The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese. This language is a remnant of the country's colonial history, as Mozambique was a Portuguese colony until gaining independence in 1975. Portuguese serves as a lingua franca among various ethnic groups within the country, which is home to around 40 different languages. While Portuguese is the language of government, education, and media, many Mozambicans also speak indigenous languages, such as Makhuwa, Sena, and Tsonga, reflecting the country's rich cultural diversity.