DuckstersDucksters
History Biography Geography Science Games

Zimbabwe

Country of Zimbabwe Flag

Capital: Harare

Population: 14,645,468

Brief History of Zimbabwe:

The original inhabitants of Zimbabwe were pushed out by migrating Bantu tribes. The powerful city-state of Great Zimbabwe formed around 1200 CE. The interior of Africa, where Zimbabwe is located, was untouched by European influences for years after Europeans arrived on the coastal areas.

In the late 1800s the British became involved in the area and named it Rhodesia. The British annexed Southern Rhodesia in 1923. Southern Rhodesia would become Zimbabwe and Northern Rhodesia would become Zambia. In 1965 the local government declared independence, however, it wasn't until 1980 that the country gained full independence from Britain. Zimbabwe's first prime minister was Robert Mugabe who has ruled the country ever since.



Country of Zimbabwe Map

The Geography of Zimbabwe

Total Size: 390,580 square km

Size Comparison: slightly larger than Montana

Geographical Coordinates: 20 00 S, 30 00 E

World Region or Continent: Africa

General Terrain: mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east

Geographical Low Point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m

Geographical High Point: Inyangani 2,592 m

Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)

Major cities: HARARE (capital) 1.606 million (2009)

The People of Zimbabwe

Type of Government: parliamentary democracy

Languages Spoken: English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects

Independence: 18 April 1980 (from UK)

National Holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980)

Nationality: Zimbabwean(s)

Religions: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%

National Symbol: Zimbabwe bird symbol; African fish eagle

National Anthem or Song: Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe [Northern Ndebele language] Simudzai Mureza WeZimbabwe [Shona] (Blessed Be the Land of Zimbabwe)

Economy of Zimbabwe

Major 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

Agricultural Products: corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; sheep, goats, pigs

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

Major Exports: cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing

Major Imports: machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals, fuels

Currency: Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD)

National GDP: $6,474,000,000




** Source for population (2012 est.) and GDP (2011 est.) is CIA World Factbook.

Back to Geography Home Page



Ducksters Footer Gif with Ducks


About Ducksters Privacy Policy 

 

This site is a product of TSI (Technological Solutions, Inc.), Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use.