HISTORY
Vasco de Gama landed at what is now Mozambique on his way to India on March 2, 1498.
The name of Mozambique comes from an Arab trader Mussa Ben Mbiki who gave his name to the island of Mozambique off the country’s coast.
The area was colonized by Portugal from 1505. After over four centuries of Portuguese rule, Mozambique gained independence on June 25, 1975, becoming the People's Republic of Mozambique shortly thereafter.
Mozambique was plagued from 1977 to 1992 by a long and violent civil war between the opposition forces of anti-Communist Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) rebel militias and the FRELIMO regime.
The flag of Mozambique was adopted on May 1, 1983. It includes the image of an AK-47 assault rifle with a bayonet attached to the barrel. It is one of only two national flags of UN member states to feature a firearm, the other being Guatemala.
The President of Mozambique Samora Machel and 43 others tragically died in a plane crash on October 19, 1986. The crash occurred in the Lebombo Mountains, near the town of Mbuzini in South Africa, very close to the border with Mozambique. The circumstances surrounding the crash have been a subject of controversy and suspicion, with some suggesting that it may not have been an accident. President Machel was a prominent figure in the struggle for Mozambique's independence and served as the country's first president.
The crash was investigated by a South African commission of inquiry, which concluded that it was caused by pilot error. However, many people have questioned the findings of the inquiry, and some believe that the crash may have been the result of sabotage by the South African apartheid regime.
In 1995, Mozambique joined the Commonwealth of Nations, becoming, at the time, the only member nation that had never been part of the British Empire.
Mozambique's population of around 24 million is composed overwhelmingly of Bantu people.
About 45 per cent of the population of Mozambique are under the age of 15.
The average woman in Mozambique has five children in her lifetime, the first before she is 19.
The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese. which is spoken mostly as a second language by about half of the population. Common native languages include Makhuwa, Sena, and Swahili.
Maputo is the capital and largest city of Mozambique. It is known as the City of Acacias, in reference to acacia trees commonly found along its avenues, and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. According to the 2007 census, Iys population is 1,766,184.
Mozambique has won two Olympic medals, both won by Maria de Lourdes Mutola in the women’s 800 metres, a bronze in 1996 and a gold in 2000.
In Mozambique, power lines have to be at least 12 m (39 ft) high to permit safe passage of giraffes beneath the lines.
If you spell out Mozambique in Scrabble tiles, their values add up to 34, which is more than any other one-word country.
Mozambique is the only country in the world with a one-word name that includes all five vowels.
Source Daily Express
In 1995, Mozambique joined the Commonwealth of Nations, becoming, at the time, the only member nation that had never been part of the British Empire.
DEMOGRAPHICS AND CULTURE
Mozambique's population of around 24 million is composed overwhelmingly of Bantu people.
About 45 per cent of the population of Mozambique are under the age of 15.
The average woman in Mozambique has five children in her lifetime, the first before she is 19.
The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese. which is spoken mostly as a second language by about half of the population. Common native languages include Makhuwa, Sena, and Swahili.
Maputo is the capital and largest city of Mozambique. It is known as the City of Acacias, in reference to acacia trees commonly found along its avenues, and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. According to the 2007 census, Iys population is 1,766,184.
 |
| A panoramic view of Maputo. By Andrew Moir - Wikipedia Commons |
Mozambique has won two Olympic medals, both won by Maria de Lourdes Mutola in the women’s 800 metres, a bronze in 1996 and a gold in 2000.
In Mozambique, power lines have to be at least 12 m (39 ft) high to permit safe passage of giraffes beneath the lines.
FUN FACTS
Mozambique is the only country in the world with a one-word name that includes all five vowels.
Source Daily Express
No comments:
Post a Comment