Introduction
Mozambique was in the grip of a brutal civil war, from which it is now only starting to emerge. It's a desperately poor country, the world's poorest by some estimates - but a land where the people are generous and open. It also has some of the best beaches on the east coast of Africa.

Geographical Location
The country consists of a wide coastal plain rising to mountains and plateaux on the Zimbabwean, Zambian and Malawian borders. Two of Africa's major rivers - the Zambezi and the Limpopo - flow through the country, and the huge Cabora Bassa dam is sited on the Zambezi River.

Climate
Mozambique has a tropical savannah type of climate, with a dry season that lasts from April to October. There are 3 climatic zones: a wet one in northern and central Mozambique; a drier one in the southern half of the country; and a relatively cool, rainy zone in the highlands and western plateau. The coastal regions of Cabo Delgado and Nampula can be very dry for long periods and even the plateau zones can experience periods of drought.

Population
The country has 10 major ethnic groups, including the Makua-Lomwe, Tsonga, Malawi, Shona, and Yao. The dominant ethnic group in the north is the Makua-Lomwe, who make up about 47% of the population; the Tsonga (23%) predominate in the south.

Languages
Portuguese was retained as the official language after independence because no single African language was sufficiently dominant. Most Mozambicans speak an ethnic language and Portuguese. Swahili is commonly used in some coastal areas.

Religion
Traditional indigenous beliefs are followed by about half the population; about 30% are Christian, and some 10%, mainly in the north, are Muslim.