Welcome2Africa

WELCOME 2 AFRICA-MOZAMBIQUE INFO!

Official name: Republic of Mozambique
Area: 801,600 sq km
Capital: Maputo
Population: 17 million, African (99%, including Shangaan, Chokwe, Manyika, Sena and Makua)
Language: Portuguese
Religion: Indigenous beliefs (50%), Christian (30%), Muslim (20%)
Government: Republic
President: Joaquim Alberto Chissano

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

Climate:
The climate in Mozambique varies according to area. Inland is cooler than the coast and rainfall higher as the land rises, with most rain between January and March. Hottest and wettest season is October to March. From April to September the coast has warm, mainly dry weather tempered by sea breezes. In the dry season temperatures will usually reach up to 27 degrees celsius and during the rainy season you will finding temperatures going well into the 30's.

Currency:
In Mozambique the local currency is called Metical. The exchange rate was as of the 1st of March 2004: Metical 100000 = USD 5 and Metical 100000 = EUR 4. There are bureaux de change at the airports. Money can also be changed at banks. It is advisable to take US Dollars or South African Rand. Credit cards are rarely used in shops. However, money can be obtained from some ATMs using Visa credit or debit cards. High rates of commission are often charged on Travellers cheques. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Pounds sterling, US Dollars or South African Rand.

Tips:
Tipping is not generally expected outside Maputo. In Maputo and other tourist-exposed areas, 5-15 per cent of the bill is normal (depending on standards of service and the place itself).

Time difference:
GMT/UTC +2 hours. In Mozambique you do not go from wintertime to summertime.

Local specialities:
The cuisine is mainly Portuguese with Far Eastern influences. Specialities are piri-piri chicken, Zambesi chicken, shellfish, including Delagoa Bay prawns (which are grilled and served with piri-piri sauce), matapa (sauce of ground peanuts and cassava leaves) with rice or wusa (stiff maize porridge). Restaurants are to be found in main towns, as well as hotel dining rooms.

Shopping:
Special purchases include basketwork, reed mats, woodcarvings, masks, printed cloth and leather articles. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1230 and 1400-1730, Sat 0800-1800.