Mozambique Geography: Country Facts and Regions
Understand Mozambique’s geography, provinces and regional differences, with a clear country reference and links to the guides that help you plan your trip.
On this page
Mozambique is a country on the southeastern coast of mainland Africa, facing the Indian Ocean. Understanding its provinces and landscapes helps you put the places in your itinerary in context. Start with the country reference here, then use our where-to-go guide to choose your stops.
Where is Mozambique?
Mozambique lies on Africa’s Indian Ocean coast and shares land borders with six countries: Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Eswatini. Madagascar lies across the Mozambique Channel; it is not a land neighbour. The national capital is Maputo. These locations follow the Mozambican government’s geography reference.
The distinction between the mainland and the islands matters when you plan. A booking in Mozambique could mean a mainland town or an island stay. Ask for the actual destination and transfer arrangements; the country name alone tells you very little about the journey.
Mozambique at a glance
Mozambique’s basic country reference starts with Maputo, Portuguese and the metical. Practical requirements have their own guides so you can check the details relevant to your trip.
| Detail | Reference | Read next |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Maputo City | Maputo guide |
| Official language | Portuguese | Languages and useful phrases |
| Currency | Metical | Money and costs |
| International dialling code | +258 | Staying connected |
| Independence | 25 June 1975 | History of Mozambique |
| Total area | 799,380 km² | Provinces and terrain below |
The country identifiers come from the government’s general-information page. The area is reported by the Instituto Nacional de Estatística in its 2024 Statistical Yearbook. The year identifies the statistical publication; it is not a claim that every figure on this page was measured in 2026.
Provinces and regions: why you see both ten and eleven
Mozambique has ten provinces plus Maputo City as a separate provincial-level unit. That is why references can appear to disagree about the count. Maputo City and Maputo Province are separate entries, not duplicate names for the same area.
| Regional grouping | Provinces | How to use it in this guide |
|---|---|---|
| South | Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane; Maputo City is listed separately | Start with the Mozambique destination guide, then choose the individual town guides. |
| Centre | Sofala, Manica, Tete, Zambézia | Use province names to distinguish the coast from inland destinations. |
| North | Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Niassa | Check the exact destination, access arrangements and current advice before building an itinerary. |
This table uses the government’s regional grouping. INE’s Vital Statistics 2024–2025 describes the administrative structure as ten provinces and the capital city.
Regional labels help with orientation. Check the particular route you intend to take. Read our safety guide and the current official travel advice when choosing where to go.
Coast, plateaux and mountains
Mozambique’s terrain includes coastal plains, inland plateaux and mountains. The government’s geography account describes a broad southern coastal plain cut by river valleys, including the Limpopo, and a northern plateau with a narrower coastal strip. The Zambezi is a useful geographical reference between those broad landform descriptions.
Mozambique also reaches much higher ground. ANAC, the national conservation authority, identifies Mount Binga in Chimanimani as the country’s highest peak, in Manica Province near the Zimbabwe border. Its Chimanimani park profile describes rocky mountain landscapes and distinctive plants and animals. A beach photograph tells only part of the country’s story.
For a coastal trip, our island guide explains the offshore destinations, while the beach guide helps you compare mainland bases. Keep those choices separate from a country-wide geography overview: a place’s position on the map does not tell you the current transfer time.
Turn the geography into a workable trip
A Mozambique itinerary works best when you check each connection between the places you choose. Use this sequence:
- Pick the places you want to visit in the destination guide.
- Check the connections in getting around Mozambique.
- Compare your dates with the when-to-visit guide.
- Use the 10-day itinerary as a planning example, then adjust it to your own arrival and departure points.
If your plans include our Bazaruto and Benguerra day trip, tell us where you are staying when you enquire. That gives us a concrete starting point for the day’s arrangements.
Common questions
Understanding the map.
Is Mozambique a country or an island?
Does Mozambique have ten or eleven provinces?
Is Maputo City the same as Maputo Province?
Is Zambézia in northern or central Mozambique?
Still not sure?
Our travel guide can help you connect country background with trip planning. Return to the travel-guide contents, or contact us with the places you have in mind.
Last reviewed: 6 September 2026. Sources: Mozambique’s government geography and general-information references; INE’s 2024 Statistical Yearbook and Vital Statistics 2024–2025; ANAC’s Chimanimani profile. Each source is linked beside the relevant information. Current routes and travel restrictions require a separate check before departure.
