Nations of the World – Fun Facts About Mozambique!

Mozambique – A New Democracy in Africa

Independence

Did you know- In the mid-1970s, like Seychelles (Africa), Suriname (South America), Guinea Bissau (Africa), and Papua New Guinea (Oceania), Mozambique became an independent nation on the Planet.Following over three centuries under Portuguese rule, Mozambique, a resource-rich nation, won its independence on June 25, 1975. In the succeeding months, the modern nation of Mozambique, a former war-torn country (1977 -1992), joined the United Nations.

World-famous Women

Did you know- In the 1990s and 2000s, the Olympic team was led by Maria de Lourdes Mutola, who won a host of medals and trophies, including a gold medal at the XXVII Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Educated in the United States of America, Mutola (800m and 1500m /track & field) is a female idol in Africa and Mozambique since 1996 when earned a bronze medal in the women’s 800m in the Olympics in Atlanta, GA.

Modern History

Did you know- Following independence in 1975, this Portuguese-speaking nation, led by Samora Machel, became a Marxist state, with Russian/Chinese backing, until the break-up of the Soviet Union. Certainly, it was one of Europe’s last colonies on the continent of Africa. Around this time, the African country of Mozambique boasted one of the world’s worst civil wars, between 1977 and 1992. In the meantime, under that atmosphere, it was one of the ten poorest countries on Earth, along with other Marxist states such as Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Angola. Over that time, the African nation became a Soviet satellite state in the Third World. Nonetheless, Mozambique — like Guyana, Kenya, Mauritius, and India– was an anti-apartheid leader on the Planet.

During Cold War, it was home to several anti-apartheid activists and black South Africans. In the decade that followed, the nation’s ruler Joaquim Chissano became one of the architects of the 1990 Constitution. In the subsequent years, the modern nation of Mozambique held its first multi-party election, making it one of Africa’s first democracies in the 1990s, alongside republics as Cape Verde, Sao Tomé and Príncipe, and Cote d’Ivoire.On the other hand, by that time, the government and the rebel Mozambique National Resistance (MNR) signed a peace agreement in Rome, ending years of conflict. Then, Armando Emilo Guebuza won Mozambique’s first free presidential election in the 21st century.

Geography

Did you know- This former Marxist state is located on the southern coast of Eastern Africa. The Portuguese-speaking country is surrounded by Tanzania (also former Socialist republic), Malawi (ex anti-Communist nation), Zambia (ex British colony), Zimbabwe (one of the world’s most brutal dictatorships), Swaziland (an absolute monarchy) and South Africa (a multiparty democracy). It is home to tropical rainforests, swamps, savannahs and several rivers.

Maputo

Did you know- The capital city is Maputo, which was set up in 1544. It is located in the south. There are other metropolises such as Beira and Nampula.

National Heroes

Did you know- This nation has a handful of idols: from Samora Moises Machel (Mozambique’s former ruler, 1975-1986), Jose Craveirinha (author), and Maria de Lourdes Mutola (2000 Olympic champ, 800m) to Luis Bernardo Honwana (novelist) and Luisa Dias Diogo (former Prime Minister), as well as Graca Machel (one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most eminent campaigner for democracy and women’s rights).

Major International Organizations

Did you know- In addition to being an official member of the United Nations ( UN), it is also member of many international organizations: The Commonwealth (originally called the British Commonwealth of Nations), the Organization of Africa Unity (OUA), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Multi-sport Events

Did you know- Curiously, Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, has been elected as the host for the 2011 African Games.

Woman and Power

Did you know- Graca Machel, former First Lady of Mozambique ( from 1975 to 1986) and South Africa ( 1998-99), is a pioneer African campaigner for women’s rights. Thanks to her crusade for the rights of African women, Mozambique boasted one of the highest proportion of women in its national congress in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Graca, Nelson Mandela’s wife, was born on October 17, 1945, in Incadine, Gaza Province, Mozambique. In the meantime, in the 21st century,Mozambique became one of the first former Portuguese colonies in the world to elect a female (Luisa Dias Diogo) as its Head of Government.

Tourism

Did you know- With its natural beauty, from spectacular waterfalls and unique tropical beaches to amazing rivers, picturesque towns and historic buildings, and abundant wildlife, Mozambique is one of the new paradises on the Planet. But there’s more, of course. This land is home to the Mozambique Island, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Foreign Relations

Did you know- The new democratic rule has opened the country to the outside world, and today Mozambique maintains close relations with all African nations, Portugal, France, Britain and the United States of America. Like most of Africa, this Portuguese-speaking country has strong links with the People’s Republic of China.