Mozambique is a beautiful country located in Southeastern Africa. It has a rich culture and history that can be puzzling at times. Let’s explore 55 riddles about Mozambique to learn more about this fascinating nation.
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
What is the capital and largest city of Mozambique?
Answer: Maputo
Riddle 2
I’m a major port city in northern Mozambique. I’m located on a peninsula jutting into the Mozambique Channel. What city am I?
Answer: Nacala
Riddle 3
Which large lake forms part of the border between Mozambique and Malawi?
Answer: Lake Niassa (also known as Lake Malawi)
Riddle 4
Name the archipelago located off the northern coast of Mozambique in the Mozambique Channel.
Answer: The Quirimbas Islands
Riddle 5
I’m a 1,500 mile long river that flows through Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. What river am I?
Answer: The Limpopo River
History Riddles
Riddle 6
Which European country colonized Mozambique in the 16th century?
Answer: Portugal
Riddle 7
What was the name of the Marxist liberation movement that fought for Mozambique’s independence from Portugal?
Answer: FRELIMO (The Mozambique Liberation Front)
Riddle 8
In what year did Mozambique gain independence from Portugal?
Answer: 1975
Riddle 9
What was the name of the civil war fought in Mozambique from 1977 to 1992?
Answer: The Mozambican Civil War
Riddle 10
Who was Mozambique’s first president after gaining independence?
Answer: Samora Machel
Culture Riddles
Riddle 11
What is the most widely spoken language in Mozambique?
Answer: Portuguese
Riddle 12
I’m a stew or soup made with chicken, shrimp, coconut milk, peanut butter and chili peppers. What traditional Mozambican dish am I?
Answer: Matapa
Riddle 13
Piri piri and piri piri sauce are popular condiments in Mozambican cuisine made from what hot chili pepper?
Answer: African bird’s eye chili
Riddle 14
What is Mozambique’s most popular sport?
Answer: Football (soccer)
Riddle 15
The marrabenta is a form of music and dance native to Mozambique. What are the marrabenta’s origins?
Answer: It evolved from Portuguese folk music and African rhythms
Economy Riddles
Riddle 16
Mozambique was one of the world’s poorest countries after gaining independence. What industry accounted for most of its GDP in the 1970s-1990s?
Answer: Agriculture
Riddle 17
Since the 1990s, Mozambique has transitioned to a more market-based economy. What are its major exports now?
Answer: Aluminum, electricity, seafood, and other agricultural products
Riddle 18
Huge offshore natural gas fields were discovered near Mozambique in recent years. What energy companies are developing these resources?
Answer: Anadarko, ENI, ExxonMobil
Riddle 19
What is the name of Mozambique’s currency?
Answer: The Mozambican metical
Riddle 20
Roughly 70% of Mozambicans work in which economic sector?
Answer: Agriculture
Wildlife Riddles
Riddle 21
I’m a big cat species found in Mozambique’s national parks. I’m the world’s fastest land mammal. What animal am I?
Answer: The cheetah
Riddle 22
Gorongosa National Park was devastated during Mozambique’s civil war, with animal populations declining over 90%. What animal has made an impressive comeback there?
Answer: The African elephant
Riddle 23
I’m a large bird species native to sub-Saharan Africa, including Mozambique. I’m the world’s tallest flying bird. What am I?
Answer: The ostrich
Riddle 24
Mozambique has important nesting grounds for which giant sea turtle species?
Answer: The leatherback sea turtle
Riddle 25
Which venomous snake species found in Mozambique is one of the deadliest in Africa?
Answer: The black mamba
Landmarks Riddles
Riddle 26
I’m a 16th century Portuguese fort located on Mozambique Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What am I called?
Answer: Fort São Sebastião
Riddle 27
The Cahora Bassa Dam on the Zambezi River is one of the largest dams in Southern Africa. In which country is it located?
Answer: Mozambique
Riddle 28
Mount Binga is the highest point in Mozambique, reaching 7,992 feet (2,436 m). In which province is it located?
Answer: Manica Province
Riddle 29
I’m a 19th century palace in Maputo built in a blend of Portuguese and Arab architectural styles. What am I called?
Answer: The Palace of São Sebastião
Riddle 30
The Island of Mozambique is renowned for its Swahili architecture and mix of African, Arabic, and European influences. In which body of water is it located?
Answer: The Mozambique Channel
Politics Riddles
Riddle 31
Who is the current President of Mozambique?
Answer: Filipe Nyusi
Riddle 32
Renamo was an anti-communist group that fought FRELIMO in the Mozambican Civil War. What is it now?
Answer: An opposition political party
Riddle 33
Mozambique operates under which form of government?
Answer: A multiparty democracy
Riddle 34
How many provinces are there in Mozambique?
Answer: 10
Riddle 35
When did Mozambique adopt its current constitution?
Answer: 1990
Miscellaneous Riddles
Riddle 36
What is Mozambique’s country code top-level domain (ccTLD)?
Answer: .mz
Riddle 37
How many UNESCO World Heritage sites are there in Mozambique?
Answer: 2 (Mozambique Island and Island of Saint George)
Riddle 38
What colors are featured on Mozambique’s national flag?
Answer: Green, black, yellow, white, and red
Riddle 39
Mozambique celebrates its Independence Day on June 25th. From which country did it gain independence?
Answer: Portugal
Riddle 40
What is Mozambique’s international telephone dialing code?
Answer: +258
Food Riddles
Riddle 41
Prego rolls filled with steak, peppers, and garlic are popular street food in Mozambique. What type of bread are the prego rolls made from?
Answer: Portuguese rolls
Riddle 42
Which starchy tuber is used to make xima, a porridge-like staple in Mozambique?
Answer: Cassava
Riddle 43
What type of seafood is commonly used in Mozambican coconut curries and stews?
Answer: Prawns/shrimp
Riddle 44
Which tropical fruit is grown extensively in Mozambique and often used in juices, jams, and desserts?
Answer: Pineapple
Riddle 45
Which bean is used to make tocos, a salty Mozambican snack made of deep fried bean flour balls?
Answer: Black-eyed peas
Geography Riddles
Riddle 46
Mozambique is located on the coast of which ocean?
Answer: Indian Ocean
Riddle 47
Name the island country located northeast of Mozambique across the Mozambique Channel.
Answer: Madagascar
Riddle 48
Which major river forms part of Mozambique’s border with Zimbabwe?
Answer: Zambezi River
Riddle 49
What is the local name for the coastal lowlands region of Mozambique?
Answer: Chimoio
Riddle 50
Name the highland plateau region that covers much of central Mozambique.
Answer: Angonia Plateau
Movies and TV Riddles
Riddle 51
Which 2010 documentary chronicled a group of child soldiers during Mozambique’s civil war?
Answer: War Dance
Riddle 52
Gorongosa National Park: Rebirth of Paradise is a documentary narrated by which famous actor?
Answer: Leonardo DiCaprio
Riddle 53
Which 2004 thriller starring Will Smith was partially set and filmed in Maputo, Mozambique?
Answer: I, Robot
Riddle 54
In what country did Walter White claim to do volunteer work on Breaking Bad to account for his time cooking meth?
Answer: Mozambique
Riddle 55
Which 1981 comedy film starring Chevy Chase was set in the fictional country of Maldovia, a parody of Mozambique?
Answer: Modern Problems
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 55 riddles about Mozambique! From geography and history to culture, wildlife, and pop culture references, these brain teasers cover a wide range of fascinating facts about this diverse country. Let me know if you have any other riddles about Mozambique you’d like me to try and solve!
