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Geography and Environment of Mozambique
Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Mozambique.
Speed
Overview
The Republic of Mozambique, 1,737-mile coastline stretches from the Rovuma River in the north, to Ponta de Ouro in the south. The country is mostly coastal lowlands, with uplands in the center, high plateaus (rising to 800 to 2,000 feet) in the northwest, and mountains (6,000 to 8,000 feet) in the west. The northern part of Mozambique is rugged, where mountains may reach a height of more than 8,000 feet. Africa’s fourth longest river, the Zambezi, divides Mozambique in half.
Detailed geography
Physical Features
- Terrain
- mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west
- Climate
- The climate in the plains and along the coast is warm and humid; the mountainous areas are cooler, although at times, equally wet. A hot, rainy season lasts from October to April. The rest of the year has a more moderate climate, with the coolest months in June and July. Rainfall is uneven and unpredictable; periodic droughts and floods occur. Mozambique experienced devastating floods in February and March 2000, causing loss of life and much destruction.
- Weather Patterns
- http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/MZXX0003?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
- Highest Point
- 2436 — Monte Binga 2,436 m
- Lowest Point
- Indian Ocean 0 m
Borders and Area
- Area (Comparative)
- slightly less than twice the size of California
- Border Countries
- Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km
Natural Resources and Hazards
- Natural Resources
- coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite
- Natural Hazards
- severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods occur in central and southern provinces
Environment and Land Use
- Current Environmental Issues
- a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem
- International Agreements
- party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements