Mozambique was formerly a Portuguese colony until the year 1975 when there was a war over- throwing the Portuguese government.  At that time a Marxist regime took over and Mozambique was a communist government.  This was very problematic and eventually there was a civil war to oust the communist rule.  This war was very horrific causing a massive exodus of refugees, killing of not only soldiers, but women and children and a general devastation of the country.  This was was over in 1992 and the country has begun to be rebuilt.  Mozambique is plagued not only by the ruins of war, but by disease, floods, poverty and children left orphaned.  Progress is coming at a very slow pace made difficult by a government that is still corrupt, extreme poverty (formerly the poorest country in the world), ignorance and  a plethora of darkness caused by superstition, animistic beliefs, and a lack of the Light of the gospel penetrating the fabric of the society.  During the Marxist regime, missionaries were ousted and Christianity was basically banned.  At this point there is a window of opportunity available for Christianity to have an impact even though there are many obstacles.

Name:

Republic of Mozambique

Independence:

25 June 1975

Head of State:

Joaquim Alberto Chissano

Political System:

Multiparty (1990 Constitution)

National Assembly:

250 seats (general elections 1994 )

Location:

Mozambique has a strategic location along the eastern coast of Southern Africa, and, is the gateway to 6 hinterland countries

Area:

799 390 km² (13 000 km² of inland waters)

Population:

15 740 000 (1997 Census)

Climate:

From sub tropical to tropical (south to north)

Capital:

Maputo City (status of a province)

Provinces:

Cabo Delgado, Niassa, Nampula, Tete, Zambezia, Manica, Sofala, Inhambane, Gaza, Maputo

Languages:

Portuguese (official)
13 main national languages (Emakhuwa, Xitsonga, Ciyao, Cisena, Cishona, Echuwabo, Cinyanja, Xironga, Shimaconde, Cinyungue, Cicopi, Bitonga, Kiswahili)
English (taught in secondary school)

Religions:

African traditional, Christian (Roman Catholic and Protestant), Moslem, Hindu

Natural resources:

Hydroelectric energy, gas, coal, minerals, timber, farming land

Main exports:

Prawns, cotton, cashew, sugar, tea, copra

Currency:

Metical (MT)

Exchange rate:

US$1=12,383 MT (January 1999)

GDP per capita:

US$ 128 (1997)

GDP growth:

8% (1997)

Inflation rate:

5.9% (1997)

Visas:

Entry visas can be arranged, in advance, through Mozambican diplomatic missions abroad or directly at the National Immigration Directorate (NID) in Maputo. Working and resident visas must be arranged through NID.