Nations of the world – Fun facts about Mozambique!
Mozambique – A new democracy in Africa
independence
Did you know- In the mid-1970s, like Seychelles (Africa), Suriname (South America), Guinea Bissau (Africa), and Papua New Guinea (Oceania), Mozambique became an independent nation on the planet. After more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Mozambique, a nation rich in resources, gained its independence on June 25, 1975. In the months that followed, the modern nation of Mozambique, a country that had been devastated by war ( 1977 -1992), joined the United Nations.
world famous women
Did you know- In the 1990s and 2000s, the Olympic team was led by Maria de Lourdes Mutola, who won a host of medals and trophies, including a gold medal at the XXVII Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Raised in the United States of America, Mutola (800m and 1500m/track and field) has been a female idol in Africa and Mozambique since 1996 when she won a bronze medal in the women’s 800m at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA.
modern history
Did you know- Following independence in 1975, this Portuguese-speaking nation, led by Samora Machel, became a Marxist state, backed by Russia and China, until the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Certainly, it was one of the last European colonies on the African continent. Around this time, the African country of Mozambique was boasting one of the worst civil wars in the world, between 1977 and 1992. Meanwhile, under that atmosphere, it was one of the ten poorest countries on Earth, along with other Marxist states. like Ethiopia. , Cambodia and Angola. During that time, the African nation became a Soviet satellite state in the Third World. However, Mozambique, like Guyana, Kenya, Mauritius and India, was an anti-apartheid leader on the planet.
During the Cold War, it was home to several anti-apartheid activists and black South Africans. In the following decade, the nation’s ruler, Joaquim Chissano, became one of the architects of the 1990 Constitution. In the following years, the modern nation of Mozambique held its first multi-party elections, making it one of the Africa’s first democracies in the 1990s, along with republics such as Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Ivory Coast. , the government and the Mozambican National Resistance (MNR) rebel signed a peace agreement in Rome, ending years of conflict. Armando Emilo Guebuza then won Mozambique’s first free presidential election in the 21st century.
Geography
Did you know- This former Marxist state is located on the southern coast of East Africa. The Portuguese-speaking country is surrounded by Tanzania (also a former socialist republic), Malawi (a former anti-communist nation), Zambia (a former British colony), Zimbabwe (one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world), Swaziland (an absolute monarchy), and South Africa. (a multiparty democracy). It is home to rainforests, swamps, savannahs, and several rivers.
Maputo
Did you know- The capital city is Maputo, which was established in 1544. It is located in the south. There are other metropolises like Beira and Nampula.
National Heroes
Did you know- This nation has a handful of idols: from Samora Moises Machel (former ruler of Mozambique, 1975-1986), Jose Craveirinha (author) and Maria de Lourdes Mutola (2000 Olympic champion, 800m) to Luis Bernardo Honwana (novelist) and Louise Dias. Diogo (former prime minister), as well as Graca Machel (one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most eminent activists for democracy and women’s rights).
Major International Organizations
Did you know- In addition to being an official member of the United Nations (UN), it is also a member of many international organizations: the Commonwealth (originally called the British Commonwealth of Nations), the Organization of African Unity (OAU), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). .
multisport events
Did you know- Interestingly, Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, has been chosen as the venue for the 2011 African Games.
woman and power
Did you know- Graca Machel, former First Lady of Mozambique (from 1975 to 1986) and South Africa (1998-1999), is an African pioneer in the fight for women’s rights. Thanks to its crusade for the rights of African women, Mozambique had one of the highest proportions of women in its national congress in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Graca, the wife of Nelson Mandela, was born on October 17, 1945 in Incadine, Gaza province, Mozambique. Meanwhile, in the 21st century, Mozambique became one of the first former Portuguese colonies in the world to elect a woman (Luisa Dias Diogo) as Head of Government.
tourism
Did you know- With its natural beauty, from spectacular waterfalls and unique tropical beaches to amazing rivers, quaint towns and historic buildings, and abundant wildlife, Mozambique is one of the planet’s new paradises. But there is more, of course. This land is home to the island of Mozambique, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
foreign relations
Did you know- The new democratic government has opened the country to the outside world, and today Mozambique maintains close relations with all African nations, Portugal, France, Great Britain and the United States of America. Like most of Africa, this Portuguese-speaking country has strong ties to the People’s Republic of China.