2001 Edition

Administrative divisions

10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia

Age structure

0-14 years: 42.72% (male 4,124,093; female 4,152,135) 15-64 years: 54.53% (male 5,222,477; female 5,339,615) 65 years and over: 2.75% (male 221,678; female 311,059) (2001 est.)

Agriculture - products

cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, rice, coconuts, sisal, tropical fruits; beef, poultry

Airports

168 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 146 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 37 under 914 m: 92 (2000 est.) Mozambique Military

Area

total: 801,590 sq km land: 784,090 sq km water: 17,500 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of California

Background

Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development. The ruling party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement with rebel forces ended the fighting in 1992. Mozambique Geography

Birth rate

37.2 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Budget

revenues: $466.9 million expenditures: $1.004 billion, including capital expenditures of $502.5 million (2000 est.)

Capital

Maputo

Climate

tropical to subtropical

Coastline

2,470 km

Constitution

30 November 1990

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique conventional short form: Mozambique local long form: Republica de Mocambique local short form: Mocambique former: Portuguese East Africa

Currency

metical (MZM)

Currency code

MZM

Death rate

24.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Debt - external

$1.4 billion (2000 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Sharon P. WILKINSON embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo telephone: [258] (1) 492797

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Marcos Geraldo NAMASHULUA chancery: Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146

Disputes - international

none

Economic aid - recipient

$1.04 billion (1998)

Economy - overview

Before the peace accord of October 1992, Mozambique's economy was devastated by a protracted civil war and socialist mismanagement. In 1994, it ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world. Since then, Mozambique has undertaken a series of economic reforms. Almost all aspects of the economy have been liberalized to some extent. More than 900 state enterprises have been privatized. A value-added tax, introduced in 1999, launched the government's comprehensive tax reform program. Pending are much needed commercial code reform and greater private sector involvement in the transportation, telecommunications, and energy sectors. Since 1996, inflation has been low and foreign exchange rates relatively stable. Albeit from a small base, Mozambique's economy grew at an annual 10% rate in 1997-99, one of the highest growth rates in the world. Growth slowed and inflation rose in 2000 due to devastating flooding in the early part of the year. Both indicators should recover in 2001. The country depends on foreign assistance to balance the budget and to pay for a trade imbalance in which imports greatly outnumber exports. The trade situation should improve in the medium term, however, as trade and transportation links to South Africa and the rest of the region have been improved and sizeable foreign investments are beginning to materialize. Among these investments are metal production (aluminum, steel), natural gas, power generation, agriculture, fishing, timber, and transportation services. Mozambique has received a formal cancellation of a large portion of its external debt through an IMF initiative and is scheduled to receive additional relief.

Electricity - consumption

307 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports

1.9 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports

68 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - production

2.3 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 13.04% hydro: 86.96% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m

Environment - current issues

a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Mozambique People

Ethnic groups

indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan, Chokwe, Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%

Exchange rates

meticais per US dollar - 17,331.0 (January 2001), 5,199.8 (2000), 12,775.1 (1999), 11,874.6 (1998), 11.543.6 (1997), 11,293.8 (1996)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November 1986); note - before being popularly elected, CHISSANO was elected president by Frelimo's Central Committee 4 November 1986 (reelected by the Committee 30 July 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Pascoal MOCUMBI (since NA December 1994) cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 3-5 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO reelected president; percent of vote - Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO 52.29%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 47.71%

Exports

$390 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Exports - commodities

prawns 40%, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity (2000)

Exports - partners

EU 27%, South Africa 26%, Zimbabwe 15%, India 12%, US 5%, Japan 4% (1999 est.)

FAX

[1] (202) 835-0245

[258] (1) 490114

Fiscal year

calendar year Mozambique Communications

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book Mozambique Economy

GDP

purchasing power parity - $19.1 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 44% industry: 19% services: 37% (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.8% (2000 est.)

Geographic coordinates

18 15 S, 35 00 E

Government type

republic

Highways

total: 30,400 km paved: 5,685 km unpaved: 24,715 km (1996)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

13.22% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

98,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1.2 million (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 31.7% (1996-97)

Illicit drugs

Southern African transit point for South Asian hashish, South Asian heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa)

Imports

$1.4 billion (c.i.f., 2000 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs, textiles (2000)

Imports - partners

South Africa 44%, EU 16%, US 6.5%, Japan 6.5%, Pakistan 3%, India 3% (1999 est.)

Independence

25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

Industrial production growth rate

7.2% (1999)

Industries

food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco

Infant mortality rate

139.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

11.4% (2000 est.)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNTAET, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Internet country code

.mz

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

8 (2000)

Internet users

6,250 note: 150 corporate accounts and 6,100 individual accounts (2000) Mozambique Transportation

Irrigated land

1,200 sq km (2000 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts note: although the constitution provides for the creation of a separate Constitutional Court, one has never been established; in its absence the Supreme Court reviews constitutional cases

Labor force

7.4 million (1997 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 81%, industry 6%, services 13% (1997 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 4,571 km border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km

Land use

arable land: 4% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 56% forests and woodland: 18% other: 22% (1993 est.)

Languages

Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects

Legal system

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3-5 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - Frelimo 48.54%, Renamo-UE 38.81%; seats by party - Frelimo 133, Renamo-UE 117 note: Renamo-UE ran as a multiparty coalition; none of the other opposition parties received the 5% required to win parliamentary seats

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 36.45 years male: 37.25 years female: 35.62 years (2001 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.3% male: 58.4% female: 27% (1998 est.) Mozambique Government

Location

Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM

Merchant marine

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,125 GRT/7,024 DWT ships by type: cargo 3 (2000 est.)

Military branches

Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces, Militia

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$35.1 million (2000 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1% (2000 est.) Mozambique Transnational Issues

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 4,627,052 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 2,670,933 (2001 est.)

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 June (1975)

Nationality

noun: Mozambican(s) adjective: Mozambican

Natural hazards

severe droughts and floods occur in central and southern provinces; devastating cyclones

Natural resources

coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 306 km; petroleum products 289 km note: not operating

Political parties and leaders

Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or Frelimo [Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO, chairman]; Mozambique National Resistance - Electoral Union (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana - Uniao Eleitoral) or Renamo-UE [Afonso DHLAKAMA, president]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

19,371,057 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2001 est.)

Population below poverty line

70% (2000 est.)

Population growth rate

1.3% (2001 est.)

Ports and harbors

Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba, Quelimane

Radio broadcast stations

AM 13, FM 16, shortwave 12 (2000)

Radios

730,000 (1997)

Railways

total: 3,131 km narrow gauge: 2,988 km 1.067-m gauge; 143 km 0.762-m gauge (1994)

Religions

indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

general assessment: fair system but not available generally (telephone density is only 3.5 telephones for each 1,000 persons) domestic: the system consists of open-wire lines and trunk connection by microwave radio relay and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

65,354 (2000)

Telephones - mobile cellular

18,500 (2000)

Television broadcast stations

1 (2000)

Televisions

67,600 (2000)

Terrain

mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west

Total fertility rate

4.82 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate

21% (1997 est.)

Waterways

3,750 km (navigable routes)