Geography

Physical geography

Mozambique covers a total area of 786,300 square kilometres. Its long coastal strip has mangrove swamps and there are sandy plains in the south, which are as wide as 200 kilometres. The central plateau covers about 45% of the country and has savannah type vegetation. The mountainous area in the west covers about 13% of the land and includes Mount Binga, the highest peak at 2,436 metres. Two of Southern Africa’s longest rivers, the Zambezi and the Limpopo, flow through Mozambique providing fertile floodplains. Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa, forms part of the border with Malawi.

Climate

The climate ranges from tropical in the north to subtropical in the south. Temperatures away from the coast and in the higher regions are cooler. Summer (December to March) is the rainy season, when rainfall ranges from 1,420 mm in the north-west to 500 mm to 750 mm in the south-east.

Environment

Only 5.7% of the land area is arable and much of this is made unusable by landmines. Including the mangrove swamps, almost half of the country is forested. The Chimanimani Mountain range is of global significance for its plant biodiversity. Wildlife includes the blue Niassa wildebeest, Burchell’s zebra, elephants, buffalo, frigate birds, falcons, crocodiles, sea turtles and antelopes. Ivory poaching is threatening the small population of elephants.

The fortified Island of Mozambique, situated off the coast of the northern mainland is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Population

About one third of the population of almost 25 million lives in the rapidly growing urban areas. Maputo, the capital city, has a population of 1.5 million.

People

Culture and identity

Ethnic tribal groups make up 99% of the Mozambican population. Makua in the north, Sena and Ndau in the Zambezi valley, and Tsonga and Shangaan in the south are the dominant groups. Distinct languages, dialects and cultures distinguish each group. There are small populations of Europeans, Euro-Africans and Indians.

The sculpture of the Makonde people from the north is recognised as one of Africa’s most sophisticated art forms. They are also noted for their wind instruments, known as lupembe. In the south the Chope musicians play the marimba, a form of xylophone found throughout Southern Africa, and are famous for their marimba orchestras. Modern music using traditional rhythms flourishes in the cities.

There is a strong tradition of storytelling throughout Mozambique.

Health

The existing health conditions in Mozambique are unstable. There are few medical facilities. Life expectancy at birth is 52 years. HIV/AIDS has reached an epidemic level with 11% of the adult population living with the virus. The infant mortality rate is high with 72 in every 1,000 babies born dying before their first birthday. Only 49% of the population has access to safe drinking water and only 21% access to improved sanitation. The disparity between rural and urban communities is marked, with just 35% of the rural population having access to water and 11% to sanitation facilities, compared to 80% of urban population with access to safe water and 44% to sanitation facilities. There are high rates of water-related diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea and cholera.

Religion and beliefs

The Portuguese colonisers introduced Christianity and today about 25% of the population, predominantly in the urban areas, are Catholic. The Arab traders introduced Islam to those in the north and 18% of the population is Muslim.

The traditional animistic beliefs of the hunter-gatherer tribes are also followed by many of the population.

Food and shelter

Cornmeal, millet and rice are the staples, accompanied by spicy stews. Chopped peanuts, coconut, cucumber and bananas are served as side dishes.

Houses are built with local materials of wood, mud and bricks.

Economy

Wealth and poverty

Mozambique’s development has been hampered by natural disasters and civil war and it remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Most Mozambicans are subsistence farmers and about 55% of people live on less than US$1.25 a day. There are big disparities in income distribution and consumption. The wealthiest 10% of the population has 37% of income and consumption while the poorest 10% share just 2%.

Education and work

While most children enrol in primary school only 53% progress to secondary school. Only 56% of the population can read and only 1% is enrolled in tertiary education. Eighty-five per cent of the country’s labour force is employed.

Industries and products

The principal cash crops are cashews, sugarcane, cotton, copra, sunflowers, potatoes, coconuts, citrus and tropical fruits, beef, poultry and tea. The main industries are food processing, chemicals (fertiliser, soap, paints), aluminium and petroleum-product production, and textiles, cement, glass, asbestos and tobacco manufacture. Electricity from the Cabora Bassa hydroelectric project is exported to South Africa.

Trade

The Mozambique economy is heavily dependent on foreign aid. In 2013 Mozambique exported more than US$3.9 billion in aluminium, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber and electricity to South Africa (31%), Belgium (13%) and China (9%). In 2013 machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemicals, metals, food, and textiles were imported from South Africa (30%), China (12%) and India (11%).

Government

Shortly after Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975 it descended into a civil war that lasted until 1992. At the end of the war a new constitution was adopted and a multi-party democracy formed. Armando Guebuza was elected president for a second term in October 2009. Guebuza has championed foreign investment, which has contributed greatly to economic growth.

Achievements and challenges

Mozambique has experienced strong economic growth since the end of the civil war due to the government’s commitment to sound economic policy and post-conflict reconstruction. As a result, foreign investment in Mozambique has increased dramatically in recent years.

However, recurrent droughts in the south, and floods and coastal cyclones continue to threaten food production and deepen poverty.

Much of Mozambique’s recent development has focused around the Millennium Development Goals. While school attendance has improved and access to healthcare has increased, great disparities between the sexes and the rural and urban communities still need to be addressed.

Links with Australia

Mozambique is a long-standing recipient of Australian development assistance provided through partnership with regional and international organisations such as the World Bank. Australia has also provided humanitarian aid to Mozambique and worked to reduce its vulnerability to natural disasters.

In 2013 Australia exported mainly wheat to Mozambique.