Country: Mozambique
Capital: Maputo
Population: 18,811,731
Size: 801,590 square km
Languages: Portuguese (official); and three main African language groups: Makua-Lomwe, Tsonga and Sena-Nyanja
Currency: 1 metical = 100 centavos
Literacy: Male 63.5%, Female 32.7%
Politics
Governance
A new constitution came in to force in1990. Mozambique is a multiparty democratic republic with the president being both head of the state and the government. The executive power rests with the president who appoints and presides over a council of ministers. The president also appoints the prime minister. Legislative authority belongs to the 250-strong National Assembly. Both the President and the National Assembly are elected for 5-year terms. The last elections in December 1999 brought President Joaquim Chissano of the FRELIMO to power.
