Location: Southern Africa. Bordered to the North by Tanzania, to the East is the Indian Ocean, to the South by South Africa and Swaziland, to the West is Zimbabwe and Malawi
Name: Republic of Mozambique
Capital: Maputo (formally Lourenço Marquez)
Time zone: GMT +2 hours
Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz
Area: 801,590km²
Currency: Metical, SA Rand, Pound Sterling, US$ and Euros are widely accepted, as well as major credit cards (Visa seems to be the most widely accepted). It is advisable to carry cash or credit cards although obtaining a cash advance on a credit card in a bank can be time consuming. ATM machines are available in the main centre's and some hotels
Religion: Christian, Muslim and Hindu as well as traditional beliefs
Population: About 19 million inhabitants of which 30% live in the urban centre's of Maputo, Beira and Nampula. The indigenous groups form 99% of the population
Languages: Portuguese is the official National language, however there are over 60 languages spoken through out the country
Over the last 1000 years Mozambique has been the focus of interest for many races. The strategic location, rich minerals, gold and ivory made Mozambique, over the centuries, an important trading point
The primitive people of Mozambique were the Bosquimanes, nomadic, hunter-gatherers. Between 200 and 300 AC the Bantu people arriving from the northern big lakes, established themselves along the Mozambique coast line. The Bantus brought in agricultural skills as well as knowledge of iron working
During the 13th Century, the Arab traders settled along the East Coast attracted by the gold mines. They, the Swahili's, introduced the Islamic culture. The Indians and Chinese were also actively trading along this coast line
In February 1497 the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama arrived at Ilha de Mozambique (Mozambique Island, today connected to the main land by a causeway) on his way to India. And in 1507 a permanent settlement started on the Island
During this period Portugal tried to take control of the gold trade
In the 16th Century the Dutch made failed attempts to occupy the Island
Portuguese farmers were encouraged to settle and develop further inland, expanding the occupied territory. By mid 16th century the ivory trade was competing with gold
In 1752 Mozambique was officially declared a Portuguese colony
Between 1700s and 1800s the slave trade became a major activity, over 1 million slaves were transported to Brazil, Reunion and Mauritius
The "Prazo" system was introduced as an attempt to gain more control over the colony, to promote agricultural and economic development. It consisted on a contract granting land (Prazos) to Portuguese women over three generation (as long as they were married to Portuguese men). The Prazeiros (owners of Prazos) became the elite of the country exerting great control
In 1871 slavery is abolished and Ilha de Mozambique becomes a depot for free slaves
In 1878 Portugal conceded some of the Northern territory for trading to British and German companies as a way to avoid invasion from those countries. The European companies introduced enforced labour "Chibalo" on construction of roads and farming
One year later the Lourenço Marquez treaty was signed between Britain and Portugal, resulting in the construction of the railway linking Lourenço Marquez to Johannesburg, it was officially completed in January 1895. At this time the Capital was moved from Ilha de Mozambique to Lourenço Marquez, where most political and economic activities were now being carried out
In 1926 Antonio Oliveira Salazar takes over Portugal on a fascist coup. For Mozambique this again meant forced labour to build the railways linking the main ports to the main cities as well as mines, and farming activities. Salazar also introduced a strict racist regime, where education was no longer granted to the population, and the Africans were forbidden to initiate any kind of business. The Prazos were abolished at this time
The Catholic Church came in to provide basic education to the African people but under strict conditions, which included abandoning traditional beliefs and culture, this was for many the only way to avoid forced labour (they were called the, 'Assimilados' or non-indigenous). The great majority of the African population were forced into hard labour. Cities and developed areas were reserved for white people and a few privileged, 'Assimilados'
Nationalist feelings were fast developing by the educated few and intellectuals
In June 1960, during a peaceful protest at Mueda in Northern Mozambique, the Portuguese opened fire on the crowd. This event is remembered yearly as "The massacre of Mueda". This was the start of the Mozambique liberation movement
Frelimo Party (Frente de Liberacao Mozambicana - Liberation Front) was created and had Eduardo Chivambu Mondlane as the first president. The purpose was to conquer complete independence from Portugal
In 1969 Eduardo Mondlane was assassinated by a letter bomb. Samora Michel as military commander took over with strong Marxist views. Portugal was struggling to keep hands over the colony and slowly lost control. With the overthrow of Salazar's regime, Portugal gave in, on 7th September 1974 Portugal agreed on a transition of government to Frelimo
The Independent People's republic of Mozambique was then proclaimed
There was no gradual transition, the Portuguese left in a hurry leaving the country in a trap set for disaster. Radical and unrealistic social changes were fast implemented with some external help. By 1983 the country's economy was in a shambles
Renamo (Resistência Nacional de Mozambique - Mozambique National Resistance) was created in 1970s by external forces. From 1976 onwards its main purpose was the destruction of social economical structures and destabilization of the government. Recruits were forced to join, whilst roads, bridges and railways were destroyed together with schools and hospitals. Skilled labour was targeted, many were killed. Atrocities were violently committed. Until 1992 the country was basically in a brutal civil war, that pitted brother against brother
In 1983 drought and famine forced the Frelimo movement to turn to western aid
In 1984 the Nkomaty Accord was signed between Mozambique and South Africa (S.A.) The deal was for S.A. to withdraw all support for Renamo and in exchange Mozambique would reject the ANC and allow South African Investment into the country. This Accord was not successful, as S.A. did not as promised withdraw their support for Renamo. Renamo remained in power
Two years later Samora Michel died in a plane crash and was replaced by Joaquim Chissano
The collapse of the USSR and the newly elected South African president F.W. De Klerk turned the situation against Renamo
The peace agreement came in October 1992, followed by the UN monitoring disarmament and demobilization campaign. The first National Elections was held in 1994
Since then Mozambique has greatly developed towards peace and democracy. Showing a much greater political stability with the Frelimo party winning another term in 2004
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