Mozambique

Mozambicans are putting their shattering past behind them and are rebuilding their country at a remarkable pace. And there's a fair number of things to see, including stunning beaches, World Heritage sites, funky colonial architecture and colourful local culture.

A long, horrific civil war scarred the country and left a million land mines scattered about the countryside. Much of its wildlife was decimated, and cyclones have ravaged its coastline. Droughts and floods take turns rubbing salt in Mozambique's wounds.