| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Africa |
| Geographical Location |
20° 00' South Latitude
30° 00' East Longitude |
| Surface Area |
390,580 sq km |
| Climate |
Tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March) |
| Natural Resources |
Coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals |
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| Political Information |
 |
|
| Country Name |
Republic of Zimbabwe |
| Capital City |
Harare |
| Government Type |
Parliamentary democracy |
| Administrative Divisions |
8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo,
Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands |
| Independence Day |
18 April 1980 (from UK) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
12,746,990 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Zimbabwean |
| Ethnic Groups |
African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1% |
| Religion |
Syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1% |
| Languages |
English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects |
| Population Growth Rate |
0.51% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD) |
| 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 |
| Labor Force |
4.23 million (2004 est.) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture 66%, industry 10%, services 24% (1996) |
| Agriculture Products |
Corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; sheep, goats, pigs |
| Export Commodities |
Cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing |
| Export Partners |
South Africa 11.9%, Zambia 6.3%, China 3.4% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals, fuels |
| Import Partners |
South Africa 47.2%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 6.2%, China 4.4% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
3,077 km |
| Highways |
18,338 km |
| Pipelines |
Refined products 261 km (2004) |
| Airports |
404 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Binga, Kariba |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+263 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.zw |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the 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. Robert MUGABE, the nation's
first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His chaotic
land redistribution campaign begun in 2000 caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities.
Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. Opposition and labor groups launched general strikes
in 2003 to pressure MUGABE to retire early; security forces continued their brutal repression of regime opponents. |
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