Mozambique Culture, Map, Flag, Tourist Places

Mozambique is divided into 10 provinces (provincias) and 1 capital city (cidade) with provincial status. The provinces in there whole have 129 districts (distritos).

The provinces include: Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo (city), Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, and Zambezia.

Mozambique's major ethnic groups encompass numerous subgroups with diverse languages, dialects, cultures, and histories. Many are linked to similar ethnic groups living in neighboring countries. The north-central provinces of Zambezia and Nampula are the most populous, with about 45% of the population. The estimated 4 million Makua are the dominant group in the northern part of the country - the Sena and Ndau are prominent in the Zambezi valley, and the Shangaan (Tsonga) dominate in southern Mozambique. Other groups include Makonde, Yao, Swahili, Tonga, Chopi, Shona, and Nguni (including Zulu). The country has also a small number of Caucasian residents, largely Europeans of Portuguese ancestry. During European ruling period, larger minority of Portuguese settlers lived permanently in almost all areas of Mozambique, but most of them left the region after its freedom in 1975. There is also a small mestiço minority, mixed-blood offsprings of the Bantu and Portuguese settlers. The remaining Caucasians in Mozambique came from Asia, and all of these are Indians (mostly from Pakistan and Portuguese India) and Arabs. There are some Chinese also.

Portuguese is constantly the official and most widely spoken language of the nation, because Bantus speak several of their different languages (most widely used of these are Swahili, Makua, Sena, Ndau, and Shangaan — these have many Portuguese-origin words), but most of them speak it as their second language and only pure-blooded Portuguese and mestiços speak it as their first language. Arabs, Chinese, and Indians speak their own languages (Indians from Portuguese India speak any of the Portuguese Creoles of their origin) aside from Portuguese as their second language. Most educated Mozambicans speak English, which is used in schools and business as second or third language.

According to the 1997 Second General Population and Housing Census, the religions of the polled population were as follows. 24.2% Claimed to be Roman Catholic, while 24.25% claimed to not be affiliated with a religion (many of these perhaps maintain cultural bonds with Animism or tribal religions). 17.8% of the population were cited as Muslims, 11.45% as other non-Catholic Christians (mostly different Protestants), 18.7% as Zionists, and 3.6% as "other".

The best time to visit is the months of June to August, when both rainfall and temperatures are at their lowest. Later in the dry season, in late August and September, the temperatures start to climb, but this is the best time to see big game. The best time for birdwatching, on the other hand, is smack in the middle of the rainy season, usually November and December.

There are three good national parks in Mozambique. The Gorongosa National Park is open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Visits can be booked through the LAM office in Maputo. Access is provided by an airstrip at Chitengo. Guides and cars are available inside the park. The Maputo Elephant Park is on the right bank of the Maputo River. The Marromeu National Park is at the mouth of the Zambesi River.

Public Holidays
1 January - New Year's Day
3 February - Heroes' Day
7 April - Women's Day
1 May - Workers' Day
25 June - Independence Day
7 September - Victory Day
25 September - Revolution Day
25 December - Christmas Day