Mozambique is one of the most attractive and intriguing tourist destination in South Africa. Many new international hotels and luxury lodges have opened, while the national parks and game reserves, some under private management are being returned to their former glory. The major draw for tourist have long been Mozambique's 2,500 km of white, palm-fringed beaches as well as the Islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago. The vast coral reefs host a range of unique main life and offer unbelievable diving and fishing opportunities.

Mozambique's other exotic destinations include the mysterious mountains of Namuli and Unango, the historical settlements of Angoche, the World Heritage Site of Mozambique Island, The magnificent natural harbour of Pemba, and the Quirimbas Archipelago.

Mozambique provides a contrast to other countries in Southern and East Africa, with its rare blend of African, Arab, and Portuguese influences. This mix is noticeable in the Afro-Portuguese cuisine adnd the Latin beat of the music in the clubs and discos.

Mozambique was explored by Vasco da Gama in 1498 and colonized by Portugal in 1505. By 1505 the Portuguese had control of all of the former Arab sultanates on the East African coast. From about 1500 Portuguese trading posts and forts became regular ports of call on the new route to the East. Mozambique is a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Mozambique covers an area of over 800,00 sq. km, three times the size of Great Britain. Situated South East of the African continent, it shares borders with six other countries, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia to the North, Zimbabwe to the West, South Africa and Swaziland to the South. The coastline is 2,500 km's long and boasts numerous majestic beaches fringed by lagoons, coral reefs and strings of small islands.
A vast, low grassland plateau which rises from the coast towards the mountainsin the North and West covers near nearly half the country's land area. The Zambezi river is the largest of the country's 25 rivers. Mozambique is rich in mineral resources such as gold , emeralds, copper, iron ore and bauxite and is currently in oil exporation.

Tropical to sub-tropical with coastal temperatures high for much of the year while the interior is warm to mild, even in the cooler, dry season from April to September. It is usually sunny throughout the year.

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• 3rd February - Heroes' Day
• 7th April - Women's Day
• 1St May - Worker's Day
• 25th June - Independence Day
• 7th September - Victory Day
• 25th September - Revolution Day
• 4th October - Day of Peace and Reconciliation
• 25th December - Christmas

Mozambique Coat of arms

The Mozambique Coat Of Arms was adopted in 1990 in the Constitution of Mozambique article 194. It shows a gear wheel, representing labor and industry. This is bordered by corn stalks and sugarcane, The corn stalks and sugarcane represent agricultural wealth. In the middle there is a red sun which symbolizes the building of a new life, over a map of Mozambique in green, and blue waves, an AK-47 which represents defense and vigilance crossed with a hoe which represents peasantry and agriculture production, and a book which represents education. The wreath is tied with a ribbon bearing the name of the Country. And the res star above is for socialism , symbolizes he spirit of international solidarity of the Mozambican people.

Mozambique Flag

The Mozambique flag was adopted on 1st May 1983. It has a image of a AK-47 and is the only flag in the world to show such a modern rifle. The rifle stands for defence and vigilance. The green in the flag stands for the riches of the land, the small white stripes signify peace, the black represents the African continent, the yellow symbolizes the countries minerals, the red represents the struggle for independence. The open book symbolizes the importance of education, the hoe represents the countries agriculture and the star symbolizes Marxism and internationalism.

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