Country Guide • Mozambique
Mozambique is located on the south east coast of Africa. It is bound by Swaziland to the south, South Africa to the south west, Zimbabwe to the west, Zambia and Malawi to the north west, Tanzania to the north and the Indian Ocean to the east.
| Official Name | Republic of Mozambique |
|---|---|
| Area | 798,800km² (308,418mile²) |
| Population | 17,479,000 |
| Continent | Africa |
| Population per mile² | 56 |
| Capital City | Maputo |
| Religions | 48% follow local native tribal beliefs, 39% Christians and 13% Muslims |
| Language | Portuguese (official), indigenous languages |
| Government | Republic |
| Currency | Metical |
| GDP | $19.2 billion |
| GDP per Head | $1,000 |
| Natural Resources | Coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite |
| Land Use | Arable Land 4% |
| Agriculture | Cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry |
| Industry | Beverages, Chemicals, Cement, Food Processing, Mining, Petroleum Products and Textiles |
| Tourism | The best time to visit is the months of June to August, when both rainfall and temperatures are at their lowest. It is now possible to travel in relative safety but getting around does require you to keep vigilant. There are a variety of things to do, including world-renowned beaches, World Heritage sites, colonial architecture and local culture |
| Natural Hazards | Cyclones between October - March |
| Health Risks | Bilharzia, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, diphtheria, tetanus, meninogococcal meningitis, polio, malaria. 1,000,000 land mines - laid by both sides during the war - remain unexploded in Mozambique |
| Climate | Mozambique has a tropical climate with two seasons. A wet season from October - March and a dry season from April - September. Climatic conditions, however, vary depending on altitude. Rainfall is heavy along the coast and decreases in the north and south. Annual rainfall varies from 20 to 35 inches depending on the region with an average of 23 inches. Average temperature ranges in Maputo are from 13 to 24°C in July to 22 to 31°C in February |
| Time | GMT/UTC+2 hours |
| National Days | 3 February - Heroes' Day 7 April - Women's Day 1 May - Workers' Day 25 June - Independence Day 7 September - Victory Day 25 September - Revolution Day |
| Visas | Foreign visitors to Mozambique need visas. Single entry visit visas for tourism are now available at the Ressano Garcia (South Africa) and Namaacha (Swaziland) borders, as well as the airport. Heavy fines are imposed on those without proper documentation. You should ensure that you have the correct visa for the purpose of your visit. You should obtain a clear explanation of the visa's validity and what it allows you to do. You should register with the British High Commission Consular Section in Maputo on arrival, either in person or by fax, providing your proposed itinerary, contact details if available, and photocopies of passports, visas and entry stamps. You should also keep separate photocopies of your passport (details page, visa and entry stamps) to avoid unnecessary delays in the event of a loss or theft. |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
