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Mutare Area seen from Christmas Pass
Mutare Area viewed from Christmas Pass, showing Mutare, the fourth largest city in Zimbabwe.

Image: Seabifar

Zimbabwe Flag
Flag of Zimbabwe
Location map of Zimbabwe. Where in Africa is Zimbabwe?
Location map of Zimbabwe
A virtual guide to Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in South East Africa, separated from Zambia by the Zambezi River. The Limpopo River in south forms part of the border with South Africa, it is bordered in east by Mozambique, and in west by Botswana. The Namibia-Zambia-Botswana tripoint at the town of Kazungula (Zambia) lies about 100 meters from the Zimbabwe border and as such Namibia almost borders Zimbabwe.

With an area of 390,757 kmĀ² (150,872 sq mi), compared it is about half the size of Turkey or slightly larger than the US State of Montana. Zimbabwe was formerly known as Rhodesia, it declared independence from the United Kingdom in 1965, but was only recognized in April 1980.

The country has a population of 14.2 million people (2016 est.), most commonly spoken languages are English, Shona and Ndebele.
 

Republic of Zimbabwe

Country Profile



Background:
The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the [British] South Africa Company in 1923.
A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power.
In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia).
UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980.
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Official Name:
Republic of Zimbabwe
short form: Zimbabwe
formerly: Republic of Rhodesia and Zimbabwe Rhodesia.

ISO Country Code: zw, zwe

Time:
Local Time = UTC +2h

Country Calling Code: +263

Capital City: Harare (pop. 1.5 million)

Other Cities: Bulawayo, Chitungwiza, Mutare, Gweru, Kwekwe, Masvingo, Marondera.


Government:
Type: Parliamentary.
Constitution: 21 December 1979.
Independence: 18 April 1980 (from UK)

Geography:
Location: Landlocked country in Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia.
Area: 390,757 sq. km. (150,872 sq. mi.)
Terrain: Desert and savanna, mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east.

Climate: Subtropical and tropical, moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March).

People:
Nationality: Zimbabwean
Population: 14.2 million (2016 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Shona 71%, Ndebele 16%, other African 11%, white 1%, mixed and Asian 1%.
Religions: Christianity 75%, offshoot Christian sects, animist, and Muslim.
Languages: English (official); Chishona, Sindebele with various dialects.
Literacy: 90%

Natural resources: Coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals.

Agriculture products: Corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; sheep, goats, pigs.

Industries: Mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel; wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages.

Exports - commodities: platinum, cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing

Exports partners: China 27.8%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 14%, Botswana 12.5%, South Africa 7.6% (2015)

Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals, fuels, food products

Imports partners: South Africa 48.1%, China 12.1%, India 5.2%, Zambia 4.6% (2015)

Currency: Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWD)

Government System
Zimbabwe's government system is a full presidential republic; the chief of state and head of government is the president. The post of the prime minister was abolished in 2013 under the revised constitution. Democratic governance deteriorated in recent years. Beside widespread violations of human rights,the independence of the judiciary and the existence of independent media, is threatened by the ruling government.

Note: External links will open in a new browser window.

Official Sites of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Government
The Zimbabwe Government online.

Parliament of Zimbabwe
Official website of the Parliament in Harare.


Zimbabwe Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Official website of the ministry.

Diplomatic Missions
Zimbabwe - Permanent Mission to the United Nations
Site of Zimbabwe's representation to the UN.

The Embassy of Zimbabwe in the US
Washington D.C.
Embassy of Zimbabwe Canada
Ottawa

Statistics
Zimbabwe National Statistics (ZIMSTAT)

Weather
Zimbabwe Department of Meteorological Services


Maps

Map of Zimbabwe
Political Map of Zimbabwe.


Google Earth Google Earth Zimbabwe
Searchable map and satellite view of Zimbabwe.
Google Earth Google Earth Harare
Searchable map and satellite view of Zimbabwe's capital city.
Google Earth Google Earth Victoria Falls
Satellite view of Victoria Falls.

Political Map of Africa
All 54 countries of Africa on one map.
Map of Africa
A Relief Map of Africa.

Great Zimbabwe ruins
Great Zimbabwe, a ruined city in the southeastern hills of Zimbabwe. The city was built between the 11th and the 14th century. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the Late Iron Age. The Great Zimbabwe National Monument official website is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Image: Mike
 

News/Newspapers

Zimbabwe has draconian media laws require journalists to be accredited by a state-appointed commission. Police regularly arrest and deport foreign journalists for working in the country without clearance. (Source: BBC)

allafrica.com: Zimbabwe
Current news from Zimbabwe.
The Chronicle
Government controlled press (Bulawayo).
The Daily News
Daily independent newspaper, with the largest circulation.
Financial Gazete
Weekly independent press.
Herald
Government controlled press.
Standard Online
The Zimbabwe Standard Online, independent press.
Zimbabwe Independent
Online Edition of the Zimbabwe Newspaper, independent.
The Mirror
Government influenced national news.
ZimEye
International edited Zimbabwe and Africa news.
The Zimbabwean
Zimbabwe news published from UK and South Africa.
The Zimbabwe Situation
News and links relating to the crisis in Zimbabwe.
ZimNews
Zimbabwe based news site.

International News Sources
Allafrica.com - Zimbabwe
With news from Zimbabwe.
Mail & Guardian
Leading newspaper from South Africa, covers all Africa with current information.

Radio
SW Radio Africa
The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation
Zimbabwe TV, Radio, and News.

 

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Arts & Culture


HIFA, Harare International Festival of the Arts
Annual international arts festival in five main disciplines: music, theatre, fine arts, dance and spoken word.

National Museums and Monuments Of Zimbabwe
Online guide to National Museums and Monuments Of Zimbabwe.

Dandemutande
A resource of Zimbabwean music & culture.
The Mbira Page
Mbira, Marimba and Chimurenga styles of music from the indigenous cultures of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Music Guide
A guide to Chimurenga, Jit, and Sungura styles from Zimbabwe.

Issues Zimbabwe
Amnesty International Zimbabwe
Amnesty Int'l page with information about Human rights issues in Zimbabwe.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
Zimbabwe's newest and strongest opposition political party with its leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
 
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe's main attraction.

Business & Economy


Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
Central bank of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Stock Exchange
Zimbabwe's Stock Exchange

ZimTrade
Zimbabwe trade information portal.

__ Transportation
Airline
Air Zimbabwe
The former Air Rhodesia. Air Zimbabwe is the country's largest passenger carrier.
 
 
Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, Zimbabwe
The Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya. The world-famous waterfall of the Zambezi River is located between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Image: Harvey Barrison


Travel and Tour Consumer Information


Destination Zimbabwe - Travel and Tour Guides


Discover Zimbabwe: Bulawayo and the Bulawayo Railway Museum, Bumbusi National Monument, Chimanimani District (mountainous area), Danangombe (Dhlo-Dhlo) archaeological site, Harare, Eastern Highlands, Hwange National Park, Ruins of Khami, Lake Kariba (the world's largest man-made lake), Masvingo Province (Great Zimbabwe ruins), Matobo National Park, Nyanga National Park, Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls National Park, Victoria Falls Bridge.

Find accommodation, hotels, attractions, festivals, events, tourist boards, safaris, hiking, climbing, tours and much more.


Explore Zimbabwe
Guide by Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA)

Jenman Zimbabwe Safaris
Zimbabwe Safaris.

My Destination Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Travel Guide.

Nyati Travel & Tours
Harare based tour operator.
 
 

Education


Africa University
A private, Pan-African and United Methodist-Related institution close to Mutare.

University of Zimbabwe
Harare, the nation's largest university, founded in 1955.
 
 

Environment & Nature


Environment - current issues:

Deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution.
Poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution.
The black rhinoceros herd, once the largest concentration of the species in the world, has been significantly reduced by poaching.

Wildlife & Environment Zimbabwe
Private Voluntary Organisation for the conservation and protection of Zimbabwe’s environment.
Zambezi River Authority (of Zambia and Zimbabwe)
The function of the authority is to manage and develop the water resources of the common Zambezi River and the Kariba Dam Complex.
Zambezi Society
The Zambezi Society aims to save Zambezi Basin Ecosystems and Wildernesses
 
 

History


Zimbabwe's History
Condensed to a page of bullet points by AfricaNet

Zimbabwe's history: Key dates
Brief overview of Zimbabwe's post-colonial history by BBC News.

History of Zimbabwe
Wikipedia entry about Zimbabwe's history.


 
 

Native


Mbira.org
Traditional Shona music
Shona People
Some information on the Shona People by the University of Iowa
Traditional States of Zimbabwe
The Changamire Empire and other Shona states, the Ndebele ("Matabele") Kingdom.
 
 

Search


Open Directory Project: Zimbabwe

Sources and additional Information about Zimbabwe


Africa South of Sahara: Zimbabwe

African Studies Zimbabwe

BBC Country Profile: Zimbabwe

Amnesty International: Zimbabwe

FAO: Zimbabwe

GlobalEDGE: Zimbabwe

The Heritage Foundation: Zimbabwe

Human Rights Watch: Zimbabwe

OEC: Zimbabwe

Reporters Without Borders: Zimbabwe

Wikipedia: Zimbabwe

The World Factbook -- Zimbabwe

 

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