Date of independence, or formation date: 1975
Date when current borders were established: 1975
National day: June 25
Vehicle country identifying code: MOC
Time zone (hours plus or minus from GMT): +2
International telephone dialling code: +258
Internet country identifying code: .mz

Situated on the southeast African coast, Mozambique is bisected by the Zambezi River. South of the Zambezi lies a semiarid savanna lowland. The more fertile north-central delta provinces around Tete are home to most of Mozambique's ethnically diverse population. Following independence from Portugal in 1975, Mozambique was torn apart by civil war between the (then Marxist) Frelimo government and the South African-backed Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo). The conflict finally ended in 1992 after UN arbitration. Multiparty elections in 1994 returned Frelimo to power. Devastating floods in 2000 and 2001 created a desperate situation for this impoverished country, with famine a major threat.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004