C. After a decade of a guerrilla warfare, Mozambique gained independence in 1975 from Portugal, which had ruled the area since the 1500s. Portuguese is the official language of Mozambique, although it is spoken by only half by the population. The decades of warfare killed an estimated 1 million people and left the nation’s economy in shambles. Mozambique is one of the poorest nations in the world.

Q: All of Mozambique’s neighbors have a higher gross domestic product (GDP) per person, but which neighbor has the highest?

A. South Africa

B. Tanzania

C. Zambia

D. Zimbabwe

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A. South Africa’s GDP per person is $11,500 a year compared with $1,200 in Mozambique, according to the CIA World Factbook. Mozambique is bordered by Tanzania to the north; Malawi and Zambia to the northwest; Zimbabwe to the west; and Eswatini and South Africa to the southwest. South Africa is Mozambique's largest trading partner, followed by India and China.

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Q: Poaching during the Mozambique’s civil war also endangered several other animal species. What large island nation off of Mozambique’s eastern coast is struggling with existential threats to its unique animals?

A. Bahrain

B. Cape Verde

C. East Timor

D. Madagascar

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D. Long isolated from neighboring continents, Madagascar is home to animals found nowhere else on Earth. The arrival of humans on the island led to the extinction of many species, and continued human activity is threatening many more of the rare animals.

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Q: Madagascar is in which ocean?

A. Atlantic

B. Indian

C. Pacific

D. Southern

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B. Africa is bordered on the east by the Indian Ocean and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Madagascar is separated from Africa’s east coast by the Mozambique Channel.

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