|RNature and climate:|N Low swampy coastal plains with many lagoons. In north and northwest i highlandplateau at about 1000 m.a.s.l.
Tropical climate with an average temperature between 20 and 27°C throughout the year by the coast, and about 5°C less in the interior.
Mainly savannahs but vast forests in the northern mountains.
Percipitation 400 mm in the south and 2000 mm in the north.
|RPeople:|N Many different Bantu-tribes.
|REconomy:|N 85% of the labour force is occupied in agriculture, 9% in industry and trade and 2% in services.
Most important crops are cashews, cotton, sugar, copra and tea.
More than 100 000 men from Mozambique work in South Africa and the money they send home is very important for the economy.
Mozambique have big resources of hydro electric power and the export of electricity to the neighbouring countries is extensive.
Mozambique also have many minerals such as coal, titanium, beryllium, bauxite, iron ore, natural gas and oil.
Most manufacturing is aimed at developing the agricultural resources.
|RHistory:|N The fertile land of Mozambique has been inhabited by different bantu-tribes since pre-historic times. From about 1000 BC they traded with arabic traders that dominated the coastal area.
In 1498 Vasco da Gama landed close to the outlet of River Zambezi and in 1505 the first Portuguese trading stations were settled.
During the 16th and 17th centuries the Portuguese conquered the whole costal area from the Arabs and the trade with slaves, gold and ivory flourished. Portuguese settlers established very large and independent plantations and even taxed people.
In 1919 a part of German East Africa was made a part of Mozambique and the Portuguese government took control over the area from the private companies that until then had ruled.
In 1951 Mozambique was declared a province of Portugal and in 1962 the liberation movement Frelimo was founded.
In 1975 Mozambique became an independent country. Most European settlers leaved Mozambique at independence and the Frelimo government adopted a socialist policy of nationalized land and industry.
From 1986 the ties to the communist world has been loosened and some private businesses have been allowed.
In the 1980:s severe drought burdened the country and caused famine and loss of many lives.
In 1992 an even worse drought brought the whole nation to a stand still and millions of people became dependent on outside help for surviving.
First free elections in 17 years held in October 1994.
