Mozambique — Overview
Mozambique has had a rough ride over the past few decades: colonial rule was followed by many years of civil war, devastating famine and natural disasters. However, since peace was agreed in 1992, the country has been piecing itself together once again and opening its doors to tourism.
It certainly has much to offer the visitor. There are vast expanses of palm-fringed beach and lagoons with safe bathing, warm waters and good fishing. The country is rich in wildlife with several excellent parks and reserves to glimpse rare birds, big game and abundant marine life. It also claims islands that are dotted with historical monuments.
There is also good hiking with little-visited mountains but advice and extreme caution should be taken due to the large amount of leftover landmines in the country.
Geography
Mozambique borders Tanzania to the north, Zambia and Malawi to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and South Africa and Swaziland to the southwest. To the east lies the Indian Ocean and a coastline of nearly 2,500km (1,550 miles) with beaches bordered by lagoons, coral reefs and strings of islands. Behind the coastline, a vast low plateau rising towards mountains in the west and north accounts for nearly half the area of Mozambique. The landscape of the plateau is savannah – more or less dry and open woodlands with tracts of short grass steppe.
The western and northern highlands are patched with forest. The Zambezi is the largest and most important of the 25 main rivers which flow through Mozambique into the Indian Ocean. The major concentrations of population (comprising many different ethnic groups) are along the coast and in the fertile and relatively productive river valleys, notably in Zambezia and Gaza provinces.
The Makua-Lomwe, who belong to the Central Bantu, live mainly in the area north of Zambezia, Nampula, Niassa and Cabo Delgado provinces. The Tsonga, who are the predominant race in the southern lowlands, provide a great deal of the labor for the South African mines. In the Inhambane coastal district are the Chopi and Tsonga, while in the central area are the Shona. The Makonde inhabit the far north. Mestizos and Asians live in the main populated area along the coast and in the more fertile river valleys.
