Stamps of Mozambique

The Republic of Mozambique (Portuguese: Moçambique or República de Moçambique), is a country in southeastern Africa. It was explored by Vasco da Gama in 1498 and colonized by Portugal in 1505. By 1510, the Portuguese had control of all of the former Arab sultanates on the east African coast. From about 1500, Portuguese trading posts and forts became regular ports of call on the new route to the east. It is a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and the Commonwealth of Nations, and an observer of the Francophonie. Mozambique (Moçambique) was named after Muça Alebique, a sultan. Mozambique is an LEDC (less economically developed country).