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Mozambique
Africa
Located on the southeast coast, Mozambique is known for its long Indian Ocean coastline. It has vast natural gas reserves but faces economic challenges.
34,000,000
Population
801,590
Area (km²)
Maputo
Capital
24
Historical Events
Historical Timeline
Cities
24 Events
September 22, 2025 - The 10th Mozambique Gas & Energy Summit convenes in Maputo, focusing on LNG expansion and investments amid global energy shifts.
August 03, 2025 - July 14–August 3: The Islamic State-Mozambique (ISM) insurgency expands southward, with attacks in Nampula and Cabo Delgado killing dozens; business pressures mount to reopen the N380 highway.
August 01, 2025 - The UN issues a "Cost of Inaction" report, warning of worsening humanitarian needs for 2.5 million people in 2025 due to conflict and climate shocks.
July 03, 2025 - June 25–July 3: A cholera outbreak, ongoing since October 2024, reports nearly 4,500 cases and surges due to poor access to clean water; the government declares a health emergency.
June 24, 2025 - June 11–24: Nationwide celebrations mark 50 years of independence from Portugal, but are overshadowed by political turmoil, corruption allegations, and public discontent with FRELIMO's rule; opposition calls for reforms dominate discourse.
May 09, 2025 - Analysts warn of high risks of violent protests following Chapo's inauguration, with the Quad (U.S., Japan, India, Australia) urged to support stability amid insurgency and economic pressures.
March 24, 2025 - Mondlane meets Chapo for talks, leading to an amnesty agreement: release of political prisoners, compensation for victims' families, and dropping of legal cases against protesters, potentially ending the five-month uprising.
March 05, 2025 - Police fire on a Mondlane rally in Maputo, killing two and injuring 16, further escalating violence.
February 28, 2025 - February 27–28: Amnesty International reports over 300 protester deaths since October 2024, including 10 children, and calls for investigations; the UN highlights Mozambique's "triple crisis" of conflict, climate disasters, and socioeconomic woes.
January 24, 2025 - January 22–24: Chapo forms his cabinet; he sacks Police Chief Bernardino Rafael for excessive force during protests, a concession to opposition demands.
January 15, 2025 - January 9–15: Protests resume after a brief suspension; police use tear gas on Mondlane supporters, resulting in seven protester deaths; Daniel Chapo is inaugurated as president on January 15 amid heightened tensions and boycotts.
December 26, 2024 - Post-election violence intensifies, killing 125 people in three days; over 6,000 inmates escape from a prison in Nampula amid riots, exacerbating chaos.
December 22, 2024 - Cyclone Chido makes landfall, killing at least 120 people, displacing thousands, and causing widespread flooding in Inhambane and Gaza provinces; the Constitutional Court upholds FRELIMO's election victory the same day.
November 07, 2024 - A massive anti-FRELIMO march draws 1.5 million participants in Maputo, the largest in the country's history, demanding fresh elections and an end to alleged fraud.
October 24, 2024 - FRELIMO is confirmed as the landslide winner in the disputed election; protests erupt nationwide, leading to clashes with police and at least 11 protester deaths.
October 19, 2024 - Two prominent opposition figures, PODEMOS lawyer Elvino Dias and spokesperson Paulo Guambe, are brutally killed in Maputo, sparking outrage and fears of targeted assassinations.
October 09, 2024 - General elections occur amid allegations of fraud; FRELIMO's Daniel Chapo is declared president-elect with 65% of the vote, while opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane (PODEMOS) claims victory based on parallel counts.
August 08, 2024 - Former Finance Minister Manuel Chang is convicted in a U.S. court for plunder related to the "Tuna bonds" scandal, accepting bribes for approving secret $2 billion loans that burdened Mozambique with debt.
May 10, 2024 - President Filipe Nyusi reports that the northern town of Macomia is "under attack" by armed groups, escalating the jihadist insurgency in Cabo Delgado.
April 17, 2024 - Eight family members die in a separate boat capsizing in the same region, highlighting ongoing risks in maritime transport amid poverty and overcrowding.
April 09, 2024 - An overcrowded ferry capsizes off the coast near Lunga, killing at least 98 people and injuring dozens, one of the deadliest maritime disasters in recent history.
December 31, 2023 - Throughout the year: The Cabo Delgado conflict displaces over 850,000 people by year-end; human rights abuses persist, including extrajudicial killings and restrictions on freedoms, with the government facing criticism for inadequate humanitarian response.
October 01, 2023 - Municipal elections are marred by serious violence and intimidation, including clashes between supporters of rival parties and assaults on polling stations; at least 10 deaths are reported, underscoring electoral tensions ahead of 2024 general elections.
September 01, 2023 - ISIS-linked militants launch attacks on several villages in Nampula Province, expanding the insurgency beyond Cabo Delgado and displacing thousands; the group claims responsibility, highlighting the growing threat of jihadist violence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mozambique
100 Questions
Mozambique is in southeastern Africa, bordered by Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Eswatini, and the Indian Ocean.
The capital is Maputo, located in the south.
Around 36 million people as of 2025 estimates.
Portuguese is the official language; local languages include Makhuwa, Sena, and Tsonga.
Tropical to subtropical, with a rainy season (November–March) and a dry season (April–October).
The Mozambican metical (MZN).
Green, black, and yellow stripes with a red triangle featuring a star, book, hoe, and AK-47.
Maputo, Beira, Nampula, Chimoio, and Tete.
On June 25, 1975, from Portugal.
Samora Machel.
Filipe Nyusi (as of 2025).
A unitary presidential republic.
Makhuwa, Tsonga, Sena, Lomwe, Shangaan, and others.
Christianity (majority), followed by Islam and traditional beliefs.
Around $24 billion in 2025 estimates.
About $650.
Around 63%.
About 61 years.
Around 4.7 children per woman.
About 65%.
Aluminum, coal, natural gas, cashews, prawns, and sugar.
Machinery, fuel, food, and manufactured goods.
Coal, natural gas, titanium, graphite, and fertile land.
It has long Indian Ocean ports that connect landlocked countries like Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The capital, economic center, and port city.
A major port and transport hub for central Africa.
Northern Mozambique’s largest city, known for trade.
A coal-mining center.
Mount Binga (2,436 m).
It flows through Mozambique into the Indian Ocean, supporting hydropower and farming.
Rice, cassava, maize, beans, and seafood.
A dish of cassava leaves cooked with peanuts and coconut milk.
A spicy chicken dish popular in Mozambique and Portugal.
Palm wine, beer, cashew wine, and fruit juices.
Football, basketball, athletics, and swimming.
The Mambas.
Yes, several times, but has not won.
Not yet.
Maria Mutola (Olympic gold medalist in athletics) and Eusébio (footballer of Mozambican origin who played for Portugal).
Yes, winning medals in athletics.
Marrabenta, traditional drumming, reggae, and Afro-pop.
A popular dance music style blending traditional rhythms and modern instruments.
Drums, mbira (thumb piano), and marimba.
Mapiko, tufo, and marrabenta dance.
Capulana (colorful wrap cloth) for women, shirts and trousers for men.
They are central in farming and markets, though face gender inequality.
Around 56%.
Around 71%.
High, especially among youth.
Around 70%.
Cassava, maize, rice, sugarcane, and cashews.
Cattle, goats, and chickens.
Basic, with shortages of doctors and rural services.
HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, and cholera.
Around 11% of adults.
High, but improving.
Also high, due to poor healthcare access.
“Pátria Amada” (“Beloved Homeland”).
“Unity, Work, Vigilance.”
The African elephant.
The African fish eagle.
The frangipani.
Lions, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and diverse birdlife.
Gorongosa, Limpopo, and Niassa Reserves.
Biodiversity and elephant conservation.
Part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park shared with South Africa and Zimbabwe.
One of Africa’s largest reserves, home to lions and elephants.
Around 70%, higher than adults.
Around $650 annually.
High but slowly declining.
Around 40%, with most people in rural areas.
Mainly subsistence farmers and fishing communities.
Hydropower, natural gas, coal, and biomass.
Very high in hydro, solar, and wind.
Poverty and dependence on raw materials.
Corruption, insurgency in Cabo Delgado, and weak institutions.
An Islamist insurgency in northern Mozambique since 2017.
A former rebel group turned opposition party.
The ruling party since independence.
Supports security and development in Mozambique.
Provides humanitarian and peacekeeping support.
Former colonial power, maintains close ties.
Invests heavily in infrastructure and mining.
A key trading partner and labor destination.
Moderate to high, depending on fuel and food prices.
Moderate, highest in coastal regions.
Wood carving, basket weaving, and jewelry.
Famous wood carvings from the Makonde people.
Independence Day (June 25), Marrabenta Festival, and local dances.
A music festival celebrating Mozambican dance music.
Around 15% difference.
Around 5 years.
Lower than rural areas.
Fighting HIV/AIDS and improving maternal care.
Overcrowded schools and lack of resources.
Around 5 people per household.
Rapid, with a young population.
Natural gas, mining, and tourism.
Beaches, islands (Bazaruto, Quirimbas), and safaris.
It has vast natural resources, a strategic coastline, and cultural richness, but faces major development challenges.