Republic of Mozambique

República Popular de Moçambique

CAPITAL: Maputo (formerly Lourenço Marques)

FLAG: The flag consists of broad stripes of green, black, and yellow, separated by narrow bands of white. Extending from the hoist is a red triangle; centered on the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star upon which is a white book over which are crossed the black silhouettes of a hoe and an AK 47 rifle.

ANTHEM: Begins "Viva viva FRELIMO."

MONETARY UNIT: The Mozambique escudo (ME), linked until 1977 with the Portuguese escudo, was in June 1980 renamed the metical (MT); it is a paper currency of 100 centavos. There are coins of ¹/2, 1, 2¹/2, 5, 10, and 20 meticais, and notes of 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 meticais. MT1=$0.000043 (or $1=MT23,220) as of April 2003).

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in use.

HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, 1 January; Heroes' Day, 3 February; Women's Day, 7 April; Workers' Day, 1 May; Independence Day, 25 June; Victory Day, 7 September; Day...