Mozambique
Mozambique - the hometown of cashew nuts
The Republic of Mozambique is situated in southeastern Africa and
covers an area of 799,400 square kilometers. The country is home to
approximately 18.9 million people, including more than 60 tribes,
most of whom are Bantu. Residents are Christian but traditional
religions also prevail. Portuguese is the official language, the
currency is the meticals, and the capital is Malieputuo (Maputo).

National Flag

The flag of Mozambique contains a yellow five-pointed star which
symbolizes the spirit of internationalism, as well as an open book
representing culture and education. A rifle and hoe denote unity
between the worker and the soldier in the defense of the motherland,
as well as nation-building. Green symbolizes agriculture and wealth,
red stands for the armed struggle for national liberation and
revolution, black symbolizes the African continent, yellow refers to
underground resources, and white symbolizes the people's struggle
for peace and justice.
History
In the 15th century, the Ma Shaona established what is now Zimbabwe
and Mozambique, in the vicinity of the Monomotapa Kingdom. In the
16th century, national power gradually declined and in 1505 the
Portuguese colonialists invaded. In 1700 the land became a
protectorate of the Portuguese, and became known as Portuguese East
Africa in 1752 under the direct rule of the Portuguese Governor. In
1951, Portugal changed its overseas provinces. Mozambique struggled
for its liberation from colonial rule, and on September 7, 1974, the
Mozambique Liberation Front and the Portuguese government signed the
Lusaka Agreement which gave Mozambique its independence. On June 25,
1975, independence was formally declared, and the Republic of
Mozambique established.
Economy and Cultural Customs
Situated in the southeast, Mozambique has one of Africa’s largest
coastal plains. It is the leading producer of cashew nuts,
accounting for 45% of the world's total. Therefore, Yu has referred
to Mozambique as "town of cashew nuts.". It also has rich coastal
fishery resources.
Most tribes have maintained the tradition of totem worship, and the
Makonde’s woodcarving is world-renowned. The strange yet
unpretentious carvings are highly valued in artistic circles.

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