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Mozambique - Geography & environment
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A rural landscape in northern Mozambique
Photo: Chris Johnson/Oxfam |
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Mozambique lies beside the Indian Ocean in southern Africa. On
its borders lie South Africa and Zimbabwe in the south, and Zambia,
Malawi and Tanzania in the north. About half the country is made
up of flat coastal plain. Heading inland, the land rises and high
plateaux and mountains run along the western and northern borders.
Many sizeable rivers, including the Zambezi and Limpopo, flow through
Mozambique to the sea. Africa’s largest hydro-electric power
dam, the Cabora Bassa, lies in the north-west. Although there’s
plenty of water, drought is common in the south of the country.
Mozambique has vast areas of fertile land, which can produce enough
food for the nation, as well as exports. Maize, sugar cane, tobacco,
rice, tea, and citrus fruits are all grown. But the country’s
natural wealth is not fully exploited. Mineral resources such as
gold, gemstones and bauxite are still to be tapped. The 2,500km
coastline produces marine products, especially prawns, which are
the country’s largest single export.
Mozambique has a tropical climate, which is hot and humid. The
wet season is from November to March, when about 80 per cent of
annual rainfall falls.
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