The greater part of Mozambique is a plateau with savannah vegetation.
Elevations are higher to the north of the country.
The coast is fringed by coral reefs and lagoons. The climate, hottest along the coast, is tropical, with most rain falling between October and March. Many years of civil war came to an end in October 1992, when a treaty was signed between the Frelimo government of President Joaquim Chissano and the Renamo guerrilla leader Afonso Dhlakama. Both parties are finding negotiations difficult. Not all the sites planned for Renamo to demobilize and disarm were ready on schedule, and in general progress in disarmament has been slow.