Background: Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites economic dependence on South Africa a severe drought and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development. The ruling party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989.

Land boundaries:

Coastline: 2,470 km

Maritime claims
Extended economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical to subtropical

Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west

Natural resources: coal, titanium

Land use: 4% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 56% meadows and pastures; 20% forest and woodland; 20% other; includes NEGL% irrigated

Population: 14,275,301 (July 1989), growth rate 1.8% (1989)

Nationality: noun - Mozambican(s; adjective - Mozambican

Ethnic groups: majority from indigenous tribal groups; about 10,000 Europeans, 35,000 Euro-Africans, 15,000 Indians

Languages: Portuguese (official; many indigenous dialects

Religions: 60% indigenous beliefs, 30% Christian, 10% Muslim

Birth rate: 47 births/1000 population (1989)

Death rate: 18 deaths/1000 population (1989)

Net migration rate: - 10 migrants/1000 population (1989)

Environment
Current issues: severe drought and floods occur in south; desertification geoad0.gif" border="0" geoad1

Infant mortality rate: 142 deaths/1000 live births (1989)

Life expectancy at birth: 45 years male, 48 years female (1989)

Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1989)

Literacy: 14%

Country name: conventional long form: People's Republic of Mozambique

Government type: people's republic

Capital: Maputo

Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia

Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday: Independence Day, 25 June (1975)

Constitution: 25 June 1975

Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law

Suffrage: universal adult

Executive branch: Chief of State - President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November 1986; Head of Government - Prime Minister Mario da Graca MACHUNGO (since 17 July 1986)

Legislative branch: Mozambique Armed Forces (including Army, Border Guard, Naval Command, Air Force)

International organization participation: AfDB, CCC, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation
In the us: Ambassador Valeriano FERRAO; Chancery at Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington DC 20,036; telephone (202) 293-7,146; US - Ambassador Melissa F. WELLS; Embassy at 3rd Floor, 35 Rua Da Mesquita, Maputo (mailing address is P. O. Box 783, Maputo; telephone 743,167 or 744,163

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book

Economy overview: One of Africa's poorest countries, Mozambique has a per capita GDP of under $100. The nation has failed to exploit the economic potential of its large agricultural, hydropower, and transportation resources. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, accounting for nearly 50% of GDP and for a major share of exports. Industry contributes roughly 10% to GDP, depending heavily upon agricultural products for processing. Over the past decade the economy has experienced a dramatic deterioration. After growing at more than 2% annually during the period 1977-81, GDP declined at an annual rate of 8% between 1981 and 1986. Agricultural output is at only 75% of its 1981 level, and grain has to be imported. Problems persist, with industry operating at only 20-40% of capacity, and the economy is heavily dependent upon foreign assistance to stay afloat.

Agriculture products: cash crops - cotton, cashew nuts, sugar, tea, copra, sisal, rice; other crops - corn, wheat, peanuts, potatoes, beans, sorghum, cassava

Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum products, textiles, nonmetallic mineral products (cement, glass, asbestos), tobacco

Industrial production growth rate: 5.7% (1987)

Labor force: NA, but 90% engaged in agriculture

Unemployment rate: 25% (1987 est.)

Budget: revenues $122 million; expenditures $321 million, including capital expenditures of $64 million (1987 est.)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Exports: $85.9 million (f.o.b., 1987 est.)
Commodities: shrimp 48%, cashews 21%, sugar 10%, copra 3%, citrus 3%
Partners: US, Western Europe, GDR, Japan

Imports: $642 million (c.i.f., 1987 est.), including aid
Commodities: food, clothing, farm equipment, petroleum
Partners: US, Western Europe, USSR

Debt external: $1.7 billion (December 1987)

Exchange rates: meticais (Mt) per US$1 - 645 (January 1989), 404 (June 1987), NA (1986), NA (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: 2,263,000 kW capacity; 1,741 million kWh produced, 120 kWh per capita (1988)

Military expenditures
Dollar figure: $74 million, 34.6% of central government budget (1987)

Airports: 214 total, 171 usable; 27 with permanent-surface runways; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 30 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Pipelines: 306 km crude oil (not operating; 289 km refined products

Waterways: about 3,750 km of navigable routes

Merchant marine: 5 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,329 GRT/12,698 DWT