| :: Moçambique Background
Politics & Economics
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Peace continues to prevail in Moçambique and the government are doing all they can to rebuild the economy. Very little was left after Portuguese departure, for hundreds of years Portugal stripped Moçambique of its natural wealth and established very little lasting infrastructure. At independence in 1975, 95% of the population was illiterate, and active support of the South African and Rhodesian independence struggles by Frelimo's one party Marxist state accelerated Mozambique's economic decline.
State owned enterprises have now been privatised, press freedom is encouraged and tourism is being highly promoted. Luxurious lodges and hotels have been built along the coast, and roads, school and hospitals are steadily being upgraded. |
The economy is built mainly upon Moçambique's natural resources. Nowadays, however, the volume of exports is nothing like that experienced during the colonial era. Copra is still exported, although this industry is affected by periodic cyclones that uproot the trees and dislodge young coconuts. Cashew nuts and also exported,
and the coast provides a great deal of excellent quality fish and seafood. Prawns are found in the mangroves of the Incomati River mouth and at Maputo, a decline in their population has been attributed to the loss of mangroves due to drainage for development.
Pelagic fish such as anchovy, barracuda & sardine are found throughout the shallow, coastal waters and tuna, marlin & sailfish are found in deeper waters. St. Lazarus Bank, east of Mozimboa da Praia, is one of the few places in the world where marlin still breed. Of all Moçambique's exports, tourism remains the most sustainable and is the perfect way to promote the environmental and cultural highlights of this unique country.
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