Mozambique stretches for 1,535 mi (2,470 km) along Africa's southeast coast. It is nearly twice the size of California. Tanzania is to the north; Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to the west; and South Africa and Eswatini to the south. The country is generally a low-lying plateau broken up by 25 sizable rivers that flow into the Indian Ocean. The largest is the Zambezi, which provides access to central Africa. In the interior, several chains of mountains form the backbone of the country.

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama reached Mozambique in 1498, as a waypoint on the Cape Route to India.

In 1500, the Portuguese established a string of forts and posts up and down the coast, starting with present day Ilha de Moçambique or Mozambique Island (at that time simply known as Mozambique and where the country gets its modern name), where the Portuguese plied the spice and slave routes from Mozambique up until 1891.

After World War I, Portuguese investment in commercial, industrial, agricultural, educational, transportation, and health care infrastructure for the indigenous population started providing for better social and economic possibilities and these continued to gain pace up until independence in 1975.

In 1962, several anti-colonial political groups formed the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), which initiated an armed campaign against Portuguese colonial rule. Mozambique became independent after ten years of sporadic warfare on June 25, 1975. FRELIMO took complete control of the territory after a transition period and within a year of independence, almost all the Portuguese colonists had left Mozambique – some expelled by the new government of Mozambique, some fleeing in fear.

Upon independence, Mozambique had less than 5 engineers in the entire country and the previous colonial infrastructure investments stopped entirely resulting in the rapid disintegration of much of Mozambique's infrastructure. FRELIMO responded to their lack of resources and the Cold War politics of the mid-1970s by moving into alignment with the Soviet Union and its allies. FRELIMO established a one-party Socialist state, and quickly received substantial international aid from Cuba and the Soviet bloc nations.

In 1975, the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO), an anti-communist group sponsored by the Rhodesian Intelligence Service, the apartheid government in South Africa and the United States after Zimbabwe's independence, was founded and launched a series of attacks on transport routes, schools and health clinics, and the country descended into civil war; see also 20th-century South Africa.

In 1990, with apartheid crumbling in South Africa, and support for RENAMO drying up in South Africa and in the United States, the first direct talks between the FRELIMO government and Renamo were held. In November 1990, a new constitution was adopted. Mozambique was now a multiparty state, with periodic elections, and guaranteed democratic rights. With the signing of the Rome General Peace Accords, the civil war ended on October 15, 1992.

Almost all of Mozambique is within the tropics, so Mozambique features a mostly tropical climate.

Along the coast Mozambique has a warm, tropical climate. Evenings are rarely cold, except for a few nights in June and July and the rainfall isn't too high. In summer, temperatures can soar and the humidity levels rise. Temperatures are typically higher in the north, around Pemba, and around the Zambezi.

The interior plains generally have a higher temperature than that of the coast and have higher rainfall throughout the year. The mountainous regions generally remain cool throughout the year. For up-to date weather forecasts and tide tables visit <span typeof=\"mw:Entity\" data-parsoid='{\"src\":\"&amp;#91;\",\"srcContent\":\"[\"}'>[</span>dead link<span typeof=\"mw:Entity\" data-parsoid='{\"src\":\"&amp;#93;\",\"srcContent\":\"]\"}'>]</span></sup><link rel=\"mw:PageProp/Category\" href=\"./Category:Articles_with_dead_external_links\" about=\"#mwt77\" data-parsoid='{\"stx\":\"simple\",\"a\":{\"href\":\"./Category:Articles_with_dead_external_links\"},\"sa\":{\"href\":\"Category:Articles with dead external links\"}}'/>"}]]}'>http://www.climateandweather.com/weather-in-mozambique%5Bdead+link%5D

The public holidays in Mozambique are:

• 1 January New Year's Day.
• 3 February Heroes' Day.
• 7 April Woman's Day.
• 1 May Workers' Day.
• 25 June Independence Day.
• 7 September Lusaka Agreement Day.
• 25 September Armed Forces Day.
• 4 October Peace Day.
• 25 December Family Day.

Smoking in all public places was banned in Mozambique in 2007. However, many restaurants and bars have ignored this ban as it is almost entirely unenforced.

The Makua is the largest ethnic group that dominate in the northern part of Mozambique. the Sena and Ndau in the Zambezi valley, and the Shangaan dominate in the southern part of Mozambique.

All visitors (except citizens of Angola, Eswatini, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia and Zimbabwe) require a visa, which can now be obtained on arrival at most major entry points including Maputo Airport, the Port of Maputo, Ressano Garcia, Goba, Ponto D'ouro, Giriyondo, Vilanculos Airport, Inhambane Airport, Beira Airport, Pemba Airport and Nampula Airport. The cost of receiving the tourist visa on arrival is US$95 as of January 2024, with no additional documentation required (at least at Maputo Airport). They ask for printed Hotel booking at Eswatini border posts. South Africa's currency is accepted, the officers will not provide change though.

Land borders may also charge a stamping fee on entry, which is generally US$2, but is often waived if you buy your visa at the border. In addition, you must use the visa forms provided at the consulate or border as self-printed versions will not be accepted; at borders, these are free, but Mozambican embassies/consulates generally charge US$1 for the form.

A tourist visa is valid for 90 days after issue and permits a 30 day stay. This can be extended by a further 30 days at immigration offices in provincial capitals.

There is a US$100 a day fine for overstaying a visa.

Most international flights arrive from South Africa, although direct international routes also exist between Mozambique and Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Portugal, Qatar, Istanbul, and Addis Ababa.

There are several flights daily from Johannesburg to Maputo, operated by South African Airways (SAA) and the Mozambican flag-carrier Linhas Aereas de Moçambique (LAM). Federal Air fly daily direct to Vilanculos International airport. Other airlines that fly to the country include Airlinkk, Qatar airways, Turkish airlines, Ethiopian airlines, Malawi airlines, Kenya Airways, and TAP Portugal.

There are also several flights during the week from Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam, and Nairobi to Pemba in the North, operated by either South African Airlink (SAA) or LAM. If you make a telephone booking with LAM and will not be paying for your flight until check-in you must reconfirm the flight 72 hours before departure or they are liable to cancel it.

After checking in you need to get a tax stamp on your boarding card. For internal flights the tax is 200 MT and for International flights 500 MT to be paid in cash.

The railways in Mozambique are in poor shape and mainly used for freight; however, there are some opportunities for the intrepid traveller to travel by train. While there are no international connections per se, some border cities have rail connections. There are three train lines: one is in the far north of the country, travelling from Nampula to Cuamba near the Malawian border; another runs from Maputo to Chicualacuala at the border with Zimbabwe; and the last one connects Maputo with the border to South Africa.

In order to enter Mozambique by car you will need the original registration documents and if it is not your vehicle a letter from the owner granting permission to take the vehicle in to Mozambique. All foreign vehicles are required to have third party insurance, which is available at many borders for 150 South African rand, and also to pay road tax which of 26.50 MT.

There is no scheduled sea travel to and from Mozambique.

Traffic is left-handed, cars are often in poor conditio, and drivers may not know or respect traffic rules. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is common, especially at night and on weekends. Driving after dark outside the city is not recommended. Keep car windows closed and doors locked, especially when stopping at intersections. Driving can lead to being stopped by the police for bribes. There have also been cases of carjacking. It is not a good idea to pick up strangers.

The EN1 runs the length of the country generally staying close to the coast from Maputo up. Roads throughout the country are generally in poor condition, especially when compared to South Africa, although the stretch of the EN1 between Maputo and Inchope is in decent condition with the exception of the 120 km directly north of Vilankulo and the last 100 km south of Inchope which are still in decrepit condition and pose a serious challenge to any driver in a low clearance vehicle. The EN1 from Mocuba to Nampula and further to Ilha de Moçambique is in good condition. The EN6 between the Machipanda border crossing with Zimbabwe and Inchope is in good condition, but deteriorates considerably between Inchope and Beira, becoming almost impassable at points. North of Vilankulo service stations are scarce - motorists may go 150 km between service stations so fill up at every opportunity.

South African company Bushlore rents 4x4 vehicles and campers and will facilitate cross-border trips with flexible pick-ups and drop-offs.

Buses and chapas leave early in Mozambique - 04:00 is not unusual, particularly as you go further north. Chapas take the form of both mini & midi buses but often pick up trucks and cargo trucks will offer a ride for the same fare as a chapa. Government and privately owned buses ply the same routes as Chapas but typically stop a great deal more often so are inadvisable for anything other than short journeys.

The chapas themselves, particularly on shorter routes, are generally in shockingly poor condition. Expect seats, doors and interiors falling apart. The Mozambican government regulates prices on key routes which means chapa travel in Mozambique is extremely good value. In larger cities this translates to signs with destinations and prices in chapa stations (EG - Junta in Maputo), these prices will not come down no matter how hard you negotiate but many an enterprising chapa conductor/navigator/bouncer will try to extort you if you are silly enough to ask what a price is. If in doubt ask at your hotel, a local or as a last resort simply hand them a large note; often they will assume you know the correct fare and give you the correct change.

There are government registered chapas and unregistered chapas. While both are unsafe and are in many accidents each year, always take the government chapas. These can be recognized by being the large buses. These buses are newer and thus slightly safer. They cost slightly more (at the time this was written they were 10 MT a journey, and unregistered were 5). Unregistered chapas though are extremely dangerous and overcrowded and should never be used if you can help it.

Once only found in Maputo taxis can now be found in many cities throughout the country. They never have meters so you must negotiate regarding cost before your journey. Taxis are often in as perilous condition as chapas (from balding tires to someone sitting in the passenger seat holding a plastic gas can with the cars fuel line going in to it) and breakdowns should be considered likely. Never pay for your journey until you reach your destination. If you are female, never take a taxi alone, especially not one found on the side of the road. If you must, ask around for the number of a trusted taxi driver who will come pick you up and can usually be there in under half an hour depending on how far away they are. Always add ten minutes or more to how long they say they will take to collect you though.

In Maputo there is a flat rate of 200 MT for any journey in the city center. Longer journeys (EG to Junta) cost 400 MT and up. In the early morning they will often attempt to gouge you, doubling the price to 400 MT, as there are often very few taxis about at this time.

Chapas can also be rented as taxis but are typically more expensive and far less comfortable.

Domestic flights are the fastest and most sane way to get around the country if you can afford it. Linhas Aereas de Moçambique flies between the major cities. The flights themselves are actually on extremely modern, clean and well maintained planes and are a stark contrast to the other transport options in the country. However, be warned that all airlines from the country including LAM are listed on the EU air safety list as of June 2015 and are therefore banned from operating in the European airspace.

LAM operate an old style booking system where you can reserve a flight over the telephone and then pay for it on check in. If you do use this facility ensure that you confirm your flight 72 hours before departure or your reservation will likely be canceled.

Alternatively all LAM offices in towns and airports can book and receive payment for flights throughout the country. It is not advisable to pay using credit card due to the level of corruption present in all state enterprises including LAM.

Trains aren't really very useful, considering there's only one and it's in the far north of the country traveling from Nampula to Cuamba near the Malawian border. See get in above for more details.

Mine clearance from the old coastal railway running the length of the country has been finished in many areas but with the costs involved and the level of corruption in the country it will be decades before any rail service with reasonable coverage arrives in the country.

The currency of Mozambique is the new metical (plural meticais, pronounced 'meta-caysh'), denoted by the symbol "MT" (ISO code: MZN). It may also be called Meticais Nova Família. It is notionally divided into 100 centavos.

Three zeroes were dropped from the currency in 2006. Old currency can no longer be exchanged at banks. People will occasionally still refer to the old currency, so if someone asks for "1 million", they generally mean one thousand new meticais.

Coins of Mozambique are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos, 1, 2, 5 and 10 meticais. Banknotes of Mozambique are issued in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 meticais.

Many businesses in the tourist centers are run by South Africans and prices are often quoted in rand (for which the usual abbreviation is ZAR). In this guide prices are also quoted in rand when applicable.

US dollars, rand, British pounds and Euros are freely convertible at commercial rates at any bank or exchange. Other currencies such as Canadian or Australian dollars or Japanese yen, are not accepted anywhere, even at official banks and exchanges.

There is very little black market currency exchange, since the commercial exchanges offer the best market rate. You cannot exchange meticais outside Mozambique, but you can convert them back at exchanges prior to leaving the country. Also you cannot buy meticais outside Moçambique.

ATMs are present throughout the country; BCI, Standard Bank, Eco Bank, Millennium BIM are the banks you are most likely to run in to. BCI, Standard and Eco Bank accepts Visa & MasterCard, Millennium accepts all international cards including Maestro/Cirrus cards. ATMs have transaction limits on withdrawals, which vary with the bank. Millennium bank limits withdrawals to 3,000 MT, and Standard Bank and Eco Bank to 10,000 MT; you can always insert your card again to withdraw more money. BCI and Ecobank atms have no withdraw fee for overseas cards.

Everything in Mozambique that does not have a price attached can be bargained down to whatever you consider a reasonable price to be. Remember that while laughing when they give you an insane price is perfectly OK you should not get outwardly angry or hostile, you will be unlikely to get a reasonable price if you do. If in doubt about what a fair price is ask your hotel.

No one in Mozambique, including often backpacker lodges, have change. The 1000 MT and 500 MT are almost impossible to use day to day, so change them down in to more manageable notes in any bank. The one exception to this rule is chapa drivers, if you find yourself running low on small bills pay for your 15 MT fare with a 100 MT note.

In Mozambique Cervejas de Mocambique have a virtual monopoly on beer brewing. The three most popular brands are 2M (remember to pronounce it doysh-em or you will end up with an extra beer), Laurentina Clara and Manica. Other local African beers such as Castle and Windhoek are reasonably widely available but are not as popular as in neighboring countries due to the high quality of the local brews.

Locally produced spirits such as vodka and gin are relatively common throughout the country and are relatively inexpensive. The local drink is Cashu made of the peel from the cashew nut. According to the locals it's very good for a man's libido. It has a sour taste.

Keep in mind that many chain and local supermarkets do not sell alcohol in Mozambique, you will need to find a specific liquor store close by.

Hotels in Mozambique are generally ungraded and, particularly in the less traveled parts of the country, have not been updated since independence. In some cases you can pay up to $50USD a night for a hotel room that should be in the US$5–10 range based on facilities. On the other end of the scale Mozambique hosts some of the most incredible, and expensive, hotels and resorts in the world.

Maputo, Tofo Beach, Vilanculos, Chimoio and Pemba have backpacker lodges and are geared up for the budget traveler. There are some backpacker options elsewhere in the country but often the only option for a budget traveler will be transient labor guesthouses or cheap hotels.

In most major tourist areas many self-catering options exist.

If you do bring your own gas based cooking equipment, keep in mind that the typical backpacker Lindal valve gas canisters are not available anywhere in the country.

Dedicated camp sites with security are available in almost all coastal towns and you can often camp in rural areas with a village chief's blessing (If you do decide to use this option a small offering such as food, liquor or cigarettes can be very useful).

If taking a caravan keep in mind that a great deal of roads in Mozambique degenerate in to sandy paths that require 4WD, it is advisable to only stick to popular areas along the EN1.

If someone offers to "sell" you land in Mozambique walk away immediately, it is a scam. Private ownership of land in Mozambique is impossible, all land is owned by the government and will only be provided for foreign use, under a 99-year lease, under very specific circumstances.

In Mozambique the police do not exist to help you, only to try and extort money from you. Do not trust them under any circumstances.

Insisting on being taken to a police station is unlikely to improve your situation, with the exception of in Maputo, the police have been known to rob tourists blind and throw them in a cell. Instead mention contacting your embassy or the anti-corruption hot line to verify a fine and always ask for a receipt.

If you have cause to go to a police station (e.g., filing a police report for insurance purposes after a theft), do not take any valuables or excessive currency with you and try to always go with someone else.

At Airports: While airport security personnel typically prioritize ensuring the safety of passengers and aircraft, there have been reported cases of opportunistic individuals taking advantage of their position to pilfer travelers' belongings, including cash, credit cards, and other valuables. To minimize the risk of becoming a victim of such theft, it's crucial to adopt precautionary measures.

1. Travel with a Minimum of Cash

Only carry the amount of cash you'll need for immediate expenses, such as transportation, meals, and incidentals.

2. Employ Travel Cards Instead of Cash

Travel cards, including credit cards and debit cards, offer greater protection than cash. They're linked to your bank account and can be used to make purchases and withdraw cash from ATMs. However, inform your bank of your travel itinerary beforehand to prevent your card from being flagged for suspicious activity.

3. Explore Digital Payment Methods

Mobile wallets and other digital payment methods are becoming increasingly popular and convenient for travelers. These methods allow for contactless payments without the need to carry cash or cards.

4. Stay Vigilant

Maintain constant vigilance over your belongings.

While most of the country has been cleared there is still an on-going risk in rural areas away from the EN1 in Sofala, Tete, Manica, Gaza, Inhambane and Maputo provinces. Only 2 or 3 incidents a year occur with landmines and they are all well outside the tourist trail.

Movitel is becoming the most popular carrier in the country. There is also the South-African owned Vodacom Mozambique^{[dead link]}Vodacom have 4G in many towns and GPRS Edge elsewhere. The APN is internet. Check your phone manual for setting instructions. The mCel service is not entirely reliable, especially outside Maputo. Vodacom is generally very good. Many Mozambicans think Movitel has the fastest internet, especially outside Maputo. While it is OK to buy credit from the hundreds of vendors roaming the streets wearing mCel or Vodacom shirts you should never buy SIM cards and starter packs, in many cases they sell them at hugely inflated prices and often they will be from one of the many recalled batches that no longer work. Any mobile phone store can sell you a working starter pack for around 50 MT.

Internet is widely available in Maputo, with many internet cafes and all major hotels having internet access. The cell phone providers - mCel, Vodacom, and Movitel - have introduced internet to cellphone and USB modems. See above for further information. Outside Maputo internet coverage is sporadic and mostly available in places frequented by tourists. Local Telecommunication de Mozambique (TDM) offices almost always have internet although speed and availability can be problematic.

There are many FM stations in Maputo, offering a variety of music and speech. Away from the capital, Radio Mozambique will be heard in many places and BBC World Service have their English/Portuguese service in the main cities. There are numerous small community radio stations serving smaller towns/villages.

A new radio station called LM Radio (Lifetime Music Radio), broadcasts in English on 87.8 FM in Maputo and Matola. The radio station offers a wide range of music from the 1960s, 70s and 80s together with a blend of modern day music in the same style and flavor. The radio station also provides regular travel and safety tips for visitors to Mozambique.