Country

Mozambique is an independent Republic in southern Africa, and a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Commonwealth of Nations. Before independence in 1975 Mozambique, then known as Mozambique province, was a Portuguese colony.

It is an area of 799,300 square kilometres, and is surrounded by Tanzania in the north, South Africa and Swaziland in the South, Malawi, and Zambia and Zimbabwe in the west and the Indian Ocean to the east. The latest population census puts the population at about 10,000 million inhabitants.

Maputo is the capital city and is located near the eastern border with Mozambique Channel (Indian Ocean). It lies between latitude 10 27' North: 26 52' South and Longitude 20 12' East and 40 51' East.

Mozambique has an invigorating tropical climate. Within the four seasons of the year, Mozambique has two, namely Summer running from June to February and Winter from March to July. Summer is the rainiest season while Winter often brings cold weather. The temperatures vary from 12 degrees c or less in the winter to a maximum of 35 degrees c or higher in Summer.

The Country boasts an abundance of natural resources. There are many deposits of diamond, silver, iron, copper, granite, clay, sandstone rock, a few deposits of gold, etc. There is also water in abundance.

Mozambique faces major economic and social challenges following the devastation of civil war. 70% of the country's population live in absolute poverty in the rural areas and access to health is difficult. To reach basic health services people have to travel up to 30kms, rising to 45kms for the nearest doctor. The rural literacy rate is an alarming 32%, dropping to 16% for women. As many as 45% of children are malnourished. Working with donors, the Government has prioritised public investment in education, health, water and sanitation.

Region

Angoche is a district of Nampula, situated in the north of Mozambique. The climate is humid tropical with a rainy season from December until April.

Angoche is the old Portuguese centre with wide roads leading from the outskirts of town to the sea and buildings from the imperial era. It consists of two housing areas (baerros) to the north and south of the centre holding a population of 60,000 inhabitants.

The history of Angoche was connected with slavery. In nowadays serves as a principal centre for artisan fishing and industrial enterprises such as cashew nut production, and rice, salt and cotton production. There are shops, supermarkets, restaurants and night clubs.