Mozambique is a former colony of Portugal, holding that stat status from 1505 to 1975. It gained its independance and was immediately declared a People's Republic. A civil war lasted from 1977 to 1992. By 1990, reforms had started providing for a "multi-party political system, market-based economy, and free elections "  . Their success caused millions of Mozambique self-exiles to return during their 1990s.  
 
While Mozambique has seen rapid economic growth since the end of its civil war, it still remains relatively impoverished. Its economy over-relies on small-scale agricalture. The existing titanium reserves of the country are likely its best hope to develop its foreign trade.