MOZAMBIQUE', a territory on the e. coast of South Africa, nominally belonging to Portugal, and placed under a governor-general, although the actual possessions of Port ugal consist only of a few stations, and her authority in the country is inconsiderable. It extends from cape Delgado, in lat. 10° 41' s., to Dclagoa bay, 26' south. The chief river, the Zambesi, divides it into two portions—Mozambique proper on the n., and Sotala on the south. Area estimated at 283,500 sq.m.; pop. 300,000. These figures, however, are only to be considered approximative, as the country has no definite boun dary to the west.. The coasts, which comprise large tracts of cultivated soil, yielding rich harvests in rice, are fringed with reefs, islands, and shoals; and between Delagoa bay and cape 'Corrientes, and from Mozambique, the principal station, to cape Delgado, the shores are high and steep. The forests yield valuable ornamental woods; ivory is obtained from the. hippopotami that haunt the marshes; and gold and copper are found and wort:ed. The elephant, deer, and lion inhabit the jungle; crocodiles are found in the rivers, and numerous flamingoes on the coasts. The rainy season lasts from November to March. The summer heat is very great, and the climate, which is fine in the elevated tracts, is unhealthy on the low shores and the swampy districts. Besides numerous fruits
and vegetables, the grains are rice, millet, maize, and wheat. The government is in a most inefficient state, being, in most places, more iii the hands of native chiefs than of the Portuguese. In former times the slave-trade was carried on here extensively; and from 1846 to 1857 four governors-general were removed by their government for countenancing, if not actively engaging in it. The colony is divided into six districts, and is ruled by the governor-general and his secretary, assisted by ajunta. Religion and education arc supervised by about 12 Roman Catholic priests, but seem to be at the lowest ebb. Fish and turtle are caught in great quantities on the islands and reefs; pearl-fish ing is a source of considerable profit; cattle, sheep, and goats are numerous, and the principal exports are grain, gold-dust, honey, tortoise-shell, cowries, gums, and amber. The Portuguese arrived here in 1497, attracted by rumors of the wealth of the country and the excellence of its ports. The principal settlements are Mozambique, Quilimane, Sena, and Tete.