|
'''موزمبېق''' چې رسمي نوم یې '''د موزمبېق جمهوریت''' دی.
{{ژباړل}}
{{هېواد-مالوماتبکس |
native_name = ''República de Moçambique'' |
conventional_long_name = Republic of Mozambique |
common_name = Mozambique |
image_flag = Flag of Mozambique.svg |
image_coat = Coat_of_arms_of_Mozambique.png |
national_motto = n/a |
image_map = LocationMozambique.png |
national_anthem = [[Pátria Amada]] (formerly [[Viva, Viva a FRELIMO]]) |
official_languages = [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] |
capital = [[Maputo]] |
latd=25|latm=57|latNS=S|longd=32|longm=35|longEW=E|
government_type = [[Republic]] |
leader_title1 = [[List of Presidents of Mozambique|President]] |
leader_title2 = [[List of Prime Ministers of Mozambique|Prime Minister]]|
leader_name1 = [[Armando Guebuza]] |
leader_name2 = [[Luisa Diogo|Luísa Diogo]]|
largest_city = [[Maputo]] |
area = 801,590 |
areami²= 309,496 <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] -->|
area_rank = 35th |
area_magnitude = 1 E11 |
percent_water = 2.2% |
population_estimate = 19,792,000 <sup>1</sup>|
population_estimate_year = July 2005 |
population_estimate_rank = 54th |
population_census = 16,099,246 |
population_census_year = 1997 |
population_density = 25 |
population_densitymi² = 65 <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] -->|
population_density_rank = 178th |
GDP_PPP_year = 2005 |
GDP_PPP = $27.013 billion <!--IMF-->|
GDP_PPP_rank = 100th |
GDP_PPP_per_capita = $ 1,389 |
GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 158th |
sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |
established_event1 = From [[Portugal]] |
established_date1 = [[June 25]] [[1975]] |
HDI_year = 2003 |
HDI = 0.379 |
HDI_rank = 168th |
HDI_category = <font style="color:#E0584E">low</font> |
currency = [[Mozambican metical]] (Mt) |
currency_code = MZN |
time_zone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]] |
utc_offset = +2 |
time_zone_DST = not observed |
utc_offset_DST = +2 |
cctld = [[.mz]] |
calling_code = 258 |
footnotes = 1.) 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.
}}
'''Mozambique''', officially the '''Republic of Mozambique''' ([[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]: ''Moçambique'' or ''República de Moçambique'', [[Pronunciation|pron.]] [[IPA]] /{{IPA|rɛ.'pu.βli.kɐ dɨ mu.sɐ̃.'βi.k(ɨ)}}/), is a country in southeastern [[Africa]] bordering to the [[Indian Ocean]] in the east, [[تانزانيه]] in the north, [[ملاوي]] and [[زېمبيا]] in the northwest, [[زېمبابوې]] in the west and [[سوازيلانډ]] and [[سوېلي افريقا]] in the southwest. It is a member of the [[Community of Portuguese Language Countries]] and the [[Commonwealth of Nations]].
== History ==
Mozambique's first inhabitants were [[Bushmen|San]] [[hunter gatherer|hunters and gatherers]], ancestors of the [[Khoisani]] peoples. Between the [[1st century|first]] and [[4th century|fourth centuries AD]], waves of [[Bantu]]-speaking peoples migrated from the west and north through the [[Zambezi River]] valley and then gradually into the plateau and coastal areas. The Bantu were farmers and ironworkers.
[[دوتنه:Mozambique_n2.jpg|thumb|left|Ilha de Moçambique was first discovered by Europeans in the late 1400s]] When [[Portugal|Portuguese]] explorers reached Mozambique in 1498, [[Arab]] commercial and slave trading settlements had existed along the coast and outlying islands for several centuries. From about 1500, Portuguese trading posts and forts became regular ports of call on the new route to the east. Later, [[trader]]s and [[prospector]]s penetrated the interior regions seeking gold and [[Slavery|slaves]]. Although Portuguese influence gradually expanded, its power was limited and exercised through individual settlers and officials who were granted extensive autonomy. As a result, investment lagged while [[Lisbon]] devoted itself to the more lucrative trade with [[India]] and the [[Far East]] and to the colonization of [[Brazil]].
By the early 20th century the Portuguese had shifted the administration of much of Mozambique to large private companies, like the [[Mozambique Company]], the [[Zambezi Company]] and the [[Niassa Company]], controlled and financed mostly by the [[United Kingdom|British]], which established railroad lines to neighboring countries and supplied cheap--often forced--[[Africa]]n labor to the [[mining|mines]] and [[plantation]]s of the nearby British colonies and [[South Africa]]. Because policies were designed to benefit Portuguese immigrants and the Portuguese homeland, little attention was paid to Mozambique's national integration, its economic [[infrastructure]], or the skills of its population.
{{MapLibrary|Mozambique_sat.png|Mozambique}}
After [[World War II]], while many European nations were granting independence to their colonies, Portugal maintained that Mozambique and other Portuguese possessions were overseas provinces of the mother country, and emigration to the colonies soared. Calls for Mozambican independence developed apace, and in 1962 several anti-colonial political groups formed the [[Front for the Liberation of Mozambique]] (FRELIMO), which initiated an armed campaign against Portuguese colonial rule in September 1964. However, Portugal had occupied the country for more than 400 years; not all Mozambicans desired independence, and fewer still sought change through armed revolution. Despite arms shipments by China and the Soviet Union, FRELIMO and other loosely linked armed guerilla forces proved no match for Portuguese counterinsurgency forces. After 10 years of sporadic warfare, FRELIMO had not made appreciable progress towards capturing either significant amounts of territory or population centers. After a socialist-inspired military coup which overthrew the Portuguese government in 1974, Portugal determined to grant independence to its remaining colonies. Mozambique became independent on [[June 25]], [[1975]].
The last 30 years of Mozambique's history have reflected political developments elsewhere in the 20th century. Following the April 1974 [[coup]] in Lisbon, Portuguese withdrew from Mozambique. In Mozambique, the military decision to withdraw occurred within the context of a decade of armed anti-colonial struggle, initially led by American-educated [[Eduardo Mondlane]], who was assassinated in 1969. When independence was achieved in 1975, FRELIMO rapidly established a one-party state allied to the [[Soviet bloc]] and outlawed rival political activity. FRELIMO eliminated political pluralism, religious educational institutions, and the role of traditional authorities.
The new government, under president [[Samora Machel]], gave shelter and support to South African ([[African National Congress|ANC]]) and Zimbabwean ([[ZANU]]) liberation movements while the governments of first [[Rhodesia]] and later [[apartheid]] South Africa fostered and financed an armed rebel movement in central Mozambique called the [[Mozambican National Resistance]] (RENAMO). Hence, [[Mozambican Civil War|civil war]], sabotage from neighboring states, and economic collapse characterized the first decade of Mozambican independence. Also marking this period were the mass exodus of Portuguese nationals and Mozambicans of Portuguese heritage, a weak infrastructure, government nationalization of privately-owned industries and economic mismanagement. During most of the civil war, the government was unable to exercise effective control outside of urban areas, many of which were cut off from the capital. An estimated 1 million Mozambicans perished during the civil war, 1.7 million took refuge in neighboring states, and several million more were internally displaced. On [[October 19]], [[1986]] Samora Machel was on his way back from an international meeting in [[Malawi]] in the presidential [[Tupolev Tu-134]] aircraft when the plane crashed in the [[Lebombo Mountains]], near Mbuzini. There were nine survivors but President Machel and twenty-four others died, including ministers and officials of the Mozambique government. The [[United Nation]]'s [[USSR|Soviet]] delegation issued a minority report contending that their expertise and experience had been undermined by the South Africans. Herein, representatives of the USSR advanced the theory that the plane had been intentionally diverted by a false [[VHF omnidirectional range|navigational beacon]] signal, using a technology provided by military intelligence operatives of the [[apartheid]] government. <ref name="TRC">{{cite web | title = Special Investigation into the death of President Samora Machel | work = [[Truth and Reconciliation Commission]] Report, vol.2, chapter 6a| url = http://www.news24.com/Content_Display/TRC_Report/2chap6a.htm| accessdate = June 18 | accessyear = 2006 }}</ref>
Machel's successor, [[Joaquim Chissano]], continued the reforms and began peace talks with RENAMO. The new constitution enacted in 1990 provided for a multi-party political system, market-based economy, and free elections. The civil war ended in October 1992 with the [[Rome General Peace Accords]], brokered by the [[Community of Sant'Egidio]]. Under supervision of the ONUMOZ peacekeeping force of the [[United Nations]], peace returned to Mozambique.
By mid-1995 the more than 1.7 million Mozambican refugees who had sought asylum in neighboring [[Malawi]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Swaziland]], [[Zambia]], [[Tanzania]], and South Africa as a result of war and drought had returned, as part of the largest repatriation witnessed in Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, a further estimated 4 million internally displaced persons returned to their areas of origin.
== Administrative Divisions ==
{{main|Provinces of Mozambique|Districts of Mozambique}}
Mozambique is divided into 10 [[province]]s (''provincias'') and 1 capital city (''cidade'') with provincial status. The [[provinces]] in their whole have 129 [[district]]s (''distritos'').
{| border="0"
|style="vertical-align: middle;"|
# [[Cabo Delgado Province|Cabo Delgado]]
# [[Gaza Province|Gaza]]
# [[Inhambane Province|Inhambane]]
# [[Manica Province|Manica]]
# [[Maputo]] (city)
# [[Maputo Province|Maputo]]
# [[Nampula Province|Nampula]]
# [[Niassa Province|Niassa]]
# [[Sofala Province|Sofala]]
# [[Tete Province|Tete]]
# [[Zambezia Province|Zambezia]]
|width="230" style="vertical-align: middle;"|[[دوتنه:Mozambique Provinces numbered 300px.png|right|200px|Map of Mozambique with the province highlighted]]
|}
Districts: see [[Districts of Mozambique]]
== Politics ==
<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series-->
{{morepolitics|country=Mozambique}}
Mozambique is a multi-party [[democracy]] under the 1990 [[constitution]]. The executive branch comprises a president, [[Heads of Government of Mozambique|prime minister]], and Council of Ministers. There is a [[Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique|National Assembly]] and municipal assemblies. The judiciary comprises a Supreme Court and provincial, district, and municipal courts. [[Suffrage]] is universal at 18.
In 1994 the country held its first [[Elections in Mozambique|democratic elections]]. Joaquim Chissano was elected President with 53% of the vote, and a 250-member National Assembly was voted in with 129 [[FRELIMO]] deputies, 112 [[RENAMO]] deputies, and 9 representatives of three smaller parties that formed the [[Democratic Union]] (UD). Since its formation in 1994, the National Assembly has made progress in becoming a body increasingly more independent of the executive. By 1999, more than one-half (53%) of the legislation passed originated in the Assembly.
After some delays, in 1998 the country held its first local elections to provide for local representation and some budgetary authority at the municipal level. The principal opposition party, RENAMO, boycotted the local elections, citing flaws in the registration process. Independent slates contested the elections and won seats in municipal assemblies. Turnout was very low.
In the aftermath of the 1998 local elections, the government resolved to make more accommodations to the opposition's procedural concerns for the second round of multiparty national elections in 1999. Working through the National Assembly, the electoral law was rewritten and passed by consensus in December 1998. Financed largely by international donors, a very successful voter registration was conducted from July to September 1999, providing voter registration cards to 85% of the potential electorate (more than 7 million voters).
The second general elections were held December 3-5, 1999, with high [[voter turnout]]. International and domestic observers agreed that the voting process was well organized and went smoothly. Both the opposition and observers subsequently cited flaws in the tabulation process that, had they not occurred, might have changed the outcome. In the end, however, international and domestic observers concluded that the close result of the vote reflected the will of the people.
President Chissano won the presidency with a margin of 4% points over the RENAMO-Electoral Union coalition candidate, Afonso Dhlakama, and began his 5-year term in January 2000. FRELIMO increased its majority in the National Assembly with 133 out of 250 seats. RENAMO-UE coalition won 116 seats, one went independent, and no third parties are represented.
The opposition coalition did not accept the National Election Commission's results of the presidential vote and filed a formal complaint to the Supreme Court. One month after the voting, the court dismissed the opposition's challenge and validated the election results. The opposition did not file a complaint about the results of the legislative vote.
The second local elections, involving 33 municipalities with some 2.4 million registered voters, took place in November 2003. This was the first time that FRELIMO, RENAMO-UE, and independent parties competed without significant boycotts. The 24% turnout was well above the 15% turnout in the first municipal elections. FRELIMO won 28 mayoral positions and the majority in 29 municipal assemblies, while RENAMO won 5 mayoral positions and the majority in 4 municipal assemblies. The voting was conducted in an orderly fashion without violent incidents. However, the period immediately after the elections was marked by objections about voter and candidate registration and vote tabulation, as well as calls for greater transparency.
[[دوتنه:Armando_Guebuza_2005.jpg|thumb|left|Mozambique's president, Armando Guebuza]]
In May 2004, the government approved a new general elections law that contained innovations based on the experience of the 2003 municipal elections.
Presidential and National Assembly elections took place on December 1-2, 2004. FRELIMO candidate Armando Guebuza won with 64% of the popular vote. His opponent, Afonso Dhlakama of RENAMO, received 32% of the popular vote. FRELIMO won 160 seats in Parliament. A coalition of RENAMO and several small parties won the 90 remaining seats. Armando Guebuza was inaugurated as the President of Mozambique on February 2, 2005. RENAMO and some other opposition parties made claims of election fraud and denounced the result. These claims were supported by international observers (among others by the European Union Election Observation Mission to Mozambique and the Carter Center) to the elections who criticized the fact that the National Electoral Commission (CNE) did not conduct fair and transparent elections. They listed a whole range of shortcomings by the electoral authorities that benefited the ruling party FRELIMO. However, the elections shortcomings have probably not (also according to EU observers) affected the final result in the presidential election. The pronounced outcome of the parliamentary election and thus the distribution of seats in the National Assembly does not reflect the will of the Mozambican people and is clearly to the disadvantage of RENAMO.
=== Foreign relations ===
<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series-->
While allegiances dating back to the liberation struggle remain relevant, Mozambique's foreign policy has become increasingly pragmatic. The twin pillars of Mozambique's foreign policy are maintenance of good relations with its neighbors and maintenance and expansion of ties to development partners.
During the 1970s and early 1980s, Mozambique's foreign policy was inextricably linked to the struggles for majority rule in [[Rhodesia]] and South Africa as well as superpower competition and the Cold War. Mozambique's decision to enforce UN sanctions against Rhodesia and deny that country access to the sea led [[Ian Smith]]'s regime to undertake overt and covert actions to destabilize the country. Although the change of government in Zimbabwe in 1980 removed this threat, the [[apartheid]] regime in South Africa continued to finance the destabilization of Mozambique. It also belonged to the [[Front Line States]].
The 1984 [[Nkomati Accord]], while failing in its goal of ending South African support to RENAMO, opened initial diplomatic contacts between the Mozambican and South African governments. This process gained momentum with South Africa's elimination of apartheid, which culminated in the establishment of full diplomatic relations in October 1993. While relations with neighboring Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania show occasional strains, Mozambique's ties to these countries remain strong. The ruler of Mozambique from then on was Anthony Quaranta
In the years immediately following its independence, Mozambique benefited from considerable assistance from some western countries, notably the [[Scandinavia]]ns. [[USSR]] and its allies, however, became Mozambique's primary economic, military, and political supporters and its foreign policy reflected this linkage. This began to change in 1983; in 1984 Mozambique joined the [[World Bank]] and [[International Monetary Fund]]. Western aid quickly replaced Soviet support, with the Scandinavians countries of Sweden (EU Member since 1996), Norway, Denmark (EU Member since 1973) and Iceland. Plus Finland (EU Member since 1996) and the Netherlands within the European Union are becoming increasingly important sources of development assistance. Italy also maintains a profile in Mozambique as a result of its key role during the peace process. Relations with Portugal, the former colonial power, continue to play an important role as Portuguese investors play a visible role in Mozambique's economy.
Mozambique is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and ranks among the moderate members of the African Bloc in the United Nations and other international organizations. Mozambique also belongs to the [[African Union]] (formerly the [[Organization of African Unity]]) and the [[Southern African Development Community]]. In 1994, the Government became a full member of the [[Organization of the Islamic Conference]], in part to broaden its base of international support but also to please the country's sizable Muslim population. Similarly, in early 1996 Mozambique joined its [[Anglophone]] neighbors in the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]. It is the only nation to join the Commonwealth that was never part of the [[British Empire]]. In the same year, Mozambique became a founding member and the first President of the [[Community of Portuguese Language Countries]] (CPLP), and maintains close ties with other [[Lusophone]] states.
{{seealso|Foreign relations of Mozambique}}
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Mozambique_albinos.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A rare sight of [[albinos]] in Mozambique]] -->
== Economy ==
[[دوتنه:Women_in_Mozambique_with_maize.jpg|thumb|Women in Mozambique with maize]]
{{main|Economy of Mozambique}}
[[وېشنيزه:د افریقایي اتحادیه غړي هیوادونه]]
The official currency is the Metical (as of 2006, 1USD is roughly equivalent to 27 Meticais). US Dollars, Rands and more recently Euros are also widely accepted and used in current business transactions. The minimum legal salary is around 60USD/month.
[[وېشنيزه:موزمبېق| ]]
=== Rebounding growth ===
The resettlement of [[war refugee]]s and successful economic reform have led to a high growth rate: the average growth rate from 1993 to 1999 was 6.7%; from 1997 to 1999, it averaged more than 10% per year. The devastating floods of early 2000 slowed GDP growth to a 2.1%. A full recovery was achieved with growth of 14.8% in 2001. In 2003, the growth rate was 7%. The government projects the economy to continue to expand between 7%-10% a year for the next 5 years, although rapid expansion in the future hinges on several major foreign investment projects, continued economic reform, and the revival of the agriculture, transportation, and tourism sectors. More than 75% of the population engages in small scale agriculture, which still suffers from inadequate infrastructure, commercial networks, and investment. However, 88% of Mozambique's arable land is still uncultivated.
=== Low inflation ===
The government's tight control of spending and the money supply, combined with financial sector reform, successfully reduced [[inflation]] from 70% in 1994 to less than 5% from 1998-99. Economic disruptions stemming from the devastating floods of 2000 caused inflation to jump to 12.7% that year, and it was 13% in 2003. The value of Mozambique's currency, the [[Mozambican metical|Metical]], lost nearly 50% of its value against the dollar since December 2000, although in late 2001 it began to stabilize. Since then, it has held steady at about [[Mozambican metical|MZN]] 24,000 to U.S.$1 but now $1 is 27 MZN.
=== New Metical ===
It is planned to introduce a new Metical in July 2006. 1000 old metecais = 1 new Metical. $1 U.S. = 27 Meticals.
Both currencies will circulate until December 31, 2006. After that the old currency will not be valid but it will be redeemed by the Bank of Mozambique until the end of 2012.
=== Extensive economic reform ===
Economic reform has been extensive. More than 1,200 [[Nationalization|state-owned enterprises]] (mostly small) have been [[privatized]]. Preparations for privatization and/or sector liberalization are underway for the remaining parastatals, including telecommunications, electricity, ports, and the railroads. The government frequently selects a strategic foreign investor when privatizing a parastatal. Additionally, customs duties have been reduced, and customs management has been streamlined and reformed. The government introduced a highly successful value-added tax in 1999 as part of its efforts to increase domestic revenues. Plans for 2003-04 include Commercial Code reform; comprehensive judicial reform; financial sector strengthening; continued civil service reform; and improved government budget, audit, and inspection capability.
=== Improving trade imbalance ===
Imports remain almost 40% greater than exports, but this is a significant improvement over the 4:1 ratio of the immediate post-war years. In 2003, imports were $1.24 billion and exports were $910 million. Support programs provided by foreign donors and private financing of foreign direct investment mega-projects and their associated raw materials, have largely compensated for balance-of-payments shortfalls. The medium-term outlook for exports is encouraging, since a number of foreign investment projects should lead to substantial export growth and a better trade balance. MOZAL, a large aluminum smelter that commenced production in mid-2000, has greatly expanded the nation's trade volume. Traditional Mozambican exports include cashews, shrimp, fish, copra, sugar, cotton, tea, and citrus fruits. Most of these industries are being rehabilitated. As well, Mozambique is less dependent on imports for basic food and manufactured goods because of steady increases in local production.
[[دوتنه:Mozambique_-_traditional_sailboat.jpg|thumb|Traditional fishingboat in Mozambique]]
=== SADC trade protocol ===
== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Mozambique}}
Mozambique's major [[ethnic group]]s encompass numerous subgroups with diverse languages, dialects, cultures, and histories. Many are linked to similar ethnic groups living in neighboring countries. The north-central provinces of Zambezia and Nampula are the most populous, with about 45% of the population. The estimated 4 million [[Makua]] are the dominant group in the northern part of the country - the [[Sena people|Sena]] and [[Ndau]] are prominent in the Zambezi valley, and the [[Shangaan|Shangaan (Tsonga)]] dominate in southern Mozambique. Other groups include [[Makonde]], [[WaYao|Yao]], [[Swahili people|Swahili]], [[Tonga people|Tonga]], [[Chopi people|Chopi]], [[Shona people|Shona]], and [[Nguni]] (including [[Zulu]]). The country has also a small number of [[Caucasian race|Caucasian]] residents, largely [[Europe]]ans of [[Portugal|Portuguese]] ancestry. During Portuguese colonial rule, a large minority of Mozamibicans of Portuguese descent lived permanently in almost all areas of Mozambique, and Mozambicans with Portuguese citizenship at the time of independence was about 250,000. Most of these left the region after its freedom in [[1975]]. There is also a small ''[[mestizo|mestiço]]'' minority of Mozambicans with mixed Bantu and Portuguese heritage. The remaining Caucasians in Mozambique claim heritage from [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Portuguese India]] and [[Arab]] countries. There are also some 7,000 [[overseas Chinese|Chinese]].
Despite the influence of Islamic coastal traders and European colonizers, the people of Mozambique have largely retained an indigenous culture based on small-scale agriculture. Mozambique's most highly developed art forms have been wood sculpture, for which the [[Makonde]] in northern Mozambique are particularly renowned, and dance. The middle and upper classes continue to be heavily influenced by the Portuguese colonial and linguistic heritage.
[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] is the official and most widely spoken language of the nation, because Bantus speak several of their different languages (most widely used of these are [[Swahili language|Swahili]], [[Makua language|Makua]], [[Sena language|Sena]], [[Ndau language|Ndau]], and [[Tsonga language|Shangaan]] — these have many Portuguese-origin words), but 40% of all people speak it — 31%, mostly Bantus, as their second language and only 9%, mostly pure-blooded Portuguese and mestiços, speak it as their first language. Arabs, Chinese, and Indians speak their own languages (Indians from Portuguese India speak any of the [[Portuguese Creole]]s of their origin) aside from Portuguese as their second language. Most educated Mozambicans speak [[English language|English]], which is used in schools and business as second or third language.
During the colonial era, [[Christian]] missionaries were active in Mozambique, and many foreign clergy remain in the country. According to the national census, about 20%-30% of the population is Christian (with Catholicism as the largest denomination), 15%-20% is Muslim, and the remainder adheres to traditional beliefs.
Among the main [[Protestant]] churches are [[Baptist|Igreja União Baptista de Moçambique]], the [[Assemblies of God|Assembleias de Deus]], the [[Seventh-day Adventists]], the [[Anglican Communion|Anglican Church]] of Mozambique, the [[Gospel|Igreja do Evangelho Completo de Deus]], the [[Methodist|Igreja Metodista Unida]], the [[Presbyterian|Igreja Presbiteriana de Moçambique]], the [[Christ|Igreja de Cristo]] and the [[Pentecostal|Assembleia Evangélica de Deus]]. The [[Roman-Catholic]] church established three archdioceses ([[Beira]], [[Maputo]] and [[Nampula]]).
=== Education ===
{{main|Education in Mozambique}}
Under Portugal, educational opportunities for poor Mozambicans were limited; 93% of the Bantu population was illiterate, and many could not speak Portuguese. In fact, most of today's political leaders were educated in missionary schools. After independence, the government placed a high priority on expanding education, which reduced the illiteracy rate to about two-thirds as primary school enrollment increased. Unfortunately, in recent years school construction and teacher training enrollments have not kept up with population increases. With post-war enrollments reaching all-time highs, the quality of education has suffered. As a member of [[Commonwealth of Nations]], most urban Mozambicans are required to learn English starting high-school.
== Culture ==
=== Religion ===
According to the [[1997]] Second General Population and Housing [[Census]], the religions of the polled population were as follows. 24.2% Claimed to be [[Roman Catholic]], while 24.25% claimed to not be affiliated with a religion (many of these perhaps maintain cultural bonds with [[Animism]] or tribal religions). 17.8% of the population were cited as [[Islam|Muslims]], 11.45% as other non-Catholic Christians (mostly different [[Protestantism|Protestants]]), 18.7% as [[Zionism (southern African religion)|Zionists]], and 3.6% as "other".
The wide range of religious affiliations can be partially attributed to the wide range of influences in the country, from the more Protestant South African churches' influence in Southern Mozambique, and the Portuguese Catholic influence, traditional tribal religions, and historic Muslim ties.
* [[Reporters without borders]] Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2002: Rank 70 out of 139 countries
* [[Transportation in Mozambique]]
* [[Liga dos Escuteiros de Moçambique]]
== Miscellaneous ==
* [[Communications in Mozambique]]
* [[List of conservation areas of Mozambique]]
* [[Public holidays in Mozambique]]
* [[Military of Mozambique]]
* [[Reporters without borders]] Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2002: Rank 70 out of 139 countries
* [[Transport in Mozambique]]
* [[Liga dos Escuteiros de Moçambique]]
== References ==
<references/>
{{factbook}}
[http://www.ine.gov.mz National Statistics Institute]
== Books ==
* Afonso, Aniceto and Gomes, Carlos de Matos, ''Guerra Colonial'', 2000
== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|Mozambique}}
* [http://www2.unil.ch/lefaitmissionnaire/pages/resources-mozambique.html Religion in Mozambique]
=== Government ===
* [http://www.mozambique.mz/ Republic of Mozambique] official government site
* [http://www.misau.gov.mz Health Ministry]
* [http://portal.mct.gov.mz Science and Technology Portal]
* [http://www.inp.gov.mz National Petroleum Institute]
=== Observing Politics ===
* [http://http://www.mozambique.mz/awepa/issues.htm Mozambique Political Process Bulletin]
* [http://www.cartercenter.org/doc1999.htm Postelection Statement on Mozambique 2004 Elections by the Carter Center]
* [http://www.kas.de/upload/auslandshomepages/election-moza_final-report.pdf Final Report of the European Union Election Observation Mission]
=== News ===
* [http://www.poptel.org.uk/mozambique-news The Mozambique News Agency - AIM Reports]
* [http://www.sortmoz.com/aimnews/ Agência de Informação de Moçambique]
* [http://http://www.zambeze.co.mz/zambeze/ Independent Weekly from Maputo in Portuguese]
=== Forums ===
* [http://www.maputo.co.mz/forum The most popular Forum in Mozambique]
* [http://www.mozambig-forum.com/ MozamBIG-Forum.com - The best place to discuss Mozambique] (in Portuguese)
* [http://imensis.net/forum/ Imensis Comunity Forum]
=== Overviews ===
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1063120.stm BBC News Country Profile - ''Mozambique'']
* [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/mz.html CIA World Factbook - ''Mozambique'']
* [http://www.professores.uff.br/hjbortol/arquivo/2006.1/applets/mozambique_en.html Mozambique's location on a 3D globe (Java)]
=== Directories ===
* [http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/Mozambique/ Open Directory Project - ''Mozambique''] directory category
* [http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/moz.html Stanford University - Africa South of the Sahara: ''Mozambique''] directory category
* [http://www.afrika.no/index/Countries/Mozambique/ The Index on Africa - ''Mozambique''] directory category
* [http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Country_Specific/Mozambique.html University of Pennsylvania - African Studies Center: ''Mozambique''] directory category
* [http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Mozambique/ Yahoo! - ''Mozambique''] directory category
=== Tourism ===
* {{wikitravel}}
:''"Mozambique" is also the name given to a style of music from the 1960s, an advanced [[rumba]] by [[Pello El AfroKán]].''
{{CPLP}}
{{Africa}}
[[وېشنيزه:African Union member states]]
[[وېشنيزه:Portuguese-speaking countries]]
[[وېشنيزه:East Africa]]
[[وېشنيزه:Former Portuguese colonies]]
[[وېشنيزه:Mozambique| ]]
[[وېشنيزه:Peace and Security Council]]
[[وېشنيزه:1975 establishments]]
[[af:Mosambiek]]
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