Where Is Mozambique and What
Is It Known For?

Answer:

Aerial view of small tropical island off the coast of Mozambique.

Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique, lies on the east coast of southern Africa. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest.

The area was explored by Vasco da Gama in 1498 and colonized by Portugal in 1505. Mozambique became independent in 1975, and became the People's Republic of Mozambique shortly after. It was the scene of an intense civil war lasting from 1977 to 1992.

The land is mainly a savanna plateau drained by the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers, which highlands to the north. Most of the population lives on the coast or in the river valleys. In general the climate is tropical with winter rainfall, but droughts occur. The economy is based on subsistence agriculture. Exports include shrimps, cashews, cotton and sugar, but Mozambique relies heavily on aid, and remains one of the least developed countries in the world. However, endowed with rich and extensive natural resources, Mozambique's present day economy is one of huge potential.