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Mozambique:
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Other pages in this profile of Mozambique:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Definition Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid 1990's. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment. Mozambique has seen very strong economic growth since the end of the civil war largely due to post-conflict reconstruction. |
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Location |
Definition Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania |
Geographic coordinates |
Definition 18 15 S, 35 00 E |
Map references |
Definition Africa |
Area |
Definition - World rank and map total: 801,590 sq km land: 784,090 sq km water: 17,500 sq km |
Area - comparative |
Definition slightly less than twice the size of California |
Land boundaries |
Definition total: 4,571 km border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km |
Coastline |
Definition 2,470 km |
Maritime claims |
Definition territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Climate |
Definition tropical to subtropical |
Terrain |
Definition mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west |
Elevation extremes |
Definition lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m |
Natural resources |
Definition coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite |
Land use |
Definition - World rank and map arable land: 5.43% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 94.28% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
Definition 1,180 sq km (2003) |
Total renewable water resources |
Definition 216 cu km (1992) |
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) |
Definition total: 0.63 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%) per capita: 32 cu m/yr (2000) |
Natural hazards |
Definition severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces |
Environment - current issues |
Definition a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem |
Environment - international agreements |
Definition party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Geography - note |
Definition the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country |
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