MOZAMBIQUE
Geography and Landscape
Geography and Landscape
Basic information | |
Official language | Portuguese |
Capital | Maputo |
Area | 801.590 kmĀ² |
Population | 32,748,623 (2021) |
Currency | new metical (MZN) |
Web | .mz |
Code. | MZB |
Tel. | +258 |
Geography and Landscape
Geography
Mozambique is located in south-east Africa and lies between South Africa and Tanzania. Mozambique borders on Malawi, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The surface area of Mozambique is 801,590 square kilometres.
Mozambique Satellite PhotoPhoto:Public domain
Landscape
The landscape consists mainly of flat coastal areas, with a mountainous area in the middle. 44% of the country is lowland (below 200 m). In Cabo Delgado and Nampula, the lowlands consist of no more than a coastal plain about 60 km wide, but extend around the Zambezi delta deep into the interior.
The 2655 km long coast is characterised in the north by cliffs and around the Zambezi delta (8000 km²) by extensive mangrove swamps. In the south, the estuaries are more rare and here too there is an alternation of shallows and mangrove swamps with a number of bays opening to the north.
South of Ponta Da Barra the coast is characterised by dunes and lagoons. In the interior of northern and central Mozambique, the lowlands gradually give way to a gently rolling plateau rising from 200 to 1000 metres.
43% of the country consists of a plateau (200-1000 m). On the plateau, there are some striking mountain ridges such as the Gorongosa Mountains, south of the Zambezi. Finally, there is the Malkonde mountain range in the extreme north-east. In the south, the Lembobo Mountains are up to 1000 m high. 13% of the country consists of mountain land (1000-1500 m).
Prai do Tofo, beach in south-east MozambiquePhoto: Erik Cleves Kristensen CC BY 2.0 no changes made
Climate and Weather
The climate in Mozambique ranges from tropical in the north to subtropical in the south of the country. Cyclones regularly pass through the country. The rainy season is from December to April, with the best chance of lovely holiday weather between May and October.
Plants and Animals
Plants
Mozambique has vegetation that is typical of tropical and subtropical regions. Common trees include acacia, ebony, mahogany, oelin, palm, rubber tree and monkey bread tree.
Animals
Mozambique has a rich fauna, including antelopes, buffaloes, giraffes, crocodiles, rhinos, hippos and elephants.
Sources
Elmar Landeninformatie
CIA - World Factbook
BBC - Country Profiles
Copyright: Team The World of Info