MOZAMBIQUE

Mozambique, a developing country in southern Africa, has steadily rebuilt its economy and civic institutions since ending a 16-year civil war in 1992. The country stabilized following Mozambique's first multi-party elections in October 1994, and a new president was elected in December 2004. Despite high economic growth rates in recent years, Mozambique remains among the world's poorest countries. Facilities for tourism in Maputo, the capital city, are steadily improving but remain limited in other areas, as most of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Mozambique for additional information.

ENTRY/ EXIT REQUIREMENTS:

A visa is required for entry into Mozambique. It is recommended that travelers acquire the appropriate visa prior to departing for Mozambique, although a one-entry visa can be obtained at country points of entry, including airports. Foreigners in Mozambique without a valid visa can expect to pay a $100 fine for each day they are in Mozambique illegally. The fine can be assessed upon departure or if caught in Mozambique by authorities. The passports of all travelers who wish to enter Mozambique must be valid for six months upon arrival and must contain at least one clean (unstamped) visa page each time entry is sought. Travelers transiting through other countries should be aware of the need for the required additional clean pages. For further information on entry requirements and the most recent information, contact the Embassy of Mozambique, 1990 M Street, NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036, telephone (202) 293-7146, http://www.embamoc-usa.org/visa.htm or the nearest Mozambican embassy or consulate.

DRIVING:

Fair paved roads connect the main centers however caution should be taken as some of these roads are in disrepair. Some of the more isolated roads are only suitable for 4x4 vehicles. Fuel is readily available in all the main centers. Driving is on the left hand side and an International Driving License is recommended.

Speed/distance Reckoner:
Pleading ignorance of conversion values will not save you from getting a speeding ticket!

Km per hour = Miles per hour

Metric Conversion:

Here is a rough conversion chart:

To convert from to divide by

Centimetres inches 2.5

Meters yards 0.9

Kilometres miles 1.6

Litres gallons 3.8

Grams Ounces 28

Kilograms Pounds .45

Hectares acres .4

CURRENCY:
Mozambique’s local currency is the Metical; however US dollars and SA Rand are widely accepted.It is advisable to carry cash or traveller cheques as credit cards are not widely accepted and obtaining a cash advance on a credit card in a bank can be a costly and time consuming process.

BUSINESS HOURS:
Business hours are generally from 8:00 - 12:30 and 14:00 - 17:30.

BANKS:
Mozambique´s commercial banks - Bank Standard Totta de Moçambique, Banco de Fomento e Exterior, Banco Popular de Desenvolvimento, Banco Internacional de Moçambique and Banco Comercial de Moçambique - offer exchange services in their main Maputo branches.Banks are open to the public Monday - Friday mornings from 8:00 - 11:00.

ELECTRICITY:
220 Volts

POSTAL SERVICES:
The post offices are open Monday to Friday, 7:45 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 17:00 and Saturday mornings.

TELEPHONES:
Most major towns are served by a satellite telephone system. Direct dialling is available to South Africa and Swaziland. To place a call to a destination outside the region, dial 100 to book your connection.

The dialling code from outside the country for Mozambique is 258-1 for Maputo, 258-3 for Beira and 258-6 for Nampula.

Customs and Duty Free Allowances and Restrictions

Tobacco............................200 Cigarettes or 250g of Tobacco

Liquor...............................1 Bottle

Perfume............................Reasonable Amount for Personal Use

Gifts.................................Reasonable Amount

Cameras...........................No Restrictions

Currency...........................Must Be Declared On Arrival Import/Export Of Mozambique Currency Prohibited

Agriculture Items...............See Consulate

Prohibited/Restricted.........Narcotics Are Prohibited. Firearms Require A Permit

HEALTH AND VACCINATION:
For the most updated information on required vaccinations and health issues, please see the Center For Disease Control www.cdc.gov/travel/eafrica.htm . We suggest that you consult your local travel doctor for advice on health safety in this region.

Further information regarding Yellow Fever Vaccination, may be obtained by calling 1-800-VACCINE or the U.S. Department of Health Centre for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) International Traveller’s Hotline at (404) 332-4559 or the CDC Fax Information Service at (888) 232-3299. Information may also be obtained from travel medicine specialists and/or a local or state Department of Health clinic.

CLOTHING/ PACKING LIST:
Depending on the area you are traveling and the activities you are planning. Jeans and shorts are accepted everywhere but in fine dining restaurants and at some formal lodges, where trousers and a button down shirt or sweater would suffice.

If you use the layering system (several layers that can be worn alone or in combination, rather than taking one heavy jacket for cold weather) you’ll be ready for any conditions and won’t have to over-pack.

Clothing:

Neutral colours are more suitable for safari, white is not practical. It is best to pack hardy, durable clothing

T-shirts; Shorts or a light skirt

Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days

Blouses with long sleeves (even in summer; they will protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes)

Bring an elegantly casual outfit for dinner at the smarter hotels.

Swimsuit, as most hotels/lodges have swimming pools
Comfortable walking shoes

Layers:

Fleece or sweater and a windbreaker for game drives (necessary, even in summer)

Light, compact raincoat is a good idea for the summer

Layers are most practical for the fluctuating day and night temperatures: warm-up suit/sweats— good for sleeping in during winter months

General Items:

Sun block, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent - essentials!

Binoculars and a camera are a must

Towel, flashlight and sleeping bag for camping safaris (sleeping bags can be hired from most safari operators)

Important:

Packing space is limited on all modes of safari transport so you will need to restrict your baggage to 12-15kg (preferably packed in a soft bag) plus a reasonable amount of camera equipment.

All else is optional, and most of it is superfluous!

PEOPLE
Mozambique's major ethnic groups encompass numerous subgroups with diverse languages, dialects, cultures, and histories. Many are linked to similar ethnic groups living in neighbouring countries. The north-central provinces of Zambezia and Nampula are the most populous, with about 45% of the population. The estimated 4 million Makua are the dominant group in the northern part of the country--the Sena and Ndau are prominent in the Zambezi valley, and the Tsonga and Shangaan dominate in southern Mozambique.

Despite the influence of Islamic coastal traders and European colonizers, the people of Mozambique have largely retained an indigenous culture based on small-scale agriculture. Mozambique's most highly developed art forms have been wood sculpture, for which the Makonde in northern Mozambique are particularly renowned, and dance. The middle and upper classes continue to be heavily influenced by the Portuguese colonial and linguistic heritage.

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Mozambican(s).

Population (2005 est.): 19.4 million; 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

Annual population growth rate (2002): 1.9%.

Ethnic groups: Makua, Tsonga, Makonde, Shangaan, Shona, Sena, Ndau, and other indigenous groups, and approximately 10,000 Europeans, 35,000 Euro-Africans, and 15,000 South Asians.

Religions: Christian 30%, Muslim 17%, indigenous African and other beliefs 45%.

Languages: Portuguese (official), various indigenous languages.

Education: Mean years of schooling (adults over 25): men 2.1, women 1.2. Primary school attendance (1999)--32.6%. Adult literacy (2002)--45.5%.

Health: Infant mortality rate--124/1,000. Life expectancy (2002)--41.1 years.

CULTURE:
Many of the cultural traditions of the Mozambican people survived centuries of colonialism. The Makonde in the north are renowned for their ebony sculptures and masks. The Chopi of the south central coast are famous for their complex musical arrangements and dance. Mozambique’s tradition of visual art has produced several modern artists who have achieved international renown. One of the most famous Mozambican artists is Malangatana, whose paintings portray the sufferings of the colonial period and the civil war.

Mozambique enjoys a great range of cultural and linguistic diversity. Islamic culture, Swahili language, and matrilineal Bantu-speaking groups coexist in northern and central regions, reflecting prevailing patterns in neighbouring Tanzania and Malawi. The great variety of people of the Zambezi valley overlap culturally and linguistically with neighbouring Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and patrilineal, cattle-keeping people who share a heritage with neighbouring Nguni-speaking groups in South Africa and Zimbabwe are common in the south. Amid the variety of languages, social relationships, artistic traditions, clothing, and ornamentation patterns is a common theme of dynamic and creative cultural expression in song, oral poetry, dance, and performance.

GEOGRAPHY:
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania

Area: total area: 801,590 sq km, land area: 784,090 sq km, comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of California

Land boundaries: total 4,571 km, Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km

Coastline: 2,470 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate: tropical to subtropical

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

Natural resources: coal, titanium

Land use: arable land: 4%, permanent crops: 0%, meadows and pastures: 56%, forest and woodland: 20%, other: 20%

Irrigated land: 1,150 sq km (1989 est.)

GOVERNMENT:
Mozambique is a multi-party democracy under the 1990 constitution. The executive branch comprises a president, prime minister, and Council of Ministers. There is a National Assembly and municipal assemblies. The judiciary comprises a Supreme Court and provincial, district, and municipal courts. Suffrage is universal at 18.

REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION:
Americans living or travelling in Mozambique are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Mozambique. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located in Maputo at 193 Avenida Kenneth Kaunda, telephone (258-1) 49-27-97. The after-hours telephone number for use in emergencies is (258-1) 49-07-23. The Consular Section's fax number is (258-1) 49-04-48. The Consular Section's e-mail address is consularmaputo@state.gov. The Embassy's general website is http://Mozambique.USEmbassy.gov.

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