Standing army, 20,000. Three-fourths of people Pagans. Christianity the state religion. Education is compulsory; 1,167 schools, with 150,906 pupils, in Imerina, the chief Province.
MOZAMBIQUE.Mo-zam-beek´.
A colonial possession of Portugal on the east coast of Africa. Area, 38,000 square miles. A few settlements and military posts exercise feeble authority over the inhabitants. The climate is genial, and the soil capable of producing wheat, maize, tobacco, cotton and sugar cane. The chief towns are: St. Sebastian (pop., 1,510), Ibo (pop. about 2,000), Sofala (pop. 2,000), and St. Thiajo Major. The forests abound in valuable timber trees; pearl fisheries are important, and the mineral deposits are of exceptional value. The gold mines of Mauica are supposed to be the richest in East Africa. Ivory is obtained in large quantities for the Indian market; annual value about $350,000. Other exports are India rubber, gums, oil, beeswax and corn. Shipping trade is carried on by about 400 vessels. The capital is Mozambique.
ZANZIBAR.Zan`ze-bar´.
An empire of Eastern Africa, consisting of the Island of Zanzibar, and settlements along the coast from Cape Delgado as far as 3° north latitude. The limits of the Sultan's dominions inland are not known; but, beyond a few travel routes, his authority extends but a little way from the coast. The island has an area of 625 square miles, and a population variously estimated from 150,000 to 300,000. Population of the town of Zanzibar, 90,000; of Bagamoyo, on the opposite mainland, 10,000.
The religion of the country is Mohammedanism. Christian missions are established on the island and far into the mainland. Value of imports, 1882, $4,000,000; exports, $5,000,000. The exports are ivory, cloves, India rubber and gum. In 1882, 85 vessels, of 89,773 tons, entered the ports. The imports are chiefly cotton cloths, rice, cereals, kerosene oil and guns.
