Mozambique: Mozambique Tourism Profile

A hot and busy place

“Hello. My name is Albano. And I’m Manuela. Welcome to Mozambique. We live in the northwestern province of Tete, which is the hottest region in the country. The town of Tete is experiencing an economic boom thanks to the rich coal seams in the province.

Tete is as well an significant transport hub, because it lies in a corridor of land between Malawi and Zimbabwe. The Zambezi River flows through this corridor. Historically, the river acted as an significant route for transporting goods. Presently, the Zambezi is probably additional significant for the hydro-electricity it produces.

Come and take a look at our videos, where we visit the Cahora Bassa Dam and as well show you other interesting features of our region."

Discover Mozambique

Family or smallholder farms account for nearly 90% of domestic food supplies in Mozambique. Farmers grow cassava and maize/corn as the major crops, with millet, rice and beans as well common.

The famous Portuguese maritime explorer, Vasco da Gama, sailed around the south of the African continent en route to India. His ship landed at Mozambique Island in 1498.

Malaria is the leading killer of children in Mozambique, accounting for nearly a quarter of all deaths part those under five (WHO 2009).

Growing at around 7% each year, the country’s economy is one of Africa’s strongest performers. Foreign companies have increasingly chosen to invest in Mozambique, particularly in mining ventures.

Though commercial fishing takes place, particularly for Mozambique’s key export of prawns, traditional fishing accounts for around 85% of the country’s domestic catch.

Mozamibique’s extensive coastline has long stretches of white sandy beaches. Some of the world's best-preserved coral reefs are found off the coast, supporting around 800 species of fish.

Primary education became free in 2005 and today, nearly all young children are enrolled at primary school. However, a lot of leave school early, particularly girls. Over a third of Mozambican girls (aged 15-24) are unable to read and write.

The broad coastal plain to the south (100-200km wide) leaves a lot of southern regions vulnerable to flooding. Mozambique suffered from particularly severe floods in 2000.

Mozambique is home to a variety of groups, inclunding the Makua, Thonga, Shona/Ndau, Sena, Nyungwe and Yao. Around 40 different Bantu languages and dialects are spoken.

The maritime economy

Mozambique’s extensive coastline has long stretches of white sandy beaches. It is the majority significant attraction in the country’s rapidly growing tourism industry.

Inclunding its beautiful beaches, the coast has stretches of mangrove swamps, lagoons and barrier lakes, with incomparable marine and bird habitats. However, it is the marine life out in the open sea which attracts most visitors. The country’s coastal waters have spectacular wildlife, inclunding large populations of dolphins, turtles, sharks and manta rays

The southern waters off Mozambique serve as a winter breeding ground for the humpback whale, which can as well be spotted along additional northerly parts between July and October.

The importance of a safe harbour

Inclunding being notable for its beauty and wildlife, Mozambique’s coastline has some of Africa’s best natural harbours. For a lot of centuries, these have drawn traders and merchants to the country. Today, the harbours act as significant ports for shipping goods from Mozambique and its neighbouring nations.

This means that while the country has a poor road network running north to south, a lot of of the east to west road and rail links are well-developed. These transport routes carry key mining and industrial goods to places such as Maputo, Beira and Nacala, which are part the best international ports on the continent.

Away from the coast

While a lot of of Mozambique’s service and tourist areas lie along the coastline, visitor attractions are being developed within the interior.

Wildlife suffered as a result of the civil war, but the country’s game reserves are being redeveloped. Significant inland wildlife parks include the Niassa Reserve in the north, Gorongosa National Park in the centre and the Limpopo National Park in the south.