Mozambique (population 18.54 million) is a country in south eastern Africa

that covers an area of 801,590 square kilometres. Its boundaries border Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the Mozambique Channel. Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. The following years were marked by economic dependence on South Africa, severe drought, and a prolonged civil war which hindered the country's development. Maputo, with its population of 1.1 million is the capital city. For administrative purposes, the country is divided in 10 provinces.

According to the United Nations human development index (HDI), Mozambique is ranked 171/177 countries worldwide (value 0.354)¹ and 39/45 African countries for which an index is available. This places Mozambique in the group of countries with low human development.