Geography
The Republic of Mozambique is a country in southeastern Africa, a former Portuguese colony. Mozambique washed by the Indian Ocean to the East, bordered by Tanzania to the North, Malawi and Zambia to the Northwest, Zimbabwe to the West and Swaziland and SOUTH AFRICA to the South. The State party of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Commonwealth of Portuguese-speaking countries, 45% of the territory it occupies coastal lowland. Mountains (10%) are located in the Northwest. The highest point is Monte Binga (2437 m). A country of 25 million populations, Mozambique has the legs, is divided into two parts, the great African longest Ocean coastline in Africa, leaving behind all the other 53 States of the black continent. This is nearly 3000 miles, and more-golden beaches, often uninhabited islets. Mainland of Mozambique (801 590 sq.êì, 35 in the world,16-in Africa), its outline on the map resembles many tourists whether the lion or poodle, standing on its hind Zambezi River.
Vaccinations
Before arriving in the country require vaccination against hepatitis a, hepatitis b, typhoid fever. Vaccination against yellow fever was of a recommendatory nature. Children must be immunized in accordance with the age. On entering the country, health insurance is not required but it is recommended to have in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Customs
Import of foreign currency is not limited; the Declaration is required for amounts more than 5000 USD. Import and export of national currency is prohibited. Duty-free import of persons older than 18 years of age: up to 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g. tobacco; wine is up to 2.5 liters, spirits-up to 1 l, up to 50 ml of perfume or 250 ml of Eau de toilette, medicine is within the personal needs, gifts worth up to 100 USD. Importation of drugs, arms and ammunition, gold, Platinum and silver bullion, coins or plates without the permission of the Bank of the country, alcoholic beverages, as well as photos, graphics, printed materials and videos "indecent or against Republic of Mozambique or Mozambican people's dignity." Banned export of ivory and ivory products
Currency
International name: MZM
One metical equals 100 centavos. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 metical, coins in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos, 1, 2, 5 and 10 metical. At any point of sale readily accept United States dollars and South African Rand. In the South it is possible to pay for a large number of things and services randami. Better to change money at private exchange offices in Maputo (best rate) or banks (safer, High Commission). About exchanging money on the street is worth forgetting immediately is extremely insecure. The use of credit cards and traveler’s cheques is difficult throughout the country, and even impossible. Banking hours: Mon-Fri 7:30-11:15and 15:00-16:30. Practically in all shops and souvenir shops will gladly accept not only national currency, but also United States dollars and South African Rand (the South loves them especially).
Security
Despite the fact that the country's civil war continued for a long time, the people of Mozambique are very friendly and kindly refer to tourists. It is necessary to observe the elementary rules of hygiene: don't drink don't drink water and use other personal hygiene means. Vaccination is not obligatory, but recommended inoculations from dengue fever, as well as prevention against malaria. Fans of self-drive tours must use the services of a qualified guide and the beaten paths, or abandon the idea of travel around the country on their own. For fishing license is required, which can be obtained from the Maritime Province-specific management. From smoking in public places from 2007 onwards, but most restaurants and bars the law ignored.
Climate
Northern climate is subequatorial monsoon climate, and Central and southern-tropical. Two seasons: wet (summer-November-March) and dry (winter is June-October).The average annual air temperature accounted for +22°-27° c in mountainous regions is +18°. Precipitation in the form of tropical rainstorms, floods happen. 2/3 of the territory receives less than 1000 mm of rain per year, and are subject to regular droughts (3 years from 10-arid). In the mountains fall more than 1000 mm of rain per year.
Miscellaneous
Language: official language: Portuguese. In addition to the Portuguese language, also English (especially in the capital). The most common local languages - imakua, chinyandzha , chishona and shangaan.
Mozambique, tipping in a restaurant about 10 % of the total booking. Porters give "for tea" about 0.5 USD per item of luggage, the driver or the Guide — 1-2 USD per day. The use of credit cards and travel checks nearly impossible throughout the country.
Transport
Domestic flights — the fastest and smartest way to travel around the country. Airlines, Linhas Aereas de Moçambique organize flights to all major cities of Mozambique, airplanes — are comfortable and modern. Railway in the country are not popular, there is a line in the North of Mozambique, near the border of Malawi, from Nampula to Cuamba. Trains from Kenya (Harare) to Beira, and from Johannesburg (SOUTH AFRICA) through Swaziland to Maputo. For the purpose of movement within the country local often use buses and Chapas (a kind of “Mozambican bus " ). They start their working day very early, about 4 am. Chapas , usually run on a shorter distance than the bus , as well as famous for a minimum of comfort and lack of air conditioning. The cost of travel by Chapas nowhere specified, so that with a rich white tourists can ask for much more than paying a local resident. To prevent this, enough in advance to ask at what time can do a trip from point a to point b. Taxi in Mozambique do not have meters, so what about the cost of the trip must agree in advance. In addition, it is worth to stick to one rule: don't pay until the taxi did not arrive at their destination. In Maputo, the payment is fixed: MZN 200 per trip through the city centre and 400 and more MZN over long distances. Early morning taxi drivers tend to become impudent and require a double tariff.
Cuisine
The Portuguese left a mark not only in culture and religion of the country, but also in the national cuisine of Mozambique. Mixed with traditional African dishes, it is a pretty tasty and tempting mix, especially in a fish menu. Try piri piri (Piri-Piri) gravy - African analogue of spicy chili. Pãozinho - rolls from pork or beef, served with semi-sweet bread. Maman (Matapa) - fish dishes, as a rule, crab or shrimp, cooked with leaves Casave and rice. Prawns are marinated in a sauce of National Camarão Piri-Piri, garlic, onions, lemon and vinegar — Word, unforgettable mixture. And, finally, Cocoa (Kakana) is bitter to taste local vegetable. Another local dish is a stew, to which is added broken dried fish, deep-fried and mixed with chicken, potatoes, onion, Chile and water. Popular local beer 2 m (pronounced "doysh –em”), Laurentina Clara and Manica, as well as from neighboring African countries: Castle or Windhoek. Strong alcohol like gin or vodka is inexpensive and is sold everywhere. You can try the local vodka porridge (cashu), which is made from cashews, has a sour taste and, as they say, good affect male
