The republic of Mozambique is located on the southeastern coast of Africa between South Africa and Tanzania. Its population was approximately 24 million as of July 2013.
A former colony of Portugal, Mozambique gained its independence in 1975 and ended years of civil war in 1992. In recent years, it has established a free market economy and multi-party elections.
Mozambique is an agricultural nation. Despite strong economic growth since the end of its civil war, it remains one of the poorest countries in the world. As of 2012, the gross domestic product per capita was $1200 US.
The infant mortality rate in Mozambique is 7.5%, 13th highest in the world. The life expectancy at birth is 52 years.
Mozambique is a tropical-subtropical land with 1800 km of coastline on the Indian Ocean. Its rainy season extends from November to April, and its dry season from April to November.
The port city of Maputo, population 1.4 million, is the capital of the country and the home of its major cultural institutions.
Maputo is located 75 minutes by car from Kruger National Park in South Africa and 90 minutes by air from Johannesburg.
The coast of Mozambique attracts international visitors to its resort hotels, unspoiled beaches, and excellent scuba diving and snorkeling.
The Indian Ocean seaside resort of Beline is two hours north of Maputo by car.
Maputo International Airport.
Language and Culture
The official written and spoken language of Mozambique is Portuguese; the business languages are Portuguese and English. English is spoken widely in the Mondlane School of Medicine and in Maputo.
Most of the nation’s citizens speak Bantu-family African languages and practice traditional religions.
In the 1997 census, 28.4% of the country’s citizens identified themselves as Catholic, 27.7% as Protestant, 17.9% as Muslim and 7.2% as belonging to other religions, with the remainder declaring no religious affiliation.
Market in Maputo.
Photographs above: Chip Schooley, MD
Photograph: Kenneth Kaushansky, MD, MACP
Traditional houses, Mozambique.
Photograph: Ken Kaushansky, MD, MACP