Mozambiques

Mozambiques is commonly identified with Mozambique, a Southeast African nation on the Indian Ocean. The country covers about 801,000 square kilometers and has Maputo as its capital. The official language is Portuguese, but dozens of local languages are spoken, and Mozambican identity is diverse across ethnic groups and regions.

Geography includes a long coastline facing the Indian Ocean, a generally tropical climate, and a landscape that ranges from coastal plains to high inland plateaus. The Zambezi River flows across the north-central area, and protected areas such as Gorongosa National Park and the Niassa Reserve preserve biodiversity. The country is susceptible to tropical cyclones and droughts linked to climate change.

Historically, Mozambique was a Portuguese colony from the 16th century until independence in 1975. It endured a brutal civil war from 1977 to 1992 between FRELIMO and RENAMO. Since the 1990s, the country has pursued multiparty elections and constitutional reforms, with FRELIMO and other parties participating in governance. The government emphasizes development, security, and economic diversification.

Economically, Mozambique remains one of Africa's poorer nations, with agriculture as a major employer and export sector. In recent years, offshore natural gas discoveries in the Rovuma Basin have attracted international investment. Infrastructure development, ports, and rail links are priorities, but poverty, disease, and disaster risk pose ongoing challenges.

Culture is characterized by music traditions such as marrabenta, diverse cuisines, and social customs rooted in regional languages. Widely spoken languages include Emakhuwa, Xitsonga, and Cisena alongside Portuguese. Mozambicans practice a mix of Christian, Muslim, and indigenous beliefs, reflecting the country's regional diversity and historical interactions.