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Visitor Information
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Airports
Maputo International (MPM) (Maputo) is 3km (1.8 miles) northwest of the city. Bus and taxi services run to the
centre (travel time - 15 minutes). Airport facilities include bank, restaurant, bar, snack bar, car hire (Avis,
Hertz and Imperial) and post office.
Beira (BEW) is 13km (8 miles) from the city (travel time - 15 minutes). Beira receives flights from Continental
Europe, other African countries and America. Airport facilities include restaurant, shops and a post office.
International Air Travel
Mozambique’s national airline is LAM-Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (TM). Other airlines serving Mozambique include Air France,
Air
Mauritius, Ethiopian Airlines,
South African
Airways and TAP Air Portugal.
Flight Times
Approximate flight times
From Maputo to London is 14 hours, including stopover in Johannesburg.
Domestic Air Travel
There are flights linking Maputo with Beira, Blantyre (Malawi),
Inhambane, Lichinga, Nampula, Pemba, Quelimane and Tete. Flights depart from Maputo between 0500 and 0730 and are
subject to seasonal alterations. Flights are frequently delayed or cancelled and baggage is often lost or tampered
with. Air-taxi services are also available, and are the safest means of transport outside the main cities.
Many of the local charter flight companies now have scheduled flights around the country and to the islands.
Visa Requirements
All visitors must have a valid passport and visa. Tourist Visas are issued on arrival in Pemba or Maputo.
If entering the country with more than $US5000( or equivalent) , a "Declaration of entry of foreign currency"
must be completed at the customs desk. The Declaration must be shown if leaving with more than $US( or equivalent).
The gift allowance is $US 100, import duty must be paid on gifts above $US100 in value.
Note: No drugs, firearms, or explosive materials can be brought into Mozambique.
Departure tax
US$20 if destination is outside Africa; US$10 if destination is within Africa. Infants under two years of age and
transit passengers are exempt.
Travelling by Rail
A train runs six times a week from Johannesburg to the Mozambique border at Komatipoort where there is a connection
to Maputo (travel time – 15 hours). An overnight train runs regularly from Durban to Maputo. There is a service
from Harare to Beira. There are connections from Malawi to Beira (although the border still has to be crossed on
foot).
Note: Rail services are sometimes sporadic and unreliable.
Travelling by Road
There are good road links with all neighbouring countries except Tanzania. However, road travel can be dangerous
and should only be undertaken in daylight. Highjacking and robberies do occur. Bus: There is a daily bus service from Maputo to Johannesburg, and there are
good bus links to other South African cities. Minibuses run between Maputo and towns in Swaziland, crossing the
border at Namaacha.
Medical Services
Maputo and Beira have medical facilities. Pemba has a private clinic: Clinica de Cabo Delgado. Otherwise, medical
facilities are scarce and medicines are not easily available. It is recommended you carry a good supply of medicines
you may need, as well as a first aid kit. Doctors expect cash payment, so ensure your medical insurance covers
your trip to Moçambique.
Language
Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects
Religion
Indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
Climate
There are two main seasons - one wet and the other dry. The wet season, from November to March, has a monthly average
temperature of between 26.6°C and 29.4°C (80°F and 85°F), with cooler temperatures in the interior
uplands. The dry season lasts from April to October and has June and July temperatures averaging 18.4° to 20°C
(65° - 68°F). The average annual rainfall is greatest (about 56 inches) over the western hills and the
central areas, and lowest in the Zambezi lowlands averaging 16 to 32 inches.
Local Time
Mozambique is two hours ahead of GMT
Electricity
220V running at 50Hz. The Plug types used are :
Round pin attachment plug
"Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts
"South African" Plug (found especially near the border with South Africa, Maputo)
Car Hire
Most major towns have both international and national Car rental companies including: Avis Rent-A-Car, Hertz, Imperial,
Interfranca and Ibérica Rent-A-Car. Moti rent a car is the only car rental in Pemba, but many taxis roam
the streets. Current driver‘s license or International driver’s license is required. (a Mozambican driver’s license
is required if staying for more than 6 months)
Currency
Mozambique´s local currency is the Metical, however US dollars are widely accepted. Visa and Mastercard are
accepted throughout Mozambique, but Traveller's Cheques are not accepted. Obtaining a cash advance on a credit
card in a bank can be a costly and time consuming process.
Business Hours
Banking: Monday to Friday: 0730-1115 and 1500-1630
Shops: Monday to Friday: 0900-1300 and 1500-1830. Saturday: 0900-1300
Governmental offices: Monday to Friday: 0900-1200 and 1400-1730
Banks
Mozambique´s commercial banks - Bank Standard Totta de Moçambique, Banco de Fomento e Exterior, Banco
Popular de Desenvolvimento, Banco Internacional de Moçambique and Banco Comercial de Moçambique -
offer exchange services in their main Maputo branches. Banks in Pemba are Banco Austral (linked to ABSA) Standard
Bank (Linked Standard in SA) BCI and BIM.
Postal Services
The post offices are open Monday to Friday, 7h45 - 12h00 and 14h00 - 17h00 and Saturday mornings.
Telephones
Most major towns are served by a satellite telephone system. Direct dialling is available to South Africa and Swaziland.
Water
Tap water is usually safe to drink, but bottled water is available should you prefer this. Avoid eating food which
has not been cooked or peeled.
Additional Contact Information
Fundo Nacional do Turismo (FUTUR) (National Tourism Fund)
Avenida 25 de Setembro 1203, PO Box 4758, Maputo, Mozambique
Tel: (1) 307 320.
Website: www.futur.org.mz
Mozambique High Commission in the UK
21 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 6EL, UK
Tel: (020) 7383 3800.
Website: www.mozambiquehc.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1300; 1400-1600 (consular section).
Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique in the USA
1990 M Street, NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 293 7146/9.
Website: www.embamoc-usa.org |
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Background:
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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. The ruling 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 with rebel forces ended the fighting in 1992. |
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Location:
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Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa
and Tanzania |
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Geographic coordinates:
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18 15 S, 35 00 E |
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Area:
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total: 801,590 sq km
land: 784,090 sq km
water: 17,500 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly less than twice the size of California |
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Land boundaries:
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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 |
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical to subtropical |
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Terrain:
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mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest,
mountains in west |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m |
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Natural resources:
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coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite |
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Land use:
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arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 56%
forests and woodland: 18%
other: 22% (1993 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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1,200 sq km (2000 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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severe droughts and floods occur in central and southern provinces;
devastating cyclones |
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Environment - current issues:
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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 |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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Population:
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19,371,057
note: 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; the 1997
Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2001 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 42.72% (male 4,124,093; female 4,152,135)
15-64 years: 54.53% (male 5,222,477; female 5,339,615)
65 years and over: 2.75% (male 221,678; female 311,059) (2001 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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1.3% (2001 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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37.2 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) |
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Death rate:
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24.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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139.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 36.45 years
male: 37.25 years
female: 35.62 years (2001 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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4.82 children born/woman (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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13.22% (1999 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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1.2 million (1999 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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98,000 (1999 est.) |
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Nationality:
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noun: Mozambican(s)
adjective: Mozambican |
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Ethnic groups:
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indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan, Chokwe, Manyika, Sena,
Makua, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08% |
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Religions:
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indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20% |
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Languages:
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Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 42.3%
male: 58.4%
female: 27% (1998 est.) |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique
conventional short form: Mozambique
local long form: Republica de Mocambique
local short form: Mocambique
former: Portuguese East Africa |
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Government type:
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republic |
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Administrative divisions:
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10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza,
Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia |
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Independence:
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25 June 1975 (from Portugal) |
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 25 June (1975) |
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Constitution:
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30 November 1990 |
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Legal system:
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based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Luisa DIOGO (since 17 February 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to
be held December 2009); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Armando GUEBUZA elected president; percent of vote - Armando GUEBUZA 63.7%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 31.7% |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250
seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held December 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 62%, RENAMO 29.7%; seats by party - FRELIMO 160, RENAMO 90 |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional
judges are appointed by the president and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative
Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts
note: although the constitution provides for a separate Constitutional Court, one has never been established; in
its absence the Supreme Court reviews constitutional cases |
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Political parties and leaders:
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Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique)
or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, president]; Mozambique National Resistance-Electoral Union (Resistencia Nacional
Mocambicana-Uniao Eleitoral) or RENAMO-UE [Afonso DHLAKAMA, president] |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Institute for Peace and Democracy (Instituto para Paz e Democracia)
or IPADE [Raul DOMINGOS, president]; Etica [Abdul CARIMO Issa, chairman]; Movement for Peace and Citizenship (Movimento
para Paz e Cidadania); Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice
MABOTE, president]; Human Rights and Development (Direitos Humanos e Desenvolvimento) or DHD [Artemisia FRANCO,
secretary general] |
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International organization participation:
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ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent),
ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTO |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Armando PANGUENE
chancery: 1990 M Street NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146
FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Helen LA LIME
embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo
mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo
telephone: [258] (1) 492797
FAX: [258] (1) 490448 |
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Flag description:
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three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with
a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is
a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book |
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Economy - overview:
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Before the peace accord of October 1992, Mozambique's economy was
devastated by a protracted civil war and socialist mismanagement. In 1994, it ranked as one of the poorest countries
in the world. Since then, Mozambique has undertaken a series of economic reforms. Almost all aspects of the economy
have been liberalized to some extent. More than 900 state enterprises have been privatized. A value-added tax,
introduced in 1999, launched the government's comprehensive tax reform program. Pending are much needed commercial
code reform and greater private sector involvement in the transportation, telecommunications, and energy sectors.
Since 1996, inflation has been low and foreign exchange rates relatively stable. Albeit from a small base, Mozambique's
economy grew at an annual 10% rate in 1997-99, one of the highest growth rates in the world. Growth slowed and
inflation rose in 2000 due to devastating flooding in the early part of the year. Both indicators should recover
in 2001. The country depends on foreign assistance to balance the budget and to pay for a trade imbalance in which
imports greatly outnumber exports. The trade situation should improve in the medium term, however, as trade and
transportation links to South Africa and the rest of the region have been improved and sizeable foreign investments
are beginning to materialize. Among these investments are metal production (aluminum, steel), natural gas, power
generation, agriculture, fishing, timber, and transportation services. Mozambique has received a formal cancellation
of a large portion of its external debt through an IMF initiative and is scheduled to receive additional relief. |
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $19.1 billion (2000 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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3.8% (2000 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 44%
industry: 19%
services: 37% (1999 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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70% (2000 est.) |
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Household income or consumption by percentage
share:
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lowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 31.7% (1996-97) |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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11.4% (2000 est.) |
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Labor force:
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7.4 million (1997 est.) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 81%, industry 6%, services 13% (1997 est.) |
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Unemployment rate:
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21% (1997 est.) |
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Budget:
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revenues: $466.9 million
expenditures: $1.004 billion, including capital expenditures of $502.5 million (2000 est.) |
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Industries:
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food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum products,
textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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7.2% (1999) |
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Electricity - production:
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2.3 billion kWh (1999) |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel: 13.04%
hydro: 86.96%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1999) |
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Electricity - consumption:
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307 million kWh (1999) |
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Electricity - exports:
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1.9 billion kWh (1999) |
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Electricity - imports:
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68 million kWh (1999) |
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Agriculture - products:
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cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, rice,
coconuts, sisal, tropical fruits; beef, poultry |
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Exports:
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$390 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.) |
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Exports - commodities:
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prawns 40%, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity
(2000) |
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Exports - partners:
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EU 27%, South Africa 26%, Zimbabwe 15%, India 12%, US 5%, Japan 4%
(1999 est.) |
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Imports:
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$1.4 billion (c.i.f., 2000 est.) |
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs,
textiles (2000) |
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Imports - partners:
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South Africa 44%, EU 16%, US 6.5%, Japan 6.5%, Pakistan 3%, India
3% (1999 est.) |
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Debt - external:
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$1.4 billion (2000 est.) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$1.04 billion (1998) |
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Exchange rates:
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meticais per US dollar - 17,331.0 (January 2001), 5,199.8 (2000),
12,775.1 (1999), 11,874.6 (1998), 11.543.6 (1997), 11,293.8 (1996) |
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year |
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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65,354 (2000) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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18,500 (2000) |
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Telephone system:
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general assessment: fair system but not available generally
(telephone density is only 3.5 telephones for each 1,000 persons)
domestic: the system consists of open-wire lines and trunk connection by microwave radio relay and tropospheric
scatter
international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean) |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 13, FM 16, shortwave 12 (2000) |
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Television broadcast stations:
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1 (2000) |
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Televisions:
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67,600 (2000) |
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Internet country code:
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.mz |
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Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
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8 (2000) |
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Internet users:
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6,250
note: 150 corporate accounts and 6,100 individual accounts (2000) |
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Railways:
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total: 3,131 km
narrow gauge: 2,988 km 1.067-m gauge; 143 km 0.762-m gauge (1994) |
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Highways:
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total: 30,400 km
paved: 5,685 km
unpaved: 24,715 km (1996) |
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Waterways:
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3,750 km (navigable routes) |
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Pipelines:
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crude oil 306 km; petroleum products 289 km
note: not operating |
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Ports and harbors:
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Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba, Quelimane |
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Merchant marine:
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total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,125 GRT/7,024
DWT
ships by type: cargo 3 (2000 est.) |
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Airports:
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168 (2000 est.) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 22
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 5 (2000 est.) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 146
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 37
under 914 m: 92 (2000 est.) |
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Military branches:
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Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces, Militia |
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Military manpower - availability:
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males age 15-49: 4,627,052 (2001 est.) |
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Military manpower - fit for military service:
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males age 15-49: 2,670,933 (2001 est.) |
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Military expenditures - dollar figure:
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$35.1 million (2000 est.) |
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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1% (2000 est.) |
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Disputes - international:
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none |
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Illicit drugs:
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Southern African transit point for South Asian hashish, South Asian
heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis
(for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa) |
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