MOCAMBIQUE FACT SHEET
Covering an area of approximately 800,000 sq km, including about 1,300 sq km of inland lakes and rivers, Mocambique is home to about 18 million people. It is located on the East African coast, bordered by Tanzania to the north, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe and South Africa to the west, Swaziland to the south and by the Indian Ocean to the east. Mocambique is made up mainly of coastal lowlands, rising toward the west to a plateau ranging from 500 – 2000 feet above sea level, and on the western border to a higher plateau with mountains in the north reaching a height of over 8,000 ft. Its 1500 miles of coastline is almost double that of South Africas and much remains unexplored by tourists.
HISTORY
Mocambique’s first inhabitants were Bushmanoid hunters and gatherers, ancestors of the Khoisani peoples. Between the first and fourth centuries AD, waves of Bantu-speaking peoples migrated from the north through the Zambezi River Valley and then gradually into the plateau and coastal areas. Portuguese explorers reached Mocambique in 1498, but Arab trading settlements had already existed along the coast for several centuries. From about 1500, Portuguese trading posts and forts became regular ports of call on the new route to the east. Colonial development was slow as Lisbon devoted itself to the more lucrative trade with India and the Far East and to the colonization of Brazil.
In the early 20th century, administration was shifted to large private companies, mostly British, which established railroad lines to neighboring countries and supplied cheap – often forced – African labor to the mines and plantations of nearby British colonies. Little attention was paid to the development of Mocambique’s economic infrastructure until the last days of colonial rule.
The drive for independence developed along with several other African countries and in 1962 several anti-Portuguese political groups formed a united front and engaged in an armed campaign against the Portuguese colonial rule. Finally, after 10 years of sporadic warfare and major political change in Portugal, Mocambique became independent in June 1975. Civil war followed during several changes in power over the next 17 years. Finally, UN Peacekeeping forces successfully oversaw a cease fire in 1992 between warring factions and a two-year transition to multi-party elections. By mid-1995, over 1.7 million refugees who had sought asylum in neighboring countries, had returned to Mocambique as part of the largest repatriation witnessed in sub-Saharan Africa. Today Mocambique is peaceful and its economy is gradually recovering after 20 years of civil unrest, and 400 years of slavery and colonialism. It’s fast becoming a popular hot-spot travel destination!
ECONOMY
At independence, Mocambique’s economy was largely based on services and the export of cheap agricultural products to Portugal. With the exodus of 200,000 Portuguese in 1975, most of the country is entrepreneurial and technical skills were lost and a disruptive series of nationalization measures sapped the remaining vitality of the modern economy.
By 1980, the government finally succeeded in addressing the steep economic decline by implementing policy changes designed to bring the government budget under control, reform the monetary system and actively seek foreign investment.
About 85% of Mocambique’s population is engaged in agriculture mostly in subsistence farming, and agricultural development is one of the government’s top priorities. After sever decline in the 1980’s due to drought, lack of foreign exchange and transport difficulties, production has gradually increased. Cashews, tea, sugar and cotton are all important exports, along with fishing, especially shrimp. Transport services are one of the country’s largest foreign-exchange earners, and Mocambique has good ports in Maputo, Beira and Nacala. Each is linked by rail with one or more of the states bordering Mocambique, and an oil pipeline connects Beira to Zimbabwe.
Thanks to its wealth of natural beauty, wide empty beaches and warm clear waters, Mocambique is becoming a very popular destination to holiday makers. However, it is still recovering from the years of civil unrest and the tourist infrastructure is undergoing re-development. Hotels of international standards can now be found in the larger cities, such as Maputo and Beira and development is continuing throughout the country.
AREAS OF INTEREST
MAPUTO
Formerly the famed Lourenco Marques, the capital city of Maputo is an enchanting city of wide acacia-lined avenues and tall buildings overlooking the bay and the Indian Ocean. One of the city’s more fascinating features is a remarkable wealth of architecture, making it one of the most interest cities in Africa, and ideal for walking tours.
Points of particular interest include:
The cathedral with its magnificent stained-glass windows, the Casa de Ferro, a steel structure originally intended as a residence of the Governor General, and now housing the offices of the Department of Museums, the bronze statue of Samora Machel, Mocambique’s first president, the Botanical Gardens, the Louis Trichardt Trek Memorial, the Praca dos Trabalhadores (WW1 Monument), the Railway Station designed by Gustaf Eiffel, the Fortaleza, the Heroes Square and the Marginal, a palm-fringed beachfront avenue providing a stunning view of Maputo Bay. On a clear day, the island of Inhaca can be seen in the distance.
BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO
In the first national marine park declared in Mocambique lies an archipelago of offshore islands known as the Bazaruto Archipelago. It is a 64km long chain of four islands emerging out of the Mocambique Channel 600km north of Maputo. The four islands diminishing in size are Bazaruto, Benguerra, Santa Carolina (also known as Paradise Island) and Magaruque.
The archipelago is essentially a giant sand dune, and the incredible marine life is their greatest asset. The area is one of the best game fishing locations to be found anywhere in the world. Over 1000 fish species and an assortment of coral types inhabit the surrounding waters, making it a snorkeling and scuba diving paradise. An added bonus for divers is the warm water 23 degrees C in winter and up to 32C in summer. The Bazaruto Archipelago provides diverse habitats for the vast variety of birds and is an important stop-over for migrant bird species. Thousands of Palearctic migrants cram the shallow waters during the summer months, including waders, swallows, shrikes and warblers. It is also home to the illusive dugong, a marine mammal that is a close relative of the manatee.
INHACA ISLAND
Just 34kms from the mainland, this island is a wealth of breathtaking beaches, coral reefs and exotic marine life. On Inhaca, one can enjoy excellent scuba diving, snorkeling, big game fishing, spear fishing and sailing. A large part of this island is also protected as a wildlife refuge.
TOURIST INFORMATION
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
All visitors to Mocambique must have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity, and US and Canadian citizens require a visa obtainable upon entry for US $25 per person.
Anti-malaria tablets are recommended. Upon entry, visitors must exchange the equivalent of US $50 into local currency.
CURRENCY
100 Centavos equals 1 Metical. Coins: 1, 5, 10, 50 centavos and 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 meticals. Notes:
50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000 meticals. No restrictions on the import of foreign currencies but import and export of local currency is not allowed. Travelers checks are widely accepted and readily exchanged. Major hotels and some banks accept credit cards but a commission will be charged. Many up-market hotels insist on payment in foreign currency so a reasonable amount of cash on hand is advisable.
CLIMATE
Two main seasons, one wet and the other dry, divide the climatic year. The wet season from November to March, has monthly average temperatures of between 80-85 degrees F, with cooler temperatures in the interior uplands. The dry season lasts from April to October and has June and July temperatures averaging 65-70 degrees F.
There are three climatic zones: a rainy zone in the north and centre, a drier region in the southern half of the country and a relatively cool rainy zone in the plateau and mountainous areas.
SHOPPING HOURS
Monday-Friday from 8.30AM – noon and from 2 – 6pm. On Saturdays shops are generally open from 8.30am – 1.30pm, and then closed on Sundays.
LANGUAGE
The official language is Portuguese, while the local languages are mainly of Bantu origin. The four most widely spoken African languages are Tsonga, Sena, Nyanja and Macua. The most widely spoken foreign language is English.
TIPPING
For guideline purposes, gratuities of 15% of the net bill are appropriate.
TELEPHONE
When dialing direct to Mocambique, dial the appropriate international access code + 258 (country code) + city code + local number. Mocambique is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
VOLTAGE
220 volts AC, and plugs are of the international two-pin type.
EXIT REGULATIONS
There is a Departure Tax from the international airport of US $10 for flights within Southern Africa, and US $20 for all other international flights, payable in US dollars only.