The People?s Republic of Mozambique, a former overseas province of Portugal stretching from 1,400 miles (2,301 km.) along the southeast coast of Africa, has an area of 309,494 sq. mi. (783,030 sq. km.) and a population of 19.56 million. Capital: Maputo. Agriculture is the chief industry. Cashew nuts, cotton, sugar, copra and tea are exported. ,Vasco da Gama explored all the coast of Mozambique in 1498 and found Arab trading posts along the coast. Portuguese settlement dates from the establishment of the trading post of Mozambique in 1505. Within five years Portugal absorbed all the former Arab sultanates along the east African coast. The area was organized as a colony in 1907 and became an overseas province in 1952. In Sept. of 1974, after more than a decade of guerilla warfare with the forces of the Mozambique Liberation Front, Portugal agreed to the independence of Mozambique, effective June 25, 1975. Mozambique became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations in November 1995. The President is Head of State; the Prime Minister is Head of Government.,, Rulers:,,, ,Portuguese to 1975,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Pound Sterling = Libra Esterlina (pound sterling),, ,1 Mil Reis = 1000 Reis to 1910,, ,1 Escudo = 100 Centavos, 1971-1975,, ,1 Escudo = 1 Metica = 100 Centimos, 1975-,,