Mozambique
General Information for Mozambique
Geo-political:
Capital City: Maputo.
Nationality: (noun) Mozambican, (adjective) Mozambican.
Population: 21,669,278.
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 258.
Number of Internal Airports: 23.
Major Languages Spoken: Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spoken by 27% of population
as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages
32%, other foreign languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3% (1997 census).
Economy:
Currency: 1 () of .
Main Industries: Food, beverages, chemicals (soap, paints), aluminium, petroleum products, textiles,
cement, glass, asbestos and tobacco.
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Other Maritime Claims: Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 2,470 km.
Climate: Tropical to subtropical.
Natural Resources: Coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum and graphite.
Natural Hazards: Severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces.
Terrain: Mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in centre, high plateaus in northwest, mountains
in west.
MEDICAL:
Hospital facilities are generally poor in Mozambique, especially in the north of the
country. In cases of serious illness or injury, medical evacuation to South Africa
or Europe may be necessary.
In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated
that around 1,200,000 adults aged 15 or over in Mozambique were living with HIV; the
prevalence percentage was estimated at around 11.5% of the adult population compared
to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. Exercise normal precautions
to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
All travellers entering Mozambique who have been to any country where yellow fever
is known to exist (as listed by the World Health Organisation) must present a valid
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on arrival. If you cannot present a valid certificate
on entry you may need to be vaccinated at your expense (approx. USD55).
Also see
General
TIME:
Local time GMT plus 2 hours throughout.
HOLIDAYS:
1 January; 2 March; 1 and 10 June; 15 August; 5 October; 1 November; 1 December; 8
December; 25 December. Cargo handling can be arranged on these days.
WEATHER/TIDES:
During the rainy season (November to April) widespread flooding around river basins,
especially the Zambezi, is likely. Monitor local reports and check your routes before
travelling.
The coastal areas of central Mozambique have a risk of cyclones during the rainy season,
which normally runs from November to April.
Also see
General
SHORE LEAVE:
Street crime, sometimes involving knives and firearms, is common in Maputo and is
increasing in other cities and tourist destinations. Bag-snatching and pick-pocketing
are also problems. Be vigilant at all times. Beaches or offshore islands are not policed.
Avoid walking alone at night. Avoid displaying valuables or money.
Also see
General
REPATRIATION:
Since 21 April 2011, the European Commission has an operating ban on all air carriers
certified in Mozambique. The only exception to this ban is the LAM route between Lisbon
and Maputo which uses aircraft supplied and operated by a Portuguese airline. The
ban follows an audit of Mozambique carried out by ICAO in January 2010. The EU ban
was imposed because the Mozambican regulatory authority was unable to verify that
these airlines comply with international safety standards.
Also see
General
IDENTIFICATION CARDS:
It is a legal requirement to carry original identity documents at all times and present
them upon request to the authorities. Police patrols and checkpoints are common. Do
not hand over your passport to anyone other than an official for inspection. Ask to
see an official’s ID if in doubt. Ensure your documents are returned to you.
Also see
General
GENERAL:
Information obtained from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office website. Updates available
from
http://www.fco.gov.uk
