# Mozambican metical

> currency

**Wikidata**: [Q200753](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q200753)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozambican_metical)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mozambican-metical

## Summary

The Mozambican metical is the official currency of Mozambique, a country in Southeastern Africa. It was introduced on June 16, 1980, following Mozambique's independence from the Portuguese Empire in 1975. The metical serves as the generally accepted medium of exchange for goods and services within the country.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name:** Mozambican metical
- **Alias:** Metical
- **Type:** Currency
- **Issuance Date:** June 16, 1980
- **Issuing Authority:** Mozambique (country)
- **Country of Use:** Mozambique
- **Historical Context:** Introduced after Mozambique gained sovereignty on June 25, 1975, ending Portuguese colonial rule (Portuguese Empire: 1501–1975)
- **Capital City:** Maputo (coordinates: lat -25.891912, lon 32.600038)
- **Regional Classification:** Southeastern Africa
- **Related Unit of Mass:** Mithqal (4.25 grams)
- **Sitelink Count:** 51

## FAQs

**What is the Mozambican metical?**

The Mozambican metical is the official currency of Mozambique, introduced in 1980 as the country's national medium of exchange for goods and services following independence from Portugal.

**When was the Mozambican metical introduced?**

The metical was introduced on June 16, 1980, shortly after Mozambique achieved independence from the Portuguese Empire on June 25, 1975.

**What is Mozambique's role in the metical's existence?**

Mozambique is the sovereign nation that issues and uses the metical as its official currency. The country has been in its current form since June 25, 1975, when it became an independent state after centuries of Portuguese colonial rule beginning in 1501.

**What does "metical" mean in terms of measurement?**

The metical is related to the mithqal, a unit of mass equal to 4.25 grams, though this connection is historical rather than representing a direct monetary conversion.

**Where is Mozambique located?**

Mozambique is a country located in Southeastern Africa, with its capital city of Maputo situated at coordinates latitude -25.891912 and longitude 32.600038.

## Why It Matters

The Mozambican metical represents more than just a medium of exchange—it symbolizes Mozambique's economic sovereignty and post-colonial identity. Following independence in 1975, the introduction of a national currency in 1980 marked a critical step in establishing the country's independent economic framework, separate from the Portuguese colonial system. The metical facilitates domestic trade, enables government monetary policy, and serves as a foundation for Mozambique's economic development in the decades since independence. As the country continues to develop its economy following decades of colonial rule and subsequent challenges, the metical remains central to Mozambique's financial infrastructure and its integration into regional and global trade networks.

## Notable For

- Being the official currency of one of Africa's largest countries by area
- Representing Mozambique's post-independence economic sovereignty
- Facilitating commerce in a nation that transitioned from Portuguese colonial rule to independent statehood in 1975
- Serving as a key institution in Mozambique's financial system since 1980

## Body

### History and Origins

The Mozambican metical was introduced on June 16, 1980, establishing a distinct national currency for newly independent Mozambique. The country had achieved independence from the Portuguese Empire on June 25, 1975, ending over 470 years of colonial rule that began in 1501. The creation of the metical represented a fundamental step in building the economic infrastructure of the sovereign nation, replacing the colonial monetary system with a currency tied to Mozambique's own economic policies and development goals.

### Geographic and Political Context

Mozambique is located in Southeastern Africa and represents one of the largest countries on the African continent. The capital city, Maputo, serves as the administrative center and is situated at coordinates latitude -25.891912 and longitude 32.600038. The nation has been in its current sovereign form since June 25, 1975, when it was recognized as an independent state following the Carnation Revolution in Portugal and subsequent decolonization processes across Portuguese territories in Africa.

### Classification and Relationships

The Mozambican metical is classified as a currency, defined as a generally accepted medium of exchange for goods or services. This classification places it within a broad category of national monetary units used worldwide. The metical has a historical connection to the mithqal, a unit of mass equal to 4.25 grams, reflecting historical relationships between monetary systems and measures of weight that characterized many pre-modern and colonial economies.

### Institutional Presence

The Mozambican metical maintains a significant digital and encyclopedic presence, with 51 sitelinks across various platforms. The currency is documented under the Wikipedia title "Mozambican metical" and carries the Wikidata description of "currency," enabling widespread reference and accessibility for researchers, economists, and general audiences seeking information about Mozambique's monetary system.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013