Mozambique on Africa map
(all images are clickable)
On the map of Africa, Mozambique is hard to miss - it ranks 16th in the territorial ranking (total area - 801.6 thousand km²). The country shares land borders with Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi (to the north and northwest), Zimbabwe (to the west), South Africa, and tiny Swaziland (to the south). The entire eastern border (about three thousand kilometers) is the coast of the Indian Ocean.
Geographical position
Long coastline with big amount natural harbors - one of the main geographical advantages of Mozambique. The southern part of the state is continuous lowlands, swampy in places, but above the Zambezi River, moderately high plateaus and hilly plains interspersed with small mountain ranges prevail.
Not all of East Africa can boast of such reserves. fresh water like Mozambique. Six large rivers flow through its territory (from the west towards the ocean), and Lake Nyasa is located on the border with Malawi (in the northwestern part of the country).
The state is located in two climatic regions: subequatorial and tropical. The temperature throughout the year is quite stable: in the southern lowlands - from +25 to +30 ° C, in the region of the northern plateaus it is five degrees cooler.
The amount of precipitation depends on the season: from November to May, catastrophically powerful cyclones often fall on the coast, in winter (from June to October) there is practically no rain. At this time, Mozambique (like others from the list of countries in Africa) may suffer from a total drought.
Flora and fauna
In the south of the country, savannahs predominate, north of the Zambezi - tropical and mountain forests, as well as miombo - a special deciduous woodland. On the coast there are areas of mangroves, river beds are covered with a dense canopy of lianas. Here you can find ebony, mahogany and ironwood, date palms.
The abundance of suitable habitats attracts a wide variety of birds and animals. National parks have been created on the territory of the country, where rhinos, giraffes, hippos, elephants, zebras, leopards are found. Lions prey on ungulates in the savannah, monkeys and lemurs feel great in the forests. An amazing sawfish lives in coastal waters.
State structure
Mozambique Map
The republic of Mozambique is headed by a popularly elected president. The local unicameral parliament is represented mainly by two parties with real political weight.
The country is officially divided into eleven districts, each headed by a governor appointed by the president. The capital and largest city is Maputo, which arose on the site of a trading post founded by the Portuguese in the 18th century.
Population
If at the end of the 20th century there were 15 million citizens in the country, according to the census, today more than 25 million people live here. The reason is the high birth rate this indicator Mozambique ranks twelfth in the world). At the same time, life expectancy is low (on average, about 52 years).
The vast majority of citizens of Mozambique are descendants of the ancient aborigines. Asians and Europeans make up less than one percent. Official language- Portuguese, but the main part of the population in everyday life uses one of the local dialects.
Questions of faith in the state are extremely tolerant: the number of Catholics, Muslims, Protestants, atheists and followers of various national cults is approximately the same.
Economy
Despite deposits of demanded minerals (iron ore, gas, coal, non-ferrous metals, titanium), the state remains agrarian - about 80% of local residents work in the agricultural sector. The main income comes from the export of timber, seafood, cashews, sugar, cotton, citrus fruits.
At the same time, the country has a well-developed infrastructure: major cities are connected by local airlines, there is a network railways. Tourism is actively developing. IN Lately foreign companies are more willing to invest in the state economy, which, according to experts, has emerged from the depression.
Mozambique, which had been a Portuguese colony for several centuries, gained real independence only in 1975. Subsequently, a series of ill-conceived and unpopular reforms led to the collapse of the economy, mass emigration and many years of civil war with a huge number of human casualties (peace was achieved only in 1992). Today, the confrontation between the leading political parties persists, but it takes place in a civilized way - through electoral struggle.
Attractions
National parks and luxurious beaches are the main attractions of the state. In Maputo, tourists visit the Museum of Natural History with pleasure, and they go to Beira to stroll through the markets and small handicraft shops. Travelers are advised to visit the tiny island of Ile de Mozambique with its unique ancient architecture.
mozambique photo
Imagine a frozen ocean without a single wave, a huge moon illuminating everything around for kilometers, an endless deserted sandy beach, crowns of coconut palms and tens of thousands of sea crabs swarming in the shallows after low tide. These places are for connoisseurs of natural nature; evening dresses are not needed here as in Mauritius. But here it is easy to find a place for solitude, go behind a sand dune and be one on one with the ocean, sunbathe and swim. We will not even talk about fishing, diving and sea Mozambican cuisine. Marlin, sailfish and local king prawns are unbeatable.
Geographical position: Mozambique is located in southeast Africa opposite the island of Madagascar. In the north it borders with Tanzania, in the south and southwest - with South Africa and Swaziland, in the west - with Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Mozambique Channel. The territory of Mozambique extends along the coast of the Indian Ocean for about 3000 km. The coastline in the north is dissected by small bays, the shores are low, but rocky. To the south, the shores are low, swampy in places. There are natural harbors: Beira, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba. Two-fifths of the country's territory is occupied by coastal plains. There are several plateaus in the center of the country, reaching the highest point of 2436 m (Mount Binga) near the western border. The Namuli mountain range in the north of the country rises to 2419 m. In the northeast lies the Angonia plateau. In the northern - wider region lies the Mozambique Plateau, descending in steps to the east to a narrow coastal lowland (up to 30 km wide). To the south, the lowland expands to 400 km, occupying a total of 44% of the entire area of the country. The total area of the country is 802 thousand square meters. km.
Capital: Maputo. The largest city of Mozambique, located in the south of the country, on east coast Maputo Bay, at the mouth of the Tembe River. Major port on the Indian Ocean economic life concentrated in the harbor area. Officially, the population is about 1.3 million people, but in reality it significantly exceeds the indicated figure due to the large number of slums and other illegal buildings.
Language: Portuguese (official language). English is also used in communication (especially in the capital). The most commonly spoken local languages are Imakua, Chinyanja, Chishona and Shangaan.
Religion: According to the 1997 census, Mozambicans identify themselves as belonging to the following faiths: non-religious (maybe many in this group retain traditional beliefs) - 24.25%, Catholics - 24.2%, Muslims - 17.8%, non-Catholic Christians (mostly Protestants) - 11.45%; (Assemblies of God, Methodists, Anglicans, Nazarenes, Adventists), syncretic cults (a mixture of different religions, for example, combining elements of Christianity and traditional African beliefs) - 18.7%, others - 3.6%.
Time: The time difference in Mozambique is -2 hours (relative to Moscow time). The entire territory of the country is in the same time zone. The country does not implement summer/winter time, so the time difference remains the same throughout the year.
Climate: The climate of Mozambique in the north is close to equatorial (+25-28 C, precipitation 1300-1500 mm per year), in the south - tropical trade winds (+20-22 C, precipitation 500-1000 mm per year). The wet season lasts from November to April-May. Droughts and destructive tropical cyclones are frequent. The best time to visit the country is from May to November, during the cooler and less rainy winter months. You can also travel during the rainy season, but closer to March, some roads are heavily washed out, especially in the center and south of the country. To watch wild animals in Mozambique come in August-September, for birds - from December to April.
Currency: Metical (MZN), equal to 100 centavos. In circulation there are denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 meticals, as well as coins of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos and 1, 2, 5 and 10 meticals. $1 is equal to approximately 30 meticals. It is better to change money in private exchange offices in Maputo (better rate) or in banks (safer, high commission). You should forget about exchanging money on the street right away - it is extremely unsafe. The use of credit cards and traveler's checks is difficult throughout the country, and even impossible in the provinces. Banking hours: Mon-Fri 7:30-11:15 and 15:00-16:30. Almost all shops and souvenir shops are happy to accept not only the national currency, but also US dollars and South African rands (in the south they are especially loved).
Mains voltage and socket type: 220/240 V, frequency alternating current- 50 Hz; plug sockets usually have two sockets (European standard, an adapter is not needed), but three sockets can also be found (an adapter for Russian plugs is needed).
Customs: The import of foreign currency into Mozambique is not limited (the declaration is required for amounts over 5 thousand US dollars). Import and export of the national currency is prohibited. Duty-free import is allowed: cigarettes - up to 400 pieces, or cigars - 50 pieces, or tobacco - 250 g, wine - up to 5 liters, spirits - up to 1 liter, perfumes and medicines - within the limits of personal needs, new goods on no more than 100 US dollars. It is forbidden to import drugs, weapons and ammunition for them, pyrotechnics, gold, platinum and silver in bars, plates or coins without the permission of the country's bank, artisanal liquor, as well as photographs, graphics, printed materials and video materials "obscene content or directed against the Republic of Mozambique or the dignity of the Mozambican people".
The export of ivory and ivory products, food products is prohibited if the conditions for their storage are not provided along the route.
Population and culture: The population of Mozambique in 2007 was 20,366,795. The country's population is unevenly distributed. Most of the population lives in coastal areas, along the Zambezi River and on the Angonia Plateau. 98% of the population of Mozambique are peoples of the Bantu language family. The most numerous people are the Makua people (more than 50%) living in the north of the country. In the south, on the border with South Africa, the Tsonga (about 25%) are settled. Malawi (about 13%) and Yao (more than 3%) live along Lake Nyasa, in the center - Shona (about 6%), in the northeast - Makonde. There are also Swahili, Zulu, which are much smaller in number. The country is inhabited by immigrants from Asia (Indians make up 0.08% of the population), as well as mulattos. The number of people of European nationality has greatly decreased (from 2% to 0.06%) after Mozambique gained independence. Ethnic composition: blacks 99.66%, mulattoes 0.2%, Indians 0.08%, whites 0.06%.
Due to the large number of different ethnic groups living in the country, the culture of Mozambique has developed over time into a very rich and diverse one. Many of the rituals, customs, and traditions of the peoples of Mozambique originated from different tribes and religions. Traditionally, the peoples of Mozambique believed in animism, so appropriate animistic rituals are practiced in the country. Wood carving and sculpture making are the two main traditional forms art in Mozambique. They are especially practiced among the Makonde peoples. Another popular art form is the making of masks called "family trees". Music and dances are part of the rituals of the peoples of the country. In particular, animistic rituals are accompanied by music and dance. Portuguese music has left a strong mark on the country's folk music. A very popular musical form is the marrabenta, which is mainly dance music.
Kitchen: The Portuguese left a mark not only in the culture and religion of the country, but also in the national cuisine of Mozambique. Mixed with traditional African dishes, it is quite a mouth-watering and tempting concoction, especially on the fish menu. It is worth trying Piri-Piri sauce - the African analogue of the hottest chili. Paozinho are pork or beef rolls served with semi-sweet bread. Matapa is a fish dish, usually crab or shrimp, cooked with Casave leaves and rice. Camarao National shrimp marinated in piri-piri sauce, garlic, onion, lemon and vinegar. And finally, kakana (Kakana) is a bitter local vegetable. Another local dish is goulash, which is made with broken dried fish fried in oil and mixed with chicken, potatoes, onions, chili and water.
Popular local beers are 2M (pronounced "doish-em"), Laurentina Clara and Manica, as well as varieties from neighboring African countries: Castle or Windhoek. Strong alcohol, like gin or vodka, is inexpensive and sold everywhere. You can try the local vodka porridge (cashu), which is made from cashews, has a sour taste and is said to have a good effect on male libido.
Tips: In Mozambique, it is customary to tip at a restaurant about 10% of the total order. Porters are given a "tip" of about 0.5 USD per piece of luggage, driver or guide: 1-2 USD per day.
Souvenirs: In local markets you can buy all kinds of crafts: female and male figures and sculptural groups made from a single piece of wood, ritual wands with anthropomorphic heads, spoons decorated with ornamental carvings and human figures, elegant clay vessels with a white ornament in the form of a zigzag ribbon, smoking pipes , mitete - boxes for medicinal potions and tobacco with stylized drawings on the lid and mortars with carved figures of a person, intended for grinding potions. Also interesting are the wooden carved headrests of the karanga and the famous ceramics of the Shona people - huge vessels for storing water or grain, covered with pieces of clay and resembling boulder stones. In Mozambique, everything that does not have a price tag is subject to bargaining. It should also be borne in mind that, with the exception of large shops and hotels, no one will give change to a tourist from a banknote of 500 MZN and above. So it is worth changing small money in banks or exchangers in advance.
Air travel: Most international flights to Mozambique connect at Johannesburg Airport (South Africa), although there are direct flights from Maputo to Swaziland and Zimbabwe, as well as to Tanzania, Kenya and Portugal. For example, Kenya Airways, Swazi Express Airways and TAP Portugal fly directly to Maputo from Durban, Swaziland, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Nairobi and Lisbon. It is most convenient for Russians to get here by Qatar Airways (via Doha) or Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) to Johannesburg, and from there by South African Airways or Linhas Aereas de Mocambique to Maputo. South African Airways and Linhas Aereas de Mocambique fly to Pemba several times a day from Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam and Nairobi.
The Republic of Mozambique is a state in southeastern Africa. The capital is Maputo (1.2 million people - 2003). Territory - 799.38 thousand square meters. km. Administrative-territorial division - 11 provinces. Population - 18.8 million people. (2003). The official language is Portuguese. Religion - traditional African beliefs, Christianity and Islam. The monetary unit is metical. National holiday - June 25 - Independence Day (1975). Mozambique is a member of the UN since 1975, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1975 and the African Union (AU) since 2002, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and South Africa(COMESA), the Commonwealth (an association of countries that were part of the British Empire) since 1995, the Indian Ocean Association for Regional Cooperation (ARSIO) since 1997 and the Community of Portuguese-Speaking States (PALOP) since 1996.
Capital Maputo
Population - 18.81 million people (2004). Density - 19 people per 1 sq. km. Urban population- 30%, rural - 70%. Area - 799,379 sq. km. The highest point is Mount Binga (2437 m). The official language is Portuguese. Main religions: traditional local beliefs, Catholicism, Islam. Administrative-territorial division - 11 provinces, including the capital. The monetary unit is metical. Public holiday: Independence Day - 25 June.
Geographic location and boundaries
A continental state, the eastern part of which is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean: the territory is stretched from north to south for 1850 km, and the northern part is divided into two large regions by the Malawi enclave deeply penetrating into the country. It borders Tanzania to the north, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi to the west, Swaziland to the southwest and South Africa to the south. The length of the coastline is 2470 km.
Nature
45% of the territory is occupied by the coastal lowland. Low mountains (10% of the territory) are located in the northwest. The highest point is Mt. Binga (2437 m). Deposits of lithium, niobium, tantalum, thorium, uranium and zirconium are of world importance. Minerals - iron, granite, copper, marble, natural gas, bauxite, graphite, gold, tin, silver, coal, as well as precious and semi-precious stones - aquamarines, beryls, garnets, emeralds, topazes.
The climate of the northern regions is subequatorial, monsoon, and the central and southern regions are tropical trade winds. Two seasons: wet (summer - November-March) and dry (winter - June-October). Average annual air temperatures are +22°–27° С, in mountainous areas - +18°. Precipitation falls in the form of tropical downpours and floods occur. 2/3 of the territory receives less than 1000 mm of precipitation per year, and is subject to regular droughts (3 out of 10 years are dry). The mountains receive more than 1000 mm of precipitation per year. The country is covered with a dense network of rivers flowing into the Indian Ocean: Zambezi, Inkomati, Ligonya, Limpopo, Lurio, Ruvuma, Savi, etc. The largest of them is the Zambezi River. 460 km of its channel in Mozambique (out of 850 km) are navigable. In winter, most rivers become shallow. In addition to the natural freshwater Lake Nyasa, there are no large lakes. During the rainy season, seasonal lakes - pans - are formed. 2% of the territory is occupied by swamps.
OK. 2/3 of the territory is covered with light tropical miombo forests and savannahs. Miombos are common in the north and consist of 80% brachystegia trees (deciduous from the legume family), there are also berlinia, combretum, lianas and yulbernardia (acacia). In the river valleys, iron, red, rose and ebony trees, palm trees (Guinean, fan, raffia, date) and silk acacia grow, and in the mountains - brown mahogany and mahogany, Mlangian cedar and podocarpus (yellow tree). Mangrove forests are located in the estuaries and on the coast. Tall-grass savannas with low-growing trees (acacia, baobab, bauhinya, kaffra, sausage tree (kigelia), sclerocaria, terminalia) predominate in the center and south. Acacias and mopanes, broad-leaved trees from the legume family, grow in arid areas.
The fauna is extremely rich, especially the world of birds - doves, marabou, parrots, owls, ostriches, weavers, toucans, hoopoes, herons and hawks. Large mammals (buffaloes, giraffes, wild boars, rhinos and elephants) live mainly in national parks. Antelopes, hippos, viverras, wolves, hyenas, wild goats, zebras, crocodiles, lemurs, leopards, lions, monkeys and jackals are common. Lots of reptiles (cobras, pythons, horned snakes, turtles and lizards) and insects. Coastal waters are rich in fish (swordfish, sawfish, sardines, tuna), shrimps and lobsters.
Population
The average population density is 22.6 people. per 1 sq. km, the average annual increase is 1.22%. Birth rate - 36.1, mortality - 23.9 per 1000 people. Infant mortality - 137.1 per 1000 newborns. 43.6% of the population are children under 14 years of age. Residents who have reached the age of 65 make up only 2.8%. Life expectancy - 37.1 years (men - 37.8, women - 36.3). The vast majority of the population qualifies as poor. (All figures are current as of 2004). The able-bodied population is 9.2 million people. (2000). According to the United Nations report on the human development of the planet (2004), Mozambique is in 171st place in the ranking of countries (out of 11 African countries making the list, it ranks 5th).
Mozambique is a multi-ethnic state (50 ethnic groups). The current composition of the population is the result of numerous migrations of African peoples, colonial activities (mainly Portuguese) and trading activities of Arabs and Indians. 99.66% of the population are peoples belonging to language family Bantu. The largest groups of people living in the northeast are Makua (Lomwe, Lolo, Makua, Mato, Mihavani, Nguru, etc.) and Tsonga (Bila, Jonga, Ronga, Tswa, Shangaan, Shengwe, Shona, etc., inhabit southern provinces), making up respectively approx. 40 and 23% of the population. Other ethnic groups include Makonde, Malawi (Nyanja, Pozo, Tumbuka, Chwambo, Cheva, Chipeta, etc. - approx. 11%), Swahili, Tonga, Chopi, Yao, etc. ethnic composition The population differs the southern provinces. The administrative apparatus is traditionally formed mainly from southerners (which causes discontent among the inhabitants of the northern provinces), since most of the literate and educated population is concentrated in the south. After the declaration of independence, the majority of the European population left the country. Europeans (about 20 thousand people - 0.06%) and people from Asian countries (Indians, Pakistanis - 0.08%) live mainly in cities. Creoles (descendants of mixed marriages of Portuguese and other European settlers with Africans) make up 0.2%. In addition to Portuguese, English is also used (especially in the capital). The most commonly spoken local languages are Imakua (Makua), Chinyangja (Malawi), Chishona (Shona), and Shangaan (Tsonga).
The rural population of the country is approx. 80% (2003). Big cities- Maputo, Beira (488 thousand people), Matola (440.9 thousand people), Nampula (305 thousand people) and Xai-Xai (263 thousand people) - 1997. At the end of 19 and on throughout much of the 20th century. the country was an active supplier of labor resources to the countries of South Africa (one third of the male population of the southern provinces was annually sent to work in South Africa). 180 thousand Mozambican refugees (out of 320 thousand people forced to flee from the civil war and famine) became permanent residents of South Africa, 30 thousand people. repatriated to their homeland.
State structure
Presidential republic. First constitution independent state adopted in June 1975. Until November 1990, the country was called " People's Republic Mozambique". The constitution adopted on November 30, 1990, as amended in 1996, is in force. The head of state and commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces is the president, who is elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of five years. The President may serve no more than two terms. Legislative power is exercised by a unicameral parliament (the Assembly of the Republic, consisting of 200 to 250 deputies), which is elected in a general election by direct secret ballot for a five-year term. The President has the right to dissolve Parliament before the expiration of his term of office. Presidential and parliamentary elections are held simultaneously.
President - Chissano Joaquim Alberto (Joaquim Alberto Chissano). He has been the head of state since November 1986. Re-elected December 3–5, 1999.
State flag
Rectangular panel, on the left side of which there is a red triangle. The triangle depicts a yellow star, overlaid with an open white book and a crossed black rifle and hoe. The rest of the cloth is occupied by three horizontal stripes of the same width of green, black and yellow (the black one is separated from the other two by narrow white stripes).
Judicial system
It is based on the civil code of Portugal and the constitution of Mozambique 1990, as amended in 1996. There are administrative, civil and traditional courts, military and maritime tribunals, as well as labor courts. The highest court of appeal is the Supreme Court.
Defense
The armed forces were formed after independence on the basis of disparate partisan detachments. According to the ceasefire agreement concluded in 1994 between the government and the MNF, it was planned to merge the opposing armed forces into a single army of 30 thousand people. In addition to the ground forces (10 thousand people), the country has a navy (150 people) and an air force (1 thousand people) - 2002. In 1997, compulsory military service was reintroduced, which was canceled in 1994. In June 2004 on the territory of the country, as part of the training of regional peacekeeping forces, joint exercises of African and French troops were held.
Foreign policy
One of its basic principles is non-alignment with blocs and military groups. Within the framework of the international regional organization ARSIO, the country is making efforts to turn the Indian Ocean into a zone of peace (one of the ARSIO conferences was held in Maputo (1999)). It maintains relations with the Portuguese-speaking countries of Africa as part of the PALOP organization (it is often called the “Luzofonian Commonwealth”) and the PRC, which has been providing assistance to Mozambique for a long time. He is a member of the international committee for monitoring the transition period in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the 1980s, relations with Malawi were complicated (established in 1981) due to the deployment of anti-government Mozambican National Resistance bases on its territory. Together with Benin, Ghana, Malawi, Mali and Uganda, Mozambique is participating in the African Crisis Response Force (ACRF) program.
Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Mozambique were established on June 25, 1975. On March 31, 1977, the parties signed an agreement on friendship and cooperation. Soviet Union provided significant assistance in the organization of health care and the training of national personnel, provided the national liberation organization FRELIMO with food, medicine and military assistance. In December 1991, the Russian Federation was recognized as the legal successor of the USSR. Russia supported in the UN Security Council the decision to conduct a peacekeeping operation in Mozambique in 1992. In 1997, government and parliamentary delegations from Mozambique visited Moscow. In March 2000, Russia sent a cargo of humanitarian aid to the population of Mozambique affected by the floods. New agreements are being prepared in the field of improving the legal framework of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique in the Russian Federation - Moscow, st. Gilyarovsky, 20. Tel. (095) 284-40-07. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Mozambique to Russian Federation– Mr. Sherinda Bernardo Marcelino (since 2004).
Economy
Mozambique is an agricultural country. One of the poorest countries in the world, however, is seen as a developing country with a dynamic economy.
The share of agriculture in GDP is 22% (2001). The increase in agricultural production averages 6.2% (in 1998 - 8%). One of the few African countries in which there is no "land hunger": fertile land is 36 million hectares, but only 5.4 million hectares (15%) are cultivated. The economic development of new lands is complicated by the danger of numerous mines left after the civil war. Irrigated lands occupy an area of 120 thousand hectares. The share of agricultural products in exports is approx. 25%. The main food crops are corn (70% of all cereals) and cassava (cassava). They grow oranges, peanuts, bananas, melons, legumes, potatoes, coconuts, sesame, mangoes, cashews and cola nuts, papaya, sunflowers, rice, sugar cane, sisal, sorghum, tobacco, cotton and tea. Animal husbandry (cattle, goats, pigs and sheep) is concentrated in the southern provinces, where tsetse is not common. Most farms raise chickens. Fisheries have developed rapidly since the 1990s, mainly shrimp, sharks, crayfish and lobsters. Growth in fisheries in con. 1990s was up to 30.5% annually. Experts believe that up to 500,000 tons of fish and 14,000 tons of shrimp can be caught annually in the Mozambique maritime economic zone. In 1999, Japan allocated $3.4 million to modernize the fishing port in Maputo, including the installation of large cold stores. The development of forestry is greatly damaged by predatory felling and smuggling of valuable tree species abroad.
Industry
Since 1993, the government has begun to create an industrial infrastructure based on the privatization of enterprises, price liberalization and foreign direct investment. share industrial products in GDP increased from 15% in 1993 to 23% in 2001. The mining industry as a whole is in a chronic decline. During the civil war, most of the mines and mines were closed and flooded. The extraction and transportation of minerals directly depend on the restoration of the railway network. Mainly deposits of natural gas, bauxite, iron and tantalum ore, and also coal are being developed. A private Israeli company mines emeralds and garnets. Established joint mining ventures with Australia, Ireland and Italy. American, German, French and South African companies are involved in the exploration of oil fields on land and offshore Mozambique.
The manufacturing industry is based on the processing of agricultural raw materials and is represented by flour mills and soap factories, enterprises for cleaning cashew nuts and producing vegetable oil (25,000 tons annually). After many years of stagnation, the sugar industry is reviving: a large sugar factory in the province of Sofala has been restored, with the participation of Mauritian companies, three more factories are being restored. In 2002, 60 thousand tons of sugar were produced. After 1993, an aluminum plant, an oil refinery with a capacity of 100 thousand barrels of products per day in Beira, a gas and two breweries, small enterprises for the production of automobile tires, paper, railway cars and glass were built. There is a cement plant, ceramic workshops, factories for the production of plastic products, fertilizers and building materials. Many enterprises operate at 50% of their capacity. In 2000, a Fiat car assembly plant began to operate. Clothing production is developing, mainly due to the increase in the number of workshops owned by Mauritian owners, who use the cheaper labor of local workers in labor-intensive production.
International trade
Imports greatly exceed exports. In 2003, imports amounted to 1.14 billion US dollars, and exports - 795 million US dollars (in 2002 - 680 million US dollars). The main export commodities are aluminum, copra (dried coconut kernel, from which coconut oil is obtained by hot pressing, used to make the best grades of toilet soap, as well as cosmetic products), timber and construction timber, seafood (mainly shrimp), cashew nuts , sugar, cotton and electricity. Main export partners: Belgium (42.4%), South Africa (17.6%), Zimbabwe (5.7%), Spain (5.4%) and Portugal (4.4%) - 2002. Main imports : paper, machinery and equipment, metal products, beverages, oil and oil products, food products, textiles, fuels, vehicles and chemicals. Main import partners: South Africa (30.4%), Portugal (6.1%), USA (5.2%), India (4.2%) and Australia (4.1%) - 2002.
Energy
97.1% of electricity is generated at hydroelectric power stations, 2.9% - at thermal power plants (Maputo) due to the use of coal imported from South Africa and petroleum products as fuel (2001). The basis of the energy system is the Cabora Bassa hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 2075 megawatts, built on the Zambezi River (Tete province). Residents of rural areas use firewood and charcoal for cooking (about 400 thousand tons annually). Mozambique exports electricity to neighboring Zimbabwe and South Africa. A large-scale project is under way to link the electricity distribution networks of Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania.
Transport.
Railway communication systems, highways, maritime and air transport created during the colonial period. The main transport routes provide transit transportation of goods between the ports of Mozambique and neighboring countries - Zimbabwe, Malawi, Swaziland, Tanzania and South Africa. Huge damage transport system the country was caused by an almost 18-year civil war and a catastrophic flood in 2000. Significant foreign aid is received for the restoration of the railways. The total length of railways in 2002 was 3123 km. Railway lines connect Maputo with Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa, Beira with Zimbabwe and Nakalu with Malawi. As a result of a long civil war, the road network was almost completely destroyed. In 1993-1998, a 5-year plan for the restoration of destroyed roads was implemented, the funds for which were allocated mainly by the World Bank: 11 thousand km of roads were restored and 13 thousand km were repaired, and a hard surface was made on 3 thousand km. In 1999, the total length of roads was 30.4 thousand km (with hard surface - 5685 km). There are few roads in the northern provinces. Most dirt roads are washed out during the wet season.
The main seaports are Beira, Quelimane, Maputo and Nacala. In January 2004, work was completed on the modernization (in particular, deepening) of the port of Maputo. Work continues to restore the port of Beira. Navigation is hampered by coral reefs. In 2000, the government concessioned to foreign consortiums (mostly South African) the management of the port of Maputo and the railway from Malawi to the port of Nacala. 158 airports and runways (22 of them with hard surface) - 2003. 3 airports have international status - in the cities of Beira, Maputo and Nacala. In 1976, a direct air connection between Moscow and Maputo was established and operated for several years. The oil pipeline Mutare (Zimbabwe) - Beira passes through the territory of Mozambique.
Finance and credit
The monetary unit is the metical (MZM), which consists of 100 centavu. The inflation rate is 15.2% (end of 2002). In December 2003, the national currency rate was: 1 USD = 23782.3 MZM.
Administrative unit
The country is divided into 11 provinces, which consist of their districts. The provinces are headed by governors appointed by the president.
Political organizations
A multi-party system has developed (about 30 political parties). The most influential of them: Frelimo Party (Partido Frelimo), chairman - Chissano Joaquim Alberto (Joaquim Alberto Chissano), general secretary - Gebuza Armando (Armando Gebuza). The ruling party, created in February 1977 on the basis of the mass political organization FRELIMO ("Front for the Liberation of Mozambique"); Mozambican National Resistance, Resistência Nacional Moçambicana, RENAMO, chaired by Afonso Dhlakama and general secretary by Viano Magalaes. The party was established as an opposition movement in 1976, received party status in August 1994; Liberal Democratic Party of Mozambique (Partido Liberal e Democrático de Moçambique), founded in 1993, chairman - M. Bilal; Party of Labor (Partido do Trabalho), established in 1993, president - M. Mabote; Social Liberal Democratic Party (Partido Social, Liberal e Democrático), leader - K. Nkhamithambo; Democratic Union, DS (Uniăo Democrático). Founded in 1994, general secretary - J.Massinga.
Trade union associations
Workers' Organization of Mozambique, OTM (Organização dos Trabalhadores de Moçambique, OTM). Created in October-November 1983, it has 200,000 members. The General Secretary is Joaquim Fanheiro.
Religions
OK. 50% of the indigenous population adhere to traditional beliefs and cults (animalism, fetishism, the cult of ancestors and forces of nature, etc.), 30% (5 million people) profess Christianity, 20% (4 million people) are Sunni Muslims and Shiites. A small (several thousand people) Hindu community consists of people from the Hindustan Peninsula, who live mainly in the city of Maputo and port cities. There are also several Afro-Christian churches. Christianity began to spread in con. 15th c. Catholics predominate among Christians. The Muslim community includes the Comorians, Pakistanis living in the country, as well as part of the Indians and Mauritians.
Education.
Officially (since 1983) seven-year primary education, divided into two stages, is compulsory. Due to insufficient funding, lack of school facilities and teachers, only approx. 40% of children. Secondary education (5 years) also takes place in two stages. Teaching in schools is conducted in Portuguese and English. In 1962, the E. Mondlane State University was opened in Maputo. In 2003, the Faculty of Architecture, Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Economics, Law, and the Faculty of Arts had 712 teachers and 7,000 students. Teaching is conducted on Portuguese. The system of higher education includes two more universities. There are 32 technical colleges. Before independence, 95% of the population was illiterate. The elimination of illiteracy among adults has become the main focus of the education system. In con. 1990s illiterate were approx. 60% of citizens, in 2003 - 52.2% (36.5% of men and 67.3% of women).
Healthcare.
The main health problems are associated with the extremely low standard of living of the overwhelming population of the country. Chronic malnutrition and hunger create favorable conditions for the spread of infectious diseases. Tropical diseases (malaria, leprosy, schistosomiasis, etc.) are widespread. During periods of frequent droughts, epidemics of dysentery break out, as part of the population lives in areas not provided with running water and sewerage (in 2000, 60% of the population had access to clean water). Harmful insects, including mosquitoes and malarial mosquitoes, pose a danger to human health.
The problem of AIDS is acute. In 2001, 60 thousand people died from it, there were 1.1 million HIV-infected people. Mozambique is one of the 9 African countries with the largest number children infected with AIDS (out of 10 such countries in the world). Through the US government-funded LIFE program (Leadership and Investment in Fighting the Epidemic), the country (among other 12 African countries) has received additional funding to fight AIDS. In January 2004, a cholera outbreak was registered in Maputo. At the initiative of the WHO, in the same month, the world's first mass vaccination against cholera was carried out in Beira.
Press, radio broadcasting, television and the Internet.
Published in Portuguese: daily newspapers Diário de Moçambique (Daily Mozambique), Noticias (News), monthly newspapers Vanguarda (Vanguarda - Avangard) - print organ Frelimo Central Committee, "Campo" (Campo - "Niva") and the bulletin "Boletin da Selula" (Boletim da Célula - "Bulletin of the Party Cell") - the press organ of the Central Committee of Frelimo, the Sunday newspaper "Domingo" (Domingo - "Sunday"), magazines "Tempu" (Tempo - "Time") and "Leader yes revolution" (Vóz da Revoluçao - "Voice of the Revolution") - the press organ of the Central Committee of Frelimo, as well as the trade union bulletin "Trabalhador" (Trabalhador - "Worker"). Mozambique Government News Agency AIM (Agência de Informação de Moçambique, AIM) was established in 1975. It publishes monthly bulletins in English, Portuguese and French. Government television and radio broadcasting have been operating since 1981 and 1975, respectively. Radio broadcasting covers 70% of the country's territory, broadcasts are conducted in Portuguese and local languages. In 2002 there were 30 thousand Internet users. There is an official government website.
Mozambique has significant potential for the development of the tourism business: the sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean, high average annual air and water temperatures, the picturesque island of Nyasa, a variety of animals and flora, extensive hunting grounds and conditions for deep-sea hunting for exotic fish (marlin, etc.). The best time to travel is July-September.
Tourism has become an important sector of the economy and a sphere of foreign investment since the colonial period. In 1972 there were approx. 300 hotels, motels and boarding houses (mainly in the cities of Lourenco Marches (Maputo) and Beira). In 1971, 583,300 tourists visited the country, 80% of whom were white residents of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia. After the declaration of independence, the tourism industry to the beginning. The 1980s fell into disrepair due to the cessation of the flow of tourists. Its revival and rapid development began in 1992. In 1996, investments in tourism amounted to 60 million US dollars, and the number of foreign tourists reached 550 thousand people. (mainly from South Africa). An EU-funded tourism master plan for Mozambique is being developed by experts from Denmark. In 2001, the country was visited by 483.7 thousand tourists from South Africa, Portugal and Switzerland. In 2002, there were 45 hotels (4129 beds), which are located mainly in Maputo and its satellite town of Matola, as well as in the tourist centers of the cities of Ignassor and Vilankulu.
Ministry of Tourism (established in 1999) great importance restoration of national parks destroyed during the civil war, as safaris are one of the main components of tours to Mozambique, and cases of attacks on people by wild animals have become more frequent (in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, repeated cases of attacks by lions have been recorded, which led to the death of people). restored national park Gorongoza, reserves and reserves are being created in the province of Maputo. To increase the population of elephants (in 1979 there were about 7 thousand, in 2001 - only 111), they are imported from Botswana. The SADC project is being implemented to create a transnational park Limpopo with an area of 35 thousand square meters. km, which will unite the Kruger National Park (South Africa), the Gonareju (Zimbabwe) and Limpopo (Mozambique) parks. In April 2002, the official opening of the park took place.
Sights in Maputo: Museum of National Art, Museum of Ethnography and Natural History (founded in 1911), a botanical garden, as well as a railway station similar to a palace, built according to the project of the famous Eiffel in the beginning. 20th century Particularly attracts foreign tourists is the small island of Mozambique, located at a distance of 3 km from the mainland. Its northern part, which contains mosques and Hindu temples, as well as the palace and chapel of Sao Paulo (18th century), is named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the territory of Mozambique (as well as in Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa) there are round or elliptical ruins of ancient massive stone structures, the origin and purpose of which are still a mystery. Moscow travel agencies offer tours to the Republic of South Africa (at a price of 3064 USD), the excursion program of which is called "African fairy tale" and includes a visit to the unique Mozambique archipelago-reserve Bazaruto, surrounded by coral reefs.
Visa regime. A vaccination certificate is not required. The import of foreign currency is not limited, the presence of a declaration is required. The import and export of the currency of Mozambique, the export of ivory and products made from it are prohibited. You can pay for most purchases and services (especially in the southern provinces), in addition to the local currency, in US dollars and South African rands. Credit cards and travelers checks are practically not accepted. There are no restrictions on movement around the country, but tourists are not guaranteed safety if they deviate from the route without being accompanied by local residents (after the war, many mines remained uncleared).
Architecture.
The folk dwelling of the Makonde people is a round or rectangular building, the walls of which are built from thick poles smeared with red or gray clay. The roof - two or four slopes, or in the form of a sloping dome - is covered with reeds. Its overhang forms a small veranda. The adobe huts of the Shona people are round in shape. The foundation is made of flat granite slabs - finished natural building material. The floor is laid from the same slabs or poured with a dago - a kind of natural cement, formed during the rainy season as a result of mixing granite sand and clay. A conical thatch/thatch roof or a grass bowl roof is supported by a pole mounted in the center of the hut. Its windows are decorated with ornamental patterns, the walls are often painted with genre scenes or images of animals. The tradition of coating the walls of huts with pieces of clay made them look like huge boulders, which often saved the villages of the Shona people from the attack of the colonialists. Among the Sen people, rectangular houses are often built on wooden piles. Modern houses in cities are built of brick and reinforced concrete structures.
Fine Arts and Crafts.
Fine art originates long before our era: complexes of rock carvings made with mineral paints of red and yellow color were found in the end. 19th–1st floor. 20th century on the banks of the Zambezi River (Tete Province) and on the slopes of Mount Vumba. The drawings date back to 8-5 thousand BC. and are close to nature or schematic representations of people and animals.
Unlike the countries of East and South Africa, where masks and wooden sculpture occupy an insignificant place in traditional artistic culture, these types of African art are well developed in Mozambique. Of particular interest is the wooden sculpture of the Makonde people (female and male figures and sculptural groups made from a single piece of wood), as well as ritual wands with anthropomorphic heads, spoons decorated with ornamental carvings and human figures, elegant clay vessels with a white ornament in the form of a zigzag ribbon , smoking pipes, mitete - boxes for medicinal potions and tobacco with stylized drawings on the lid and mortars with carved figures of a person, intended for grinding potions. Also interesting are the wooden carved headrests of the karanga and the famous ceramics of the Shona people - huge vessels for storing water or grain, covered with pieces of clay and resembling boulder stones.
The National School of Painting began to take shape in the 1940s. Bertina Lopis is considered the first professional artist. In 1981, the exhibition "Artists of Mozambique" was held in Moscow. Artists – V.N.Malangatana, E.Mukavele, A.Mulanga, A.Mutemba, S.Kossa, J.Tinga, R.Chigorro. Sculptors – F.Zanla, N.Langa, M.O.Magana, D.Malate, A.Mussico, T.Maucha, A.Chissano. In January 2002, an exhibition of works by contemporary sculptors from Mozambique under the motto "Swords on plowshares" was successfully held in London. Among the works, the works of Gonzalo Mabundo stood out, who used parts of real weapons in his compositions.
Artistic crafts are widespread - weaving baskets and mats from twigs dyed with red and black paints, as well as bowls decorated with cowrie shells and multi-colored beads. Of interest are calabash - vessels for wine with a burnt or carved ornament, made of pumpkin, as well as ceramic dishes, decorated with a painted or extruded ornament. Swahili arts and crafts stand out, including woodcarving, which is used to decorate house doors, furniture and utensils. In con. 19 - beg. 20th century Makonde craftsmen began to produce figurines of dancers for sale (realistic, up to 50 cm high). Mass production of wooden figures of people and animals for sale to foreign tourists is common in port cities and tourist centers.
Literature.
It develops mainly in Portuguese, some prose writers and poets in recent decades have also written their works in the local languages of the Bantu group. There are few written monuments of traditional culture. Nevertheless, oral folk art to a large extent influences the work of writers and poets. The development of national literature began with the publication in the beginning. 20th century the first collections of poetry and the development of journalism. One of the first poets is R. di Noronha. The founders of Mozambican literature are considered to be the journalist E. Dias and the Albazini brothers, who in 1918 founded the weekly Bradu Africanu (The African Cry). Developed since the 1920s fiction, in which pro-colonial (R. Junior, B. Kamashu) and anti-colonial trends (J. Albazini, author of the book The Book of Sorrow (1925)) stood out. The first work of a Mozambican writer of African origin is a collection of stories by Godido J. Dias, published in 1952. The first novelist was the Portuguese sociologist and journalist R. Junior (Seura, Bely and Motase, Omar Ali). The armed struggle for the independence of the country influenced the worldview and choice of subjects of poets and prose writers. The most famous writers are C. Gonçalves, A. Magaya, O. Mendish, L. B. Onvana, A. di Freitas, poets - S. Vieira, A. Guebuza, J. Craveirinha, M. dos Santos, N. di Sousa , R. Nogar. The Mozambique Writers Association was established in 1981.
In 2002, the book Terra Sonambula by the Mozambican writer Mia Koutu was included in the list of 12 winners according to the results of the competition for the best works of the authors of the African continent of the 20th century (a total of 1500 books were submitted).
The musical culture of the country, which had developed long before the arrival of the colonialists, has retained its originality. Playing musical instruments, singing and dancing are an inseparable part of Everyday life Mozambicans. They have an extraordinary sense of rhythm, which dominates in national music. Unlike other African countries, in Mozambique the main musical instruments are not drums, but xylophones (about 50 types). When performing traditional music, accompanying songs and dances, drums, 2-string guitars, bells, lyres, lutes, musical bows are used (one of the most ancient stringed instruments, which, depending on the type of resonator, are called (katimbwa, chizambi or chitende, rattles, horns , whistles, 1-string violins (takare, rebeca), rattles, pipes, flutes (including the Pan flute, in which several pipes are connected) and zithers (bangwe, pango).The mbira percussion instrument is very popular. bamboo, elephant tusks and tusks, reeds, metal, baobab fruits, animal horns, reeds and gourds Musical instruments are played mainly by men.
Choral singing is widespread, and mixed choirs are quite rare. The struggle for independence had a great influence on the development of musical culture. Although many ritual and ritual songs and dances have changed over time, they have not lost their originality. Dances: vajava (rite of passage for men), makwaela (dance of those leaving to work in South Africa), m "ganda, mapiko (ritual dance of expelling spirits), nonje, shigubo, etc. In 1976, a national song and dance ensemble was created, which came on tour and in the USSR (1983) Modern musical art is influenced by Arabic and Portuguese traditions, and the influence of pop music on young people is growing.
Cinema.
On the eve of the proclamation of independence, national documentary films began to develop. In 1975, the National Institute of Cinematography was established. Assistance to Mozambican filmmakers was provided by Soviet specialists.
pre-colonial period.
The territory of modern Mozambique was inhabited by the Saan (Bushmen) and Koiko (Hottentot) tribes back in the Stone Age. They were engaged in hunting and gathering fruits. At the beginning of the 1st millennium A.D. e. they were driven back by the Bantu tribes who came from southern Sudan, who were engaged in cattle breeding and agriculture, knew how to extract iron and copper ore and knew how to smelt iron. In the period 5-16 centuries. on the territory of modern Mozambique, there were several inter-tribal formations, the largest of which was the state formation of Monomotapa. In its heyday (mid-15th century), Monomotapa occupied half of the territory of modern Zimbabwe and the northern regions of Mozambique. In the 8th c. Arabs penetrate the coast of East Africa (including Mozambique) and create trading posts. With their arrival, the spread of Islam began. The locals adopted from the Arabs the technique of making fabrics from cotton, learned how to grow oranges, bananas, lemons, mangoes, rice and sugar cane. In the ports of Mozambique, merchants from India, Indonesia, Iran and China often exchanged their goods - initially for iron, gold, copper, ivory and skins of wild animals, later goods were also exchanged for slaves.
colonial period.
In 1498, the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama visited Mozambique, whose expedition was heading to India. The colonization of Mozambique by the Portuguese began in the beginning. 16th century - the forts of Sena, Sofala, Tete and a fortress on the island of Mozambique were built. (For almost five centuries, the city-island of Ilha de Mozambique (the Portuguese name of the island) was the main military, political and cultural outpost of Portugal, not only in Mozambique, but throughout East Africa). A major role in the colonization of the country was played by missionaries following the troops of the Portuguese and merchants from the coast of the Indian Ocean along the Zambezi River to the hinterland. The Jesuits were the first of the Catholic orders to arrive here. The Portuguese waged a bitter struggle with the Arabs for control over trade in East Africa. Their attempts to conquer Monomotapa (in 1572 and 1574) ended in failure. Weakened by the uprisings of the rulers of a number of regions, the African state was forced to sign an agreement with Portugal on the transfer of gold and silver mines to it in exchange for weapons and support in the fight against the rebels. The plunder of the country by the colonialists and their cruel treatment of the locals led in 1627–1632 to a general uprising, which was led by the supreme ruler Monomotapa Capranzine. The Portuguese brutally suppressed the uprising. The next rulers of Monomotapa - Manuza and his son - were baptized. In con. 17th century The anti-Portuguese movement was led by the leader of the Rozvi people, Changamire Dombo. The new supreme ruler, Nyakambiro, made an alliance with the rebels, and their combined troops drove the Portuguese out of Monomotapa. As a result of numerous wars and civil strife, the African state gradually disintegrated, the power of the ruler of Monomotapa extended only to a small area west of Tete.
The economic development of Mozambique by the Portuguese began in the end. 16th century In search of gold (according to legend, the country of Ophir, the treasury of King Solomon, was once located here) they penetrated into the hinterland along the Zambezi River. There, the Portuguese settlers began to create fiefs "prazu" (translated from Portuguese - "a certain period") - a kind of land concessions that were granted to them in possession (by inheritance) by the king of Portugal. The size of these feudal estates reached 50 thousand square meters. km, they widely used the labor of slaves. Corn and cassava (cassava) were introduced and began to be cultivated, and cattle began to be bred. Tropical diseases and the recalcitrance of the local population complicated the management of the economy. The “prazu” system, which did not bring significant income to the royal treasury, was officially abolished in 1852, but the prazeiros farms (prazu owners) existed until the 1890s. In 1781, the settlement-fortress of Lourenço Markish (the current city of Maputo) was founded, named after the Portuguese merchant, who was still in the middle. In the 1540s, he conducted an active trade-exchange with the leaders of local African tribes. The slave trade (since 1810 they began to be intensively exported from the country to work on the sugar plantations of Brazil, French possessions in the Indian Ocean and Cuba) gradually replaced the ivory trade and led to a significant reduction in the population. Despite the official prohibition of the slave trade in 1850, the illegal export of slaves (20 thousand people annually) continued until the 1880s.
Portuguese possessions were declared a separate colony of Mozambique in 1852. The conquest of the hinterland continued until the beginning. 20th century and was accompanied by anti-Portuguese protests of the indigenous population (an uprising in the province of Cabo Delgado, a major uprising led by J. Krush and others), as well as a long war with the African state of Watua (Gaza). Full control over the territories was established by the colonialists only at the beginning. 1920s The system of colonial government established by the Portuguese was characterized by rigid centralization. The colony was governed by a governor-general, to whom the provincial governors were subordinate. Locally, the colonial authorities relied on leaders who collected taxes and recruited labor force. In 1895-1897, an administrative reform was carried out: the colony was divided into districts, districts and posts. Zones of separate residence of the European and non-European population were determined. In 1897, the city of Lourenço-Marquis became the administrative center of the colony. Portugal's claims to the territories located between Mozambique and Angola, that is, most of the territory of modern Zimbabwe and Malawi, clashed with the interests of Great Britain. After lengthy negotiations between the parties, an agreement was concluded that determined the boundaries of modern Mozambique. More than half of its territory was concessioned by the Portuguese government to British and Belgian companies, whose activities were mainly aimed at building seaports and railways necessary for the export of agricultural raw materials and minerals. By agreement with the British authorities in South Africa in the 1860s-1880s, the male population of the southern regions began to be sent to work on the sugar cane plantations of Natal and the mines of the Transvaal. As a result of the division of the German colonies in East Africa according to Treaty of Versailles in 1919 the Kiongu region was annexed to Mozambique.
After the establishment of the military dictatorship of A. Salazar in Portugal in 1926, and especially during the period of the global economic crisis (1929-1933), the exploitation of the colony intensified: a new taxation system was introduced (mandatory "native tax" - 1/3 of the annual earnings of a worker), forced labor was legally fixed Africans on plantations, construction of railways and highways, the refusal of which was punishable by hard labor. Forced labor on the plantations was associated with a broad campaign for the cultivation of cotton (for the needs of the textile industry in Portugal), which was launched by the colonial authorities. A "trip to the north" (the so-called work on cotton plantations) could punish a worker for allowing him to marry or be late for work. Due to the forced expansion of cotton plantations, the sown area was reduced, outbreaks of famine became frequent. During the Second World War, there was an active trade in colonial goods with the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition, trade relations were also maintained with Germany (in 1938-1945, Mozambique's exports tripled). In 1951, Portugal declared Mozambique its "overseas province". In July 1972, the country received the rights of a "state", while remaining in complete economic and political dependence on Portugal.
The national liberation movement, which manifested itself in the creation in 1920 of the anti-Portuguese "African League" and the "Association of Natives of Mozambique" in the beginning. 1930s, the strike movement of the metropolitan dock workers (1949, 1951) and railway workers in the province of Tete, intensified in the early 1950s. In the middle In the 1950s, the first political organizations and groups were created - the Progressive Union of Mozambique, the Nucleo Negrofico. In the beginning. In the 1960s, the parties "African National Union of Mozambique" and "National Democratic Union of Mozambique" were created outside the country, which in 1962 united into a single Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO). Eduardo Mondlane (expelled from Mozambique for participating in the student movement in South Africa, taught at Syracuse University in the USA, worked in the UN Trusteeship Council) was elected its chairman, and the headquarters was located in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). The main requirement of all these political organizations was to provide the country with independence. The FRELIMO program set the task of uniting the patriotic forces of the country, eliminating the colonial regime and building an independent democratic system. Internal conflicts in the socially heterogeneous front led to the middle. 1963 to a split in its ranks. E. Mondlane's supporters remained in the organization. It was recognized by the Organization of African Unity as the main party of Mozambique and received all-round assistance from it. The refusal of the colonial authorities to negotiate with FRELIMO and the ban on any form of protest forced him to turn to armed struggle: on September 25, 1964, the front called on the population for a general armed uprising. The liberation army, numbering in con. In 1967, over 8,000 people switched from sabotage and attacks on military posts to attacks on administrative centers and the liberation of entire regions. Despite the fact that the colonial authorities had a 30,000-strong army, and also enjoyed the economic and military support of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, by 1974 FRELIMO fighters had liberated territories of 200,000 square meters. km. In these areas, self-government bodies, schools, hospitals, etc. were created. folk shops for the population. The colonial authorities, while maintaining full control over the cities and the most important communications, cracked down (whole villages were burned) with the civilian population that supported the rebels, some of whom were forced to flee their homes to neighboring Malawi and Tanzania. On February 3, 1969, in Dar es Salaam, as a result of a terrorist act, he was killed by police agents E. Mondlane. In 1970, Samora Machel, a member of the Governing Council, was elected chairman of FRELIMO, and the poet Marcelino dos Santos was elected vice president. The leadership of the front came to the conclusion that it was necessary to create a vanguard party of workers. The FRELIMO delegation headed by S. Machel visited the USSR, Bulgaria, the German Democratic Republic and Romania in 1971. International pressure on the government of Portugal intensified after the public revelations of Catholic priests, who spoke about the atrocities of the colonial army against the civilian population. After the fall of the fascist dictatorship in Portugal (April 1974), the new government of Lisbon signed an agreement with FRELIMO (Lusaka (Zambia), September 7, 1974) on granting independence to Mozambique. A transitional government was created, which included representatives of FRELIMO and the Portuguese government, headed by J. Chissano. In order to prevent FRELIMO from coming to power, extremist and racist organizations of the white minority attempted a military coup in September and October 1974, but they were thwarted by the joint efforts of units of the Portuguese army and FRELIMO fighters.
Period of independent development.
The Independent People's Republic of Mozambique was proclaimed on June 25, 1975. FRELIMO chairman S. Machel was elected its first president. The constitution of an independent state, adopted in 1975, fixed the course towards the creation in Mozambique of the political, ideological, scientific and material foundations of a socialist society, as well as the leading role of FRELIMO. The government nationalized foreign trade, banks, educational and health institutions, the legal service and most enterprises, and a law on land use was issued, according to which peasant cooperatives were allotted land. After the declaration of independence, Mozambique left the majority of the European population (mainly the Portuguese), therefore, in the field of economy, education and medicine, the authorities faced serious personnel problems.
A one-party regime has been established since 1977. At the III Congress of FRELIMO (February 1977), it was transformed into the "Party Frelimo" - a party of the vanguard type of Marxist orientation. According to the adopted charter, the party became the leading force of the state and society. The experience of the Mozambican people and Marxism-Leninism were called the basis of her ideological activity. The government managed to achieve significant success in the development of education and medicine: in 1983 the number primary schools amounted to 5.8 thousand, average - 136, a wide network of vocational education was created, health care costs in 1975-1981 increased more than three times. Economic reforms did not lead to positive results, and a decline in industrial production and trade began. One of the reasons for this was the deterioration of relations with the Republic of South Africa. On the eve of independence, Mozambique's economy was largely dependent on close economic ties with South Africa: more than 2/5 of the national income and 50% of foreign exchange earnings to the budget were remittances from Mozambicans who worked in the mines and mines in South Africa, funds received for port and transport services for industrial corporations and firms of the Republic of South Africa, as well as income from tourism business.
The internal political situation was aggravated by the guerrilla war against the government, which was waged by the Mozambican National Resistance (MNR) in the northern provinces. This opposition organization, created in 1976, opposed the socialist orientation of Mozambique and for the introduction of a multi-party system. The bases of the MNF were located on the territory of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), whose government provided financial and military assistance to the opposition in an attempt to force Mozambique to abandon UN trade sanctions against it. Since 1980, the Republic of South Africa also began to support the MNF, which was dissatisfied with Mozambique's help to the African National Congress (ANC), which led the movement against the policy of apartheid in South Africa. During the undeclared war, its armed units carried out attacks on members of the ANC even in the city of Maputo. After the independence of Zimbabwe, its armed forces supported the struggle of the Mozambican government with the opposition MNF, and the Pretoria regime increased assistance to its troops.
The attacks of the MNF on objects of economic importance were purposeful in the nature of undermining the economy. Government mistakes in the economic field and repeated drought for several years led to famine in the country. In an effort to end the protracted civil war and normalize relations with the Republic of South Africa, in 1984 the Mozambican authorities agreed to sign a non-aggression and good-neighborly agreement with its government (the “Nkomati Agreement”). According to this document, both states pledged not to provide bases on their territory, financial and financial assistance groups whose actions pose a threat to the security of each of the parties. Fulfilling the terms of the agreement, the Mozambican government expelled hundreds of ANC members. However, the Pretoria regime never stopped supporting the Mozambican National Resistance. In August 1984, a civil war swept through all the provinces of Mozambique, the MNF managed to block most of the transport routes leading to Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa. After the invasion of Mozambican territory in 1987 by the South African army (in search of ANC bases), Mozambique withdrew from the Nkomati Agreement. In response, the MNF intensified the reprisals against the civilian population - approx. 800 people
In 1986, President S. Machel died in a plane crash. Joaquim Alberto Chissano became the head of state, whose government since 1989 began to pursue a course aimed at liberalizing the economy and the socio-political life of the country. A draft of a new constitution was developed, proclaiming democratic freedoms, including a multi-party system. The government invited the MNF to participate in the discussion of the draft constitution and in the general elections scheduled for 1992. The constitution was adopted on November 30, 1990, registration of new political parties began. According to the constitution, since November 1990 the country has received the name "Republic of Mozambique". Through the mediation of the presidents of Zimbabwe and Kenya, as a result of negotiations between Frelimo and the MNF (1989-1991), a ceasefire agreement was concluded, and in 1992 an agreement was signed on the cessation of hostilities.
The restoration of the economy took place in difficult conditions: during the long civil war, most roads and industrial enterprises were destroyed, agriculture was undermined - irrigation systems were destroyed, plantations fell into disrepair due to the forced flight of peasants (about 1 million people left their places of residence, in the valley of the Zambezi River, which before the war was the breadbasket of the country, only 20% of the population remained). The damage caused to the industry of Mozambique as a result of hostilities in 1980-1990 amounted to 15 billion US dollars. Thanks to external assistance (the government agreed to IMF control over the country's economic policy), the mobilization of domestic resources and the support of the population, in 1993 a record GDP growth was achieved - 19.3%, inflation in 1994 was reduced to 70%.
The preparation of the presidential and parliamentary elections took place in the context of protracted disagreements between Frelimo and the other 12 opposition parties. A compromise was reached through the mediation of the UN in April 1994. The first democratic general elections in the country's history were held in October 1994. J. Chissano was elected president of the country, who received 53.3% of the vote, 33.7% voted for the MNF candidate. The Frelimo party received 129 out of 250 seats in the parliament (Assembly of the Republic), the MNS - 112 (becoming the main opposition party), the remaining 9 seats were received by the Democratic Union (DU). The opposition, headed by the leader of the MNF A. Dlakama, recognized the results of the general elections, which were held in conditions of relative calm and loyal attitude of the candidates to each other.
The government of J. Chissano proclaimed a course towards market reforms. Since 1992, the process of privatization of the public sector of the economy began (in 1992–2002, about 900 companies were sold to private entrepreneurs). To attract Mozambican investors, the authorities provide them with soft loans. After the ANC came to power in the Republic of South Africa (1994), the process of economic integration of the two neighboring countries began. The stabilization of the internal political situation in Mozambique intensified after the disarmament in 1995–1996 of the remaining units of the MNF, which did not recognize the conclusion of peace and continued attacks on settlements in the northern provinces of the country. In 1997, a law on land ownership was adopted. The economic recovery was aided by foreign aid, mainly from England, the World Bank, Germany and the United States of America (foreign aid received by Mozambique in the 1990s is one of the largest in Africa). IMF in 1996 for implementation economic reforms and to fight inflation provided Mozambique with a $110 million loan. In June 1999, the IMF wrote off two-thirds of Mozambique's external debt ($3.7 billion). Thanks to tight financial policies - increasing taxes, cutting government spending, supporting and expanding the private sector, privatizing unprofitable enterprises and curbing wage growth - in 1997 it was possible to reduce inflation to 5.8%. In 1998, a bill was submitted to the Assembly of the Republic, according to which part of the functions of the president was transferred to the government and parliament. But the bill was rejected because it did not get the required two-thirds of the votes in Parliament. The MNF boycotted the 1998 elections to local authorities, so only 20% of voters came to the polls. The candidates of the Frelimo party won the elections, some of the mandates were received by independent candidates.
The next presidential and parliamentary elections were held on December 3-5, 1999. The rivalry between the candidates was quite tough. However, the election results did not show significant changes in the alignment of political forces: J. Chissano was re-elected president (52.29% of the vote), and the Frelimo party won the majority of seats (133 - 48.5% of the vote) in the Assembly of the Republic. 47.71% of voters cast their votes for the candidacy of A. Dlakama. In the parliament, the opposition was represented only by representatives of the MNS, since in the elections it acted in a bloc along with eleven opposition parties (117 seats - 38.8% of the vote). The opposition was dissatisfied with the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections and accused the ruling party of falsifying them. A. Dlakama resorted to open threats and announced his intention to create a parallel government if an independent recount of votes is not organized. In November 1999, the opposition held several demonstrations in Maputo, the participants of which demanded a revision of the results of the general elections. During clashes with the police, 40 people were killed. In addition to the capital, unrest also swept the northern and central provinces of the country. 83 MNF activists were arrested, imprisoned, where they later died from lack of air in their cells. The MNF filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court demanding a review of the election results. In January 2000, the Supreme Court ruled that the opposition party's claims were unfounded. Relations between the government and the opposition became extremely aggravated, A. Dlakama announced his intention to start again guerrilla war. J. Chissano held several meetings with the leader of the WPC, as a result of which an agreement was reached on constant consultations between the government and the opposition. In June 2001, A. Dlakama announced his readiness to cooperate with the government of J. Chissano. In December 2001, the president made an official announcement that he did not intend to stand as a candidate in the next presidential election, scheduled for 2004.
The victory of the Frelimo party in the 1999 elections was largely ensured by the results of its active and balanced policy in the economic field. After a long period of devastation and stagnation, the annual growth rate of the economy reached 5-6% in the first half. 1990s and more than 10% by the beginning. 2000s. (Growth in industry in some years amounted to 30.5%, in transport and communications - 22.5%, in construction - 16%). Strong economic performance and simplification of the bureaucratic procedures for investors have sharply distinguished Mozambique from the ranks of the member states of the Southern African Development Community and attracted new foreign investment. In 1998, on the outskirts of Maputo, a powerful aluminum plant was built and began to operate, the shares of which, in addition to Mozambique, are owned by England and Japan. The reduction in military spending, the privatization of state-owned enterprises, as well as measures to streamline tax collections led to the improvement of the financial system and lower inflation. This allowed the government in 2000 to increase spending on agriculture by 13%, education - by 21%, health care - by 80%.
In the beginning. 2000 due to powerful tropical downpours that hit southern Africa, in Zimbabwe and South Africa, most of the dams in the upper reaches of the rivers that flow into the Indian Ocean were disrupted. This led to a catastrophic flood in Mozambique: 640 people died, more than half a million inhabitants were left homeless, crops were completely destroyed on an area of 127 thousand hectares (10% of 15% of all cultivated land), 20 thousand heads of cattle were lost, tens of kilometers of railways and highways were demolished. Flood damage was estimated at $450 million. The inflation rate reached 12%. The Republic of Mozambique was provided with urgent humanitarian assistance (including by Russia). International financial organizations and donor countries provided free assistance to Mozambique in the amount of 452.9 million US dollars to eliminate the consequences of the flood. In December 2001, the Paris Club wrote off 60% of his external debt due to the flood.
Mozambique is one of the ten poorest countries in the world. Receives financial assistance from the IMF under the HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) program, provided to the poorest countries with high external debt and put forward by the World Bank. In 2001, a five-year program for the development of agriculture called "Proagri" was developed, half of the funds for the implementation of which are provided by foreign investors. In 2002-2004, more than 6 billion US dollars of foreign investments were invested in the country's economy (primarily by companies from the Republic of South Africa). The active efforts of the government of J. Chissano to maintain political stability in the country and the successful implementation of economic reforms within the framework of the tough program of the IMF and the World Bank developed for Mozambique made it possible to maintain the pace of economic growth. Despite the drought in the central and southern provinces, GDP growth was 7.7% in 2002 and 7% in 2003. The government is pursuing economic policy using the new opportunities that have opened up since the launch of NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development), a new ambitious program of the continent's development strategy.
The President of Mozambique, J. Chissano, was elected Chairman of the AU (African Union) for 2003-2004 at the Second Summit of this organization, which was held in Maputo on July 9-12, 2003.
In November 2003 elections to local authorities were held. The ruling party, Frelimo, won a landslide victory in 29 out of 33 municipalities. In the other four districts, candidates from the Mozambican National Resistance won. In con. 2003 Harsh new legislation is passed that tightens up the fight against corruption - government officials who abuse their positions face up to eight years in prison. In April 2004, a gas plant was put into operation in the south of the country, and natural gas supplies to the Republic of South Africa began. According to the information agency of the country (AIM), in 2004 the growth of grain harvest amounted to 11% (it was achieved mainly due to an increase in the corn harvest - 1.4 million tons (14% more than in 2003)).
In June 2004, it was officially announced that the next presidential and parliamentary elections were scheduled for December this year. President J. Chissano announced that he would no longer stand as a candidate. The party's general secretary Guebuza Armandou has been nominated as the Frelimo candidate.
MOZAMBIQUE
Geographical position and nature:
State in the southeast of the African continent. In the west it borders on Malawi (the length of the border is 1,569 km), Zimbabwe (1,231 km) and Zambia (419 km), in the southwest - on the Republic of South Africa (491 km) and Swaziland (105 km), in the north - with Tanzania (756 km). In the east, the country is washed by the Mozambique Channel. The total length of the border is 4,571 km, the length of the coastline is 2,470 km. The total area of the country is 802,000 km 2 (the land area is 784,090 km 2). In the north of the country there is a plateau of the East African Plateau with a height of up to 2419m.
In the west rises the Matabele ledge with the highest point of the country 2436m. To the east are the coastal low plains. The central part is occupied by hills. The main rivers of the country are the Zambezi and the Limpopo. The country's largest lake is Lake Nyasa (Malawi), partly located in Mozambique. Main minerals: coal, titanium, iron ore, bauxite, copper.
Population:
The population is 18115 250 people (1995), the average population density is about 22 people per km 2. The population is mainly concentrated in the coastal regions of the country. The largest among the local tribal groups are Makua Lomwe, Tsonga, Shona, Malawi, Europeans and Indians also live in the country. The official language is Portuguese, other common languages are Makua, Malawi, Tsonga, Shona, Swahili. Local pagan beliefs are followed by 60% of the population, Christianity is practiced by 30%, Islam - 10%. Birth rate - 44.6 newborns per 1,000 people (1995) Mortality - 15.94 deaths per 1,000 people (infant mortality rate - 126 deaths per 1,000 newborns). Average life expectancy: men - 47 years, women - 51 years (1995). Only one third of the population (45% of men, 21% of women) aged 15 and over can read and write (1990).
The climate in the north is subequatorial monsoon, in the south - tropical trade winds, there are almost no temperature differences between seasons (average temperatures are 25-28°C). In the southern part of the country, the average temperatures are somewhat lower (about 20 ° C), and the amount of precipitation is also less: 750-1,000 mm falls here annually, while in the northern part of the country and on the windward slopes of the plateaus - up to 1,500 mm.
Vegetable world:
The northern part of Mozambique is characterized by sparse forests, in the center of the country there are light tropical forests, the species composition of which is dominated by brachistegia, the Mlangian cedar. To the south of the Zambezi River, tall-grass savannahs with groups of acacias and baobabs appear.
Animal world:
The fauna of Mozambique is rich and varied: herds of elephants, hippos, ungulates, an abundance of lions and crocodiles live here; there are rare white rhinoceros, kaffir buffalo. Lots of birds: toucans and parrots, marabou and hawks. The coastal waters are inhabited by sawfish, swordfish, many shrimps and lobsters.
State structure, political parties:
Full name - People's Republic of Mozambique. The state system is a republic. The country consists of 11 provinces, including the capital - the city of Maputo - has the status of a province. Mozambique received independence on June 25, 1975 from Portugal, this day is celebrated as a national holiday - Independence Day. The legislation is based on Portuguese civil law. The head of state and government is the president, the prime minister assists the president in managing the Council of Ministers. Legislative power is exercised by a unicameral parliament - the Assembly of the Republic. The most influential political parties: FRELIMO Party, Mozambique National Union (UNAMO), Liberal Democratic Party of Mozambique (PALMO), Mozambique National Movement (MONAMO).
Economy, transport communications:
Mozambique remains one of the poorest countries in Africa, despite the economic potential of agriculture and hydropower. GDP in 1994 amounted to $10.6 billion (GNP per capita - S610). The most developed industries: oil refining, chemical, textile, tobacco, food. Agriculture provides 50% of GNP and about 90% of exports, the main crops are cotton, sugar cane, tea, cassava, corn, rice. Cashew nuts and shrimp are the main export commodities. The sharp increase in foreign investment, encouraged by government policy in recent years, has led to an increase in the rate of economic growth. The monetary unit is the metical (1 metical (Mt) is equal to 100 centavos). Main trading partners: Spain, South Africa, France, Japan, Great Britain, Portugal.
The total length of railways is 3,288 km, roads - 26,498 km, inland waterways - about 3,750 km. The main ports of the country: Beira, Maputo, Nacala.
In the Middle Ages, Arab traders founded their colonies on the coast of modern Mozambique. In 1498, Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Mozambique, and the Portuguese concluded agreements with the leaders of local tribes, according to which Portugal could control only the coastal regions of the country. The exploration of the central region of Mozambique began by the Portuguese under the leadership of Serpa Pinto at the end of the 19th century, and in 1951 Mozambique became a maritime province of Portugal. The armed organization FRELIMO (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique), formed in 1962, fought against the Portuguese, who on June 25, 1975 recognized the independence of Mozambique. The civil war that lasted 16 years in the country ended with the signing in 1992 of a peace treaty between the ruling regime and the National Resistance Movement of Mozambique.
Attractions:
Mozambique has wonderful sandy beaches, interesting fauna that attracts tourists here.
Participation in international organizations:
AfDB, TKK, ECA, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, MAP, IFAD, IFC, ILO IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAP, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO.
