At a Glance

Official Name: Republic of Zimbabwe

Continent: Africa

Area: 149,293 square miles (386,670 sq. km)

Population: 11,365,366

Capital City: Harare

Largest City: Harare (1,184,169)

Unit of Money: Zimbabwean dollar

Major Languages: English (official), Shona

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

The Place

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa, formerly called Rhodesia. Zimbabwe was named after the famous 14th-century stone-built city of Great Zimbabwe, located in the southeast.

Zimbabwe has a land area of 149,293 square miles (386,670 square kilometers). It is bordered by Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa at the Limpopo River. Zimbabwe's north coast is formed by the Zambezi River.

Zimbabwe's capital is Harare, formerly known as Salisbury. The Zambezi River, along the northern border, is Zimbabwe's most important river. Several smaller rivers, including the Mazowe and the Sanyati, join the Zambezi in the north.

Most of Zimbabwe is covered with savanna grassland and low masasa trees. Animals native to Zimbabwe include elephants, hippopotamuses, lions, hyenas, crocodiles, antelope, impalas, giraffes, and baboons.

Zimbabwe's climate is often dependent on the rains caused by monsoons. Up to 40 inches (1,000 mm) of rain falls in the eastern portion between October and March each year, but almost no rain falls the remainder of the year, when the weather becomes cool.

The People

More than 11 million people live in Zimbabwe. Life expectancy at birth was estimated at 51 years in 2000, down from 59 years in 1985, mainly because of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic that began there in the late 1980s. Zimbabwe's population is divided into two major ethnic groups: the Shona and the Ndebele. The Shona make up 71% of the population, and the Ndebele minority comprise 16%. Other ethnic groups include Asians, Caucasians, and other Africans. About 70% of Zimbabwe's people live in rural areas, while the rest live in urban settings.

About 50% of the population practices Christian and Indigenous religious beliefs, while most others practice traditional religions.

Zimbabwe's families are large, and most of the country's population is under 15 years of age. Their society is traditionally male-dominated, however in recent years, many women have been named to managerial and political positions.

Education

Christian missionaries started the first formal education in Zimbabwe, and many schools still have strong religious affiliations. Primary education in Zimbabwe has been universal and compulsory since 1987. Almost half of Zimbabwe's population is school age, and education uses approximately 20% of the government's budget.

Almost all primary school-aged children enroll in school, but only 50% attend secondary schools and just 7% go on to colleges or universities. Zimbabwe has 2 state universities: the University of Zimbabwe, located in Harare; and the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo. There are also many private colleges.

Popular Culture/Daily Life

Zimbabwe retains many traditions from its colonial past. The country has world-class athletes who compete at international levels in rugby, cricket, and golf.

Zimbabwe has many tourist attractions, such as Victoria Falls and the ruins of Great Zimbabwe.

European-style clothing is fashionable in Zimbabwe. Middle and upper classes tend to dress in styles similar to the old colonial ruling class. Younger Africans like the modern styles of South Africa.

Traditional dance and music were neglected during the colonial period. Since independence, however, traditional styles have been revived. Literature by black Zimbabweans was restricted until the 1980s. Since then, many authors, such as Charles Mungoshi and Tsitsi Dangarembga, have become popular.