambique has a tropical climate with two seasons. A wet season from October to March and a dry season from April to September. Climatic conditions, however, vary depending on altitude. Rainfall is heavy along the coast and decreases in the north and south. Annual precipitation varies from 500 to 900 mm (20 to 35 inches) depending on the region with an average of 590 mm (23 inches). Cyclones are also common during the wet season. Average temperature ranges in Maputo are from 13 to 24 degrees Celsius (55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) in July to 22 to 31 degrees Celsius (72 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit) in February. ==Politics== {{main|Politics of Mozambique}} Mozambique is a multi-party [[democracy]] under the 1990 [[constitution]]. The executive branch comprises a president, [[Heads of Government of Mozambique|prime minister]], and Council of Ministers. There is a [[Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique|National Assembly]] and municipal assemblies. The judiciary comprises a Supreme Court and provincial, district, and municipal courts. [[Suffrage]] is universal at eighteen. In the 1994 [[Elections in Mozambique|elections]]. Joaquim Chissano was elected President with 53% of the vote, and a 250-member National Assembly was voted in with 129 Liberation Front of Mozambique ([[FRELIMO]]) deputies, 112 [[Mozambican National Resistance]] (RENAMO) deputies, and nine representatives of three smaller parties that formed the [[Democratic Union (Mozambique)|Democratic Union]] (UD). Since its formation in 1994, the National Assembly has made progress in becoming a body increasingly more independent of the executive. By 1999, more than one-half (53%) of the legislation passed originated in the Assembly. After some delays, in 1998 the country held its first local elections to provide for local representation and some budgetary authority at the municipal level. The principal opposition party, RENAMO, boycotted the local elections, citing flaws in the registration process. Independent slates contested the elections and won seats in municipal assemblies. Turnout was very low. In the aftermath of the 1998 local elections, the government resolved to make more accommodations to the opposition's procedural concerns for the second round of multiparty national elections in 1999. Working through the National Assembly, the electoral law was rewritten and passed by consensus in December 1998. Financed largely by international donors, a very successful voter registration was conducted from July to September 1999, providing voter registration cards to 85% of the potential electorate (more than seven million voters). The second general elections were held December 3-5, 1999, with high [[voter turnout]]. International and domestic observers agreed that the voting process was well organised and went smoothly. Both the opposition and observers subsequently cited flaws in the tabulation process that, had they not occurred, might have changed the outcome. In the end, however, international and domestic observers concluded that the close result of the vote reflected the will of the people. President Chissano won the presidency with a margin of 4% points over the RENAMO-Electoral Union coalition candidate, Afonso Dhlakama, and began his five-year term in January, 2000. FRELIMO increased its majority in the National Assembly with 133 out of 250 seats. RENAMO-UE coalition won 116 seats, one went independent, and no third parties are represented. The opposition coalition did not accept the National Election Commission's results of the presidential vote and filed a formal complaint to the Supreme Court. One month after the voting, the court dismissed the opposition's challenge and validated the election results. The opposition did not file a complaint about the results of the legislative vote. The second local elections, involving thirty-three municipalities with some 2.4 million registered voters, took place in November 2003. This was the first time that FRELIMO, RENAMO-UE, and independent parties competed without significant boycotts. The 24% turnout was well above the 15% turnout in the first municipal elections. FRELIMO won twenty-eight mayoral positions and the majority in twenty-nine municipal assemblies, while RENAMO won five mayoral positions and the majority in four municipal assemblies. The voting was conducted in an orderly fashion without violent incidents. However, the period immediately after the elections was marked by objections about voter and candidate registration and vote tabulation, as well as calls for greater transparency. [[Image:Armando Guebuza 2005.jpg|thumb|left|Mozambique's president, Armando Guebuza.]] In May 2004, the government approved a new general elections law that contained innovations based on the experience of the 2003 municipal elections. Presidential and National Assembly elections took place on December 1-2, 2004. FRELIMO candidate Armando Guebuza won with 64% of the popular vote. His opponent, Afonso Dhlakama of RENAMO, received 32% of the popular vote. FRELIMO won 160 seats in Parliament. A coalition of RENAMO and several small parties won the 90 remaining seats. Armando Guebuza was inaugurated as the President of Mozambique on [[February 2]], [[2005]]. RENAMO and some other opposition parties made claims of election fraud and denounced the result. These claims were supported by international observers (among others by the European Union Election Observation Mission to Mozambique and the Carter Centre) to the elections who criticised the fact that the National Electoral Commission (CNE) did not conduct fair and transparent elections. They listed a whole range of shortcomings by the electoral authorities that benefited the ruling party FRELIMO. However, according to EU observers, the elections shortcomings have probably not affected the final result in the presidential election. On the other hand, the observers have declared that the outcome of the parliamentary election and thus the distribution of seats in the National Assembly does not reflect the will of the Mozambican people and is clearly to the disadvantage of RENAMO. The [[Reporters Without Borders]]' Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2006 ranked Mozambique 45th out of 168 countries. ==Economy== {{update}} [[Image:Women in Mozambique with maize.jpg|thumb|Women in Mozambique with maize.]] {{main|Economy of Mozambique}} The official currency is the [[Mozambican metical|New Metical]] (as of 2007, 1 USD is roughly equivalent to 25 Meticals), which replaced old Meticals in rate thousand to one. The old currency will be redeemed by the [[Bank of Mozambique]] until the end of 2012. The [[United States dollar|US dollar]], [[South African rand]], and recently the [[Euro]] are also widely accepted and used in business transactions. The minimum legal salary is around US$60 per month. Mozambique is member of the [[Southern African Development Community]] (SADC). The SADC [[free trade]] protocol is aimed at making the Southern African region more competitive by eliminating [[tariff]]s and other [[trade barrier]]s. ===Rebounding growth=== The resettlement of [[Mozambican Civil War|civil war]] [[war refugee|refugee]]s and successful economic reform have led to a high growth rate: the average growth rate from 1993 to 1999 was 6.7%; from 1997 to 1999 it averaged more than 10% per year. The devastating [[2000 Mozambique flood|floods of early 2000]] slowed GDP growth to 2.1%. A full recovery was achieved with growth of 14.8% in 2001. In 2003, the growth rate was 7%. The government projects the economy to continue to expand between 7%-10% a year for the next five years, although rapid expansion in the future hinges on several major foreign investment projects, continued economic reform, and the revival of the agriculture, transportation, and tourism sectors. More than 75% of the population engages in small scale agriculture, which still suffers from inadequate infrastructure, commercial networks, and investment. However, 88% of Mozambique's arable land is still [[Tillage|uncultivated]]. In addition, the profitable exploitation of valuable titanium reserves has the potential to uplift this poverty stricken region of Africa. As a natural resource, it could play a significant role in solving unemployment and poverty. ===Inflation=== [[Image:cahorabassadam.jpg|thumb|200px|right|A view of the [[Cahora Bassa]] reservoir.]] The government's tight control of spending and the money supply, combined with financial sector reform, successfully reduced [[inflation]] from 70% in 1994 to less than 5% in 1998-99. Economic disruptions stemming from the devastating floods of 2000 caused inflation to jump to 12.7% that year, and it was 13% in 2003. The Mozambique's currency, the [[Mozambican metical|Metical]] (MZN), [[devaluation|devaluated]] by 50% to the dollar in 2001, although in late 2001 it began to stabilize. Since then, it has held steady at about 24,000 MZN to 1 U.S. dollar. New Metical replaced old Meticals in rate thousand to one on [[January 1]] [[2007]] bringing the exchange rate to 25 (new) MZN to 1 USD. ===Economic reforms=== More than 1,200 [[Nationalization|state-owned enterprises]] (mostly small) have been [[privatisation|privatised]]. Preparations for privatisation and/or sector liberalisation are underway for the remaining parastatal enterprises, including telecommunications, energy, ports, and the railways. The government frequently selects a strategic foreign investor when privatising a parastatal. Additionally, customs duties have been reduced, and customs management has been streamlined and reformed. The government introduced a value-added tax in 1999 as part of its efforts to increase domestic revenues. Plans for 2003-04 include Commercial Code reform; comprehensive judicial reform; financial sector strengthening; continued civil service reform; and improved government budget, audit, and inspection capability. Further political instability resulting from the floods left thousands homeless, displaced within their own country.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}<!--outdated??--> ===Improving trade imbalance=== [[Image:Mil meticais.jpg|thumb|An old 1000 metical note, prior to redenomination on [[1 July]] [[2006]]]] Imports remain almost 40% greater than exports, but this is a significant improvement over the 4:1 ratio of the immediate post-war years. In 2003, imports were $1.24 billion and exports were $910 million. Support programs provided by foreign donors and private financing of foreign direct investment mega-projects and their associated raw materials, have largely compensated for balance-of-payments shortfalls. The medium-term outlook for exports is encouraging, since a number of foreign investment projects should lead to substantial export growth and a better trade balance. MOZAL, a large aluminum smelter that commenced production in mid-2000, has greatly expanded the nation's trade volume. Traditional Mozambican exports include cashews, shrimp, fish, copra, sugar, cotton, tea, and citrus fruits. Most of these industries are being rehabilitated. As well, Mozambique is less dependent on imports for basic food and manufactured goods because of steady increases in local production. ==Demographics== [[Image:Mozambique022.jpg|thumb|Children in Mozambique|upright]] {{main|Demographics of Mozambique}} The north-central provinces of Zambezia and Nampula are the most populous, with about 45% of the population. The estimated four million [[Macua (people)|Macua]] are the dominant group in the northern part of the country; the [[Sena people|Sena]] and [[Shona people|Shona]] (mostly [[Ndau]]) are prominent in the Zambezi valley, and the [[Shangaan|Shangaan (Tsonga)]] dominate in southern Mozambique. Other groups include [[Makonde]], [[WaYao|Yao]], [[Swahili people|Swahili]], [[Tonga people|Tonga]], [[Chopi people|Chopi]], and [[Nguni]] (including [[Zulu]]). [[Bantu]] people comprise 99.66% of the population, the remaining 0.34% include [[Europe]]ans 0.06% (largely of [[Portugal|Portuguese]] ancestry), Euro-Africans 0.2% ([[mestizo|''mestiço'']] people of mixed Bantu and Portuguese heritage), and [[India]]ns 0.08%.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mz.html#People "Mozambique".] ''CIA World Factbook.'' Retrieved 22 May 2007.</ref> During Portuguese colonial rule, a large minority of people of Portuguese descent lived permanently in almost all areas of the country, and Mozambicans with Portuguese blood at the time of independence numbered about 260,000. Most of these left the region after independence from Portugal in 1975. The remaining minorities in Mozambique claim heritage from [[Pakistan]], [[Portuguese India]] and [[Arab]] countries. There are also some 7,000 [[overseas Chinese|Chinese]]. Despite the influence of Islamic coastal traders and European colonisers, the people of Mozambique have largely retained an indigenous culture based on small-scale agriculture. Mozambique's most well-known art forms are wood sculpture, for which the [[Makonde]] in northern Mozambique are particularly renowned, and dance. The middle and upper classes continue to be heavily influenced by the Portuguese colonial and linguistic heritage. ===Languages=== {{main|Languages of Mozambique}} [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] is the official and most widely spoken language of the nation, because Bantus speak several of their different languages (most widely used of these are [[Swahili language|Swahili]], [[Makhuwa language|Makhuwa]], [[Sena language|Sena]], [[Ndau language|Ndau]], and [[Tsonga language|Shangaan]] &mdash; these have many Portuguese-origin words), but 40% of all people speak it &mdash; 33.5%, mostly Bantus, as their second language and only 6.5%, mostly white Portuguese and mestiços, speak it as their first language. Arabs, Chinese, and Indians speak their own languages (Indians from Portuguese India speak any of the [[Portuguese Creole]]s of their origin) aside from Portuguese as their second language. Most educated Mozambicans speak [[English language|English]], which is used in schools and business as second or third language. ===Education=== {{main|Education in Mozambique}} Under Portuguese rule, educational opportunities for poor Mozambicans were limited; Most of the Bantu population was illiterate, and many could not speak Portuguese. In fact, most of today's political leaders were educated in missionary schools. After independence, the government placed a high priority on expanding education, which reduced the illiteracy rate to about two-thirds as primary school enrollment increased. Unfortunately in recent years, school construction and teacher training enrollments have not kept up with population increases. With post-war enrollments reaching all-time highs, the quality of education has suffered. All Mozambicans are required by law to attend school through the primary level. After grade 7, students must take standardised national exams to enter secondary school, which runs from 8th to 10th grade. Secondary school students study Portuguese, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, history, geography, physical education, technical drawing, and English (which all schoolchildren begin in grade 6). Another round of national exams after grade 10 allows passage into pre-university school (grades 11 and 12), in which students have the opportunity to study all of the former subjects (minus physical education) plus philosophy and French. Space in Mozambican universities is extremely limited; thus most students who complete pre-university school do not immediately proceed onto university studies. Many go to work as teachers or are unemployed. There are also institutes specialising in agricultural, technical, or pedagogical studies which students may attend after grade 10 in lieu of a pre-university school, which give more vocational training. A lot of children in Mozambique don't go to primary school because they have to work for their families' subsistence farms for a living. ==Religion== {{main|Religion in Mozambique}} According to the 1997 Second General Population and Housing [[Census]], the religions of the polled population were as follows: 34.2% identified themselves as [[Roman Catholic]]; 24.25% claimed to not be affiliated with a religion; 18.7% adhering to [[Zionism (southern African religion)|Zionism]] (an African form of Christianity); 7.8% of the population were cited as [[Islam|Muslims]]; 11.45% as other non-Catholic Christians; 3.6% as "other". The [[Roman Catholic Church]] has established twelve dioceses (Beira, Chimoio, Gurué, Inhambane, Lichinga, Maputo, Nacala, Nampula, Pemba, Quelimane, Tete, and Xai-Xai - archdioceses are [[Beira]], [[Maputo]] and [[Nampula]]). Statistics for the dioceses range from a low 7.44% Catholics in the population in the diocese of Chimoio, to 87.50% in Quelimane diocese (2006 official Catholic figures). Muslims are particularly present in the north of the country. They are organised in several "tariqa" or brotherhoods (of the Qadiriya or Shadhuliyyah branch). Two national organisations also exist - the Conselho Islamico de Moçambique (reformists) and the Congresso Islamico de Mocambique (pro-sufi). There are also important Indo-Pakistani associations as well as some Shia and particularly Ismaili communities. Among the main [[Protestant]] churches are [[Baptist|Igreja União Baptista de Moçambique]], the [[Assemblies of God|Assembleias de Deus]], the [[Seventh-day Adventists]], the [[Anglican Church of Southern Africa]], the [[Gospel|Igreja do Evangelho Completo de Deus]], the [[Methodist|Igreja Metodista Unida]], the [[Presbyterian|Igreja Presbiteriana de Moçambique]], the [[Christ|Igreja de Cristo]] and the [[Pentecostal|Assembleia Evangélica de Deus]]. [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] is also present as well as the [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], the Brazilian [[Universal Church of the Kingdom of God|Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus]], and the [[Salvation Army]].{{Fact|date=March 2007}} ==Music== {{main|Music of Mozambique}} Mozambique has distinct styles of music and distinct patterns of use of instruments. Some of the music styles fall into the classification of [[Lusophone music]]al culture. ==See also== *[[List of Mozambique-related topics]] *[[Communications in Mozambique]] *[[Liga dos Escuteiros de Moçambique]] *[[List of conservation areas of Mozambique]] *[[Military of Mozambique]] *[[Public holidays in Mozambique]] *[[Transport in Mozambique]] ==References== <div class="references-small"> {{factbook}} {{reflist}} </div> ==Bibliography== *Abrahamsson, Hans ''Mozambique: The Troubled Transition, from Socialist Construction to Free Market Capitalism'' London: Zed Books, 1995 *Cahen, Michel ''Les bandits: un historien au Mozambique_, Paris: Gulbenkian, 1994 *Pitcher, Anne ''Transforming Mozambique: The politics of privatisation, 1975–2000'' Cambridge, 2002 *Newitt, Malyn ''A History of Mozambique'' Indiana University Press *Varia, "Religion in Mozambique", ''LFM: Social sciences & Missions'' No. 17, December 2005 *Mwakikagile, Godfrey, ''Nyerere and Africa: End of an Era'', Third Edition, New Africa Press, 2006, "Chapter Seven: "The Struggle for Mozambique: The Founding of FRELIMO in Tanzania," pp. 206 - 225, ISBN 978-0980253412; Mwakikagile, Godfrey, ''Africa and America in The Sixties: A Decade That Changed The Nation and The Destiny of A Continent'', First Edition, New Africa Press, 2006, ISBN 978-0980253429 ==External links== {{external links}} {{sisterlinks|Mozambique}} *[http://www2.unil.ch/lefaitmissionnaire/pages/resources-mozambique.html Religion in Mozambique] *[http://www.open.ac.uk/technology/mozambique/index.shtml Open University U.K.: Mozambique Page] Has links to free articles on current affairs. ===Government=== *[http://www.govnet.gov.mz Republic of Mozambique] Official Government Portal *[http://www.misau.gov.mz Health Ministry] *[http://portal.mct.gov.mz Science and Technology Portal] *[http://www.inp.gov.mz National Petroleum Institute] *[http://www.ine.gov.mz/Ingles Instituto Nacional de Estatística] The National Statistical Office ===Business, investment and legal information=== *[http://www.clubofmozambique.com Mozambique Business and Information Portal] Club of Mozambique - Business Portal *[http://www.afimmz.org AFIM] AFIM - Association of Mozambique Investors *[http://www.acmmz.org ACM] ACM - Associação Comercial de Moçambique ===Economics, trade and development=== *[http://www.tipmoz.com USAID Trade & Investment Project] *[http://www.beluzone.co.mz Beluluane Industrial Park and Free Trade Zone] ===Observing politics=== *[http://www.mozambique.mz/awepa/issues.htm Mozambique Political Process Bulletin] *{{PDFlink|[http://www.cartercenter.org/documents/2218.pdf Special Report on Mozambique 2004 Elections by the Carter Center]|1.65&nbsp;[[Mebibyte|MiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 1735397 bytes -->}} *{{PDFlink|[http://www.kas.de/upload/auslandshomepages/election-moza_final-report.pdf Final Report of the European Union Election Observation Mission]|388&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 398333 bytes -->}} ===News=== * [http://www.poptel.org.uk/mozambique-news The Mozambique News Agency - AIM Reports] * [http://www.sortmoz.com/aimnews/ Agência de Informação de Moçambique] * [http://www.zambeze.co.mz/zambeze/ Independent Weekly from Maputo in Portuguese] * [http://www.canalmoz.com/ Independent Newspaper from Maputo in Portuguese] * [http://www.africaintelligence.com/aif/channels/defaultchannels.asp?channel=MOZAMBIQUE&type=country Indian Ocean Newsletter - Mozambique] ===Forums=== *[http://www.maputo.co.mz/forum The most popular Forum in Mozambique] *[http://www.mozambig-forum.com/ MozamBIG-Forum.com - The best place to discuss Mozambique] (in Portuguese) *[http://imensis.net/forum/ Imensis Comunity Forum] *[http://www.clubofmozambique.com/solutions1/myBB/ Clubofmozambique Forum and Classifieds] ===Overviews=== *[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1063120.stm BBC News Country Profile - ''Mozambique''] *[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mz.html CIA World Factbook - ''Mozambique''] *[http://ucrania-mozambique.blogspot.com/2007/06/moambique-e-paz-mundial.html Mozambique on Global Peace Index] *[http://www.professores.uff.br/hjbortol/arquivo/2006.1/applets/mozambique_en.html Mozambique's location on a 3D globe (Java)] ===Directories=== *[http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/Mozambique/ Open Directory Project - ''Mozambique''] directory category *[http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/moz.html Stanford University - Africa South of the Sahara: ''Mozambique''] directory category *[http://www.afrika.no/index/Countries/Mozambique/ The Index on Africa - ''Mozambique''] directory category *[http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Country_Specific/Mozambique.html University of Pennsylvania - African Studies Center: ''Mozambique''] directory category *[http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Mozambique/ Yahoo! - ''Mozambique''] directory category *[http://www.business-anti-corruption.dk/normal.asp?pageid=119 Business Anti-Corruption Portal] Mozambique Country Profile ===Tourism=== *{{wikitravel}} *[http://www.clubofmozambique.com/solutions1/mozguide_maputo.php Mozambique Tourism Guide] {{Template group |title = Geographic locale |list = {{Countries of Africa}} {{Indian Ocean}} }} {{Template group |title = International membership and history |list = {{Member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)}} {{Latinunion}} {{Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)|state=collapsed}} {{Member states of the African Union}} {{Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP)|state=collapsed}} {{Portuguese overseas empire}} {{Niger-Congo-speaking}} {{Commonwealth of Nations}} }} .. <!--Categories--> [[Category:Mozambique| ]] [[Category:African Union member states]] [[Category:Portuguese-speaking countries]] [[Category:East Africa]] [[Category:Former Portuguese colonies]] [[Category:1975 establishments]] [[Category:Least Developed Countries]] [[Category:Members of the Commonwealth of Nations]] <!--Other languages--> [[af:Mosambiek]] [[als:Mosambik]] [[am:ሞዛምቢክ]] [[ang:Mosambice]] [[ar:موزمبيق]] [[an:Mozambique]] [[frp:Mozambique]] [[ast:Mozambique]] [[az:Mozambik]] [[bm:Mozanbik]] [[bn:মোজাম্বিক]] [[zh-min-nan:Moçambique]] [[be-x-old:Мазамбік]] [[bs:Mozambik]] [[br:Mozambik]] [[bg:Мозамбик]] [[ca:Moçambic]] [[cv:Мозамбик]] [[ceb:Mozambique]] [[cs:Mosambik]] [[cy:Mosambic]] [[da:Mozambique]] [[de:Mosambik]] [[dv:މުސިންބީ]] [[et:Mosambiik]] [[el:Μοζαμβίκη]] [[es:Mozambique]] [[eo:Mozambiko]] [[eu:Mozambike]] [[fa:موزامبیک]] [[fo:Mosambik]] [[fr:Mozambique]] [[ga:Mósaimbíc]] [[gv:Yn Vosambeeck]] [[gd:Mòsaimbic]] [[gl:Mozambique - Moçambique]] [[ko:모잠비크]] [[hy:Մոզամբիկ]] [[hi:मोस़ाम्बीक]] [[hr:Mozambik]] [[io:Mozambik]] [[ilo:Mosambike]] [[bpy:মোজাম্বিক]] [[id:Mozambik]] [[ia:Mozambique]] [[ie:Mozambique]] [[os:Мозамбик]] [[is:Mósambík]] [[it:Mozambico]] [[he:מוזמביק]] [[jv:Mozambik]] [[pam:Mozambique]] [[kn:ಮೊಜಾಂಬಿಕ್]] [[ka:მოზამბიკი]] [[ks:मोजम्बीक]] [[kk:Мозамбик]] [[kw:Mosambik]] [[sw:Msumbiji]] [[kg:Musambiki]] [[ht:Mozanbik]] [[ku:Mozambîk]] [[la:Mozambicum]] [[lv:Mozambika]] [[lb:Mosambik]] [[lt:Mozambikas]] [[lij:Moçambico]] [[ln:Mozambíki]] [[hu:Mozambik]] [[mk:Мозамбик]] [[ml:മൊസാംബിക്ക്]] [[ms:Mozambique]] [[nah:Mozambique]] [[nl:Mozambique]] [[ja:モザンビーク]] [[no:Mosambik]] [[nn:Mosambik]] [[nov:Mozambik]] [[oc:Moçambic]] [[uz:Mozambik]] [[ps:موزمبيق]] [[pms:Mosambich]] [[nds:Mosambik]] [[pl:Mozambik]] [[pt:Moçambique]] [[crh:Mozambik]] [[ro:Mozambic]] [[qu:Musambik]] [[ru:Мозамбик]] [[se:Mosambik]] [[sa:मोजम्बीक]] [[sq:Mozambiku]] [[scn:Mozambicu]] [[simple:Mozambique]] [[ss:IMozambikhi]] [[sk:Mozambik]] [[sl:Mozambik]] [[szl:Mozambik]] [[so:Musaanbiiq]] [[sr:Мозамбик]] [[sh:Mozambik]] [[fi:Mosambik]] [[sv:Moçambique]] [[tl:Mozambique]] [[ta:மொசாம்பிக்]] [[tet:Mosambike]] [[th:ประเทศโมซัมบิก]] [[vi:Mozambique]] [[tg:Мозамбик]] [[ve:Mozambikwi]] [[tr:Mozambik]] [[uk:Мозамбік]] [[vec:Mozanbico]] [[vo:Mosambikän]] [[wo:Mosambik]] [[ts:Mozambique]] [[diq:Mozambik]] [[bat-smg:Mozambiks]] [[zh:莫桑比克]]