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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, and a new constitution the following
year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy.
A UN-negotiated peace agreement with rebel forces ended the fighting
in 1992.
Area: 801,590 sq km
Population: 19,371,057
Ethnic groups: indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan,
Chokwe, Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans
0.2%, Indians 0.08%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim
20%
Languages: Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 42.3%
male: 58.4%
female: 27% (1998 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 13.22% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.2 million (1999
est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 98,000 (1999 est.)
Capital: Maputo
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular
- provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula,
Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of
Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or Frelimo [Joaquim
Alberto CHISSANO, chairman]; Mozambique National Resistance - Electoral
Union (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana - Uniao Eleitoral) or Renamo-UE
[Afonso DHLAKAMA, president]
Economy - overview: Before the peace accord of October 1992,
Mozambique's economy was devastated by a protracted civil war and
socialist mismanagement. In 1994, it ranked as one of the poorest
countries in the world. Since then, Mozambique has undertaken a
series of economic reforms. Almost all aspects of the economy have
been liberalized to some extent. More than 900 state enterprises
have been privatized. A value-added tax, introduced in 1999, launched
the government's comprehensive tax reform program. Pending are much
needed commercial code reform and greater private sector involvement
in the transportation, telecommunications, and energy sectors. Since
1996, inflation has been low and foreign exchange rates relatively
stable. Albeit from a small base, Mozambique's economy grew at an
annual 10% rate in 1997-99, one of the highest growth rates in the
world. Growth slowed and inflation rose in 2000 due to devastating
flooding in the early part of the year. Both indicators should recover
in 2001. The country depends on foreign assistance to balance the
budget and to pay for a trade imbalance in which imports greatly
outnumber exports. The trade situation should improve in the medium
term, however, as trade and transportation links to South Africa
and the rest of the region have been improved and sizeable foreign
investments are beginning to materialize. Among these investments
are metal production (aluminum, steel), natural gas, power generation,
agriculture, fishing, timber, and transportation services. Mozambique
has received a formal cancellation of a large portion of its external
debt through an IMF initiative and is scheduled to receive additional
relief.
Population below poverty line: 70% (2000 est.)
Currency: metical
Information taken from the CIA
world factbook.
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