Republic of Zimbabwe

Republic of Zimbabwe chiShona: Nyika yeZimbabwe isiNdebele: Ilizwe leZimbabwe
Capital and largest city	Harare
Official language	English
National languages	chiShona isiNdebele
Ethnic groups (2020)	83.9% Black 11.2% White 2.5% Indian 2.4% others
Religion (2020)	85.7% Christianity 8.6% No religion 5.7% others
Demonym(s)	Zimbabwean
Government	Unitary parliamentary republic
• President	Elton Chigumbura
• Prime Minister	Chamu Tatenda
Legislature	Parliament
• Upper house	Senate
• Lower house	National Assembly
Area
• Total	390,757 km2 (150,872 sq mi) (60th)
Population
• 2020 census	7,974,625
• Density	20.41/km2 (52.9/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2023 estimate
• Total	$135.265 billion (49th)
• Per capita	$16,962 (75th)
GDP (nominal)	2023 estimate
• Total	$57.066 billion (54th)
• Per capita	$7,156 (87th)
Gini	48.7 high
HDI	0.710 high
Currency	Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD)
Time zone	UTC+2

Republic of Zimbabwe Chishona: Nyika yeZimbabwe Ndebele: Ilizwe leZimbabwe
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Ex Unitate Vires" From Unity, Strength
Anthem:  "Ishe Komborera Africa"
Capital and largest city	Harare
Official languages	Chishona English Ndebele
Ethnic groups (2020)	86% Black 9% White 5% Other
Religion (2020)	82% Christianity 11% No Religion 7% Other
Demonym(s)	Zimbabwean
Government	Federal parliamentary republic
• President	Gus Frasier
• Prime Minister	Sibusiso Moyo
• Assembly Speaker	Russell Sibanda
• Chief Justice	Gertrude Mhlanga
Legislature	Parliament
Independence from the United Kingdom
• Internal Settlement ratified	November 6, 1970
• Republic declared	December 11, 1971
Area
• Total	390,756 km2 (150,872 sq mi) (60th)
Population
• 2020 census	8,623,400 (97th)
• Density	22/km2 (57.0/sq mi) (200th)
GDP (nominal)	2020 estimate
• Total	$79.2 billion (72nd)
• Per capita	$9,184 (94th)
Gini	48.9 high (18th)
HDI	0.706 high (117th)
Currency	Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD)
Time zone	UTC +2
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Driving side	left
Calling code	+260

Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in south-east Africa between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers; bordered four countries, namely Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana. At nearly 400,000 square kilometers, it is the world's sixtieth largest country by land area. The capital and largest city is Harare, which serves as the economic and cultural hub of the country. The country hosts the second-largest White African population on the continent after that of South Africa, while the majority Black African population belongs to the Shona or Ndebele ethnic groups. There are approximately 8.5 million inhabitants, making Zimbabwe the world's 97th-largest country by population. The country is often termed the "Jewel of Africa" by observers because of the economic stability and success the country has enjoyed since independence from the United Kingdom in 1970.

Zimbabwe has one of the most storied and well-document histories of any nation in southern Africa. The area now called Zimbabwe was first inhabited by the Bantu people who arrived during the period known as the Bantu expansion, which occurred between the third and sixth centuries A.D. and were responsible for the construction of the largest and most complex city-state located on this part of the continent, which is known to historians as the Great Gokomere. Established on a wealthly foundation of natural resources, the city-state flourished between the tenth and fifteenth centuries, becoming a mercantile powerhouse that controlled the gold, ivory and copper trades with the Swahili coast and various Arab and Indian states. After the collapse of the Great Gokomere, a long period of war descended on the region and small, competing tribal states governed most of the land.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, European powers began to colonize the continent of Africa. The British Africa Company, led by their primary owner and President Cecil Rhodes, first demarcated the present territory of the country in 1890. There was scattered but sometime fierce resistance from the native Shona and Ndebele tribesmen who inhabited the area, which became called the Gukhurahundi, or conquest. Christian missions operated in the country and founded numerous boarding schools for Shona and Ndebele children, and actively worked to assimilate Black Africans into European cultural and economic practices. Eventually, colonial government was firmly established and the country achieved dominion status within the British Empire in 1946.

Until this point, Zimbabwe had functioned as a mostly self-governing colony of the British Empire. There was an entrenched multi-racial electoral democracy and strong judicial institutions. However, franchise was restricted through the use literacy tests and poll taxes, which effectively disenfranchised nearly 80% of the Black African population. Agitations for full political rights grew as de-colonization swept the continent following World War Two. The country slowly and steadily moved toward these goals during the 1950s and 1960s, however discontent with the pace of reforms led to mass demonstrations in the later 1960s, which ultimately led to the Internal Settlement being announced as a foundation for a new state not based on colonial principles.

A new Constitution establishing a republic was drafted and adopted in 1971, which preserved extensive protections for minority Racial groups and the rule of law within the country. The first Black African Prime Minister, Mr. Cyril Mhalele, assumed office following the victory of his Zimbabwe Democratic Party in the 1974 general elections. He continued to govern the country until 1989, championing multi-racialism, market capitalism, and major social reforms to improve the lives and economic stature of Black Africans in the country. He was succeeded in 1989 by his long-serving Deputy, Mr. Jacob Mudenda, who served as Prime Minister until 2004. The Zimbabwe Democratic Party has won every general election in the country since 1974 and currently holds nearly three-fifths of the seats in the National Assembly. Every election has been considered free and fair by international observers.

Etymology

The name "Zimbabwe" stems from a Shona term for the royal palace located in the city of Great Gokomere in the country's south-east. The remains are now a protected site. Two different theories address the origin of the word. Many sources hold that "Zimbabwe" derives from dzimba-dza-mabwe, translated from the Karanga dialect of Shona as "houses of stones" (dzimba = plural of imba, "house"; mabwe = plural of bwe, "stone"). The Karanga-speaking Shona people live around Great Zimbabwe in the modern-day province of Victoria. Archaeologist Peter Garlake claims that "Zimbabwe" represents a contracted form of dzimba-hwe, which means "venerated houses" in the Zezuru dialect of Shona and usually references chiefs' houses or graves. The country was previously called British Central Africa, until achieving dominion status in 1946, when the current name was adopted.

History

Pre-colonial Zimbabwe

The ruins of the Zimbabwe, a pre-colonial palace and namesake of Zimbabwe.

The area now called Zimbabwe was first inhabited by the Bantu people who arrived during the period known as the Bantu expansion, which occurred between the third and sixth centuries A.D. and were responsible for the construction of the largest and most complex city-state located on this part of the continent, which is known to historians as the Great Gokomere. Established on a wealthly foundation of natural resources, the city-state flourished between the tenth and fifteenth centuries, becoming a mercantile powerhouse that controlled the gold, ivory and copper trades with the Swahili coast and various Arab and Indian states. After the collapse of the Great Gokomere, a long period of war descended on the region and small, competing tribal states governed most of the land.

British colonization

During the 18th and 19th centuries, European powers began to colonize the continent of Africa. The British Africa Company, led by their primary owner and President Cecil Rhodes, first demarcated the present territory of the country in 1890. There was scattered but sometime fierce resistance from the native Shona and Ndebele tribesmen who inhabited the area, which became called the Gukhurahundi, or conquest. Christian missions operated in the country and founded numerous boarding schools for Shona and Ndebele children, and actively worked to assimilate Black Africans into European cultural and economic practices. Eventually, colonial government was firmly established and the country achieved dominion status within the British Empire in 1946.

Until this point, Zimbabwe had functioned as a mostly self-governing colony of the British Empire. There was an entrenched multi-racial electoral democracy and strong judicial institutions. However, franchise was restricted through the use literacy tests and poll taxes, which effectively disenfranchised nearly 80% of the Black African population. Agitations for full political rights grew as de-colonization swept the continent following World War Two. The country slowly and steadily moved toward these goals during the 1950s and 1960s, however discontent with the pace of reforms led to mass demonstrations in the later 1960s, which ultimately led to the Internal Settlement being announced as a foundation for a new state not based on colonial principles.

Independence

A new Constitution establishing a republic was drafted and adopted in 1971, which preserved extensive protections for minority Racial groups and the rule of law within the country. The first Black African Prime Minister, Mr. Cyril Mhalele, assumed office following the victory of his Zimbabwe Democratic Party in the 1974 general elections. He continued to govern the country until 1989, championing multi-racialism, market capitalism, and major social reforms to improve the lives and economic stature of Black Africans in the country. He was succeeded in 1989 by his long-serving Deputy, Mr. Jacob Mudenda, who served as Prime Minister until 2004. The Zimbabwe Democratic Party has won every general election in the country since 1974 and currently holds nearly three-fifths of the seats in the National Assembly. Every election has been considered free and fair by international observers.

Geography

Sunrise at the Matapos Hills National Park

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa that lies wholly within the tropics. The country straddles an extensive high inland plateau that descends northward to the Zambezi river valley and southward to the Limpopo river valley. Likewise, the climate is greatly varied by altitude, with areas of higher elevation enjoying more mild temperatures. There is a dry season, lasting during the cooler winter months between May and September. On the contrary, the rainy season lasts between the summer months of November and March.

Biodiversity

The country is mostly savannah, although the moist and mountainous eastern highlands support areas of tropical evergreen and hardwood forests. Trees found in these Eastern Highlands include teak, mahogany, enormous specimens of strangling fig, forest Newtonia, big leaf, white stinkwood, chirinda stinkwood, knobthorn and many others.

In the low-lying parts of the country fever trees, mopane, combretum and baobabs abound. Much of the country is covered by miombo woodland, dominated by brachystegia species and others. Among the numerous flowers and shrubs are hibiscus, flame lily, snake lily, spider lily, leonotus, cassia, tree wisteria and dombeya. There are around 350 species of mammals that can be found in Zimbabwe. There are also many snakes and lizards, over 500 bird species, and 131 fish species. The prominent wild fauna includes African buffalo, African bush elephant, black rhinoceros, southern giraffe, African leopard, lion, plains zebra, and several antelope species.

Government and politics

Zimbabwe is a unitary parliamentary constitutional republic. The country previously was a dominion of the British Empire, and Queen Elizabeth II was Queen of Zimbabwe from 1952 until the abolition of the monarchy in 1971. Zimbabwe has been considered remarkable by observers for the stable political climate, being one of a handful of countries in Africa to have not experienced a coup d'etat. The country ranks highly on the Ibrahim Index of African Government, placing third in the year 2018. The Constitution of Zimbabwe enacted in 1971 was drafted following the Internal Settlement in 1970, and the respected source of law in the country, being upheld by firm judicial institutions, which have consistently ranked the best on the African continent.

Parties and elections

Political supporters during the 2009 General election.

Since achieving responsible government within the British Empire in 1923, Zimbabwe has held regular democratic elections for the Parliament. During the post-war period, the Progressive Republican Party won every election until rising discontent led to the Internal Settlement between the various political groups at the time, including the Zimbabwe Democratic Party, the Zimbabwe Congress Party, the National Patriotic Front, among others. Universal suffrage was achieved in 1971 with the enactment of the new republican constitution, and since 1974, the Zimbabwe Democratic Party has won every general election.

Elections in Zimbabwe on the national level utilize plurality voting in single-member constituencies. There are eleven "reserved constituencies" and an additional twelve "best losers" who ensure representation of White Zimbabweans within the unicameral National Assembly. Election conduct has been consistently observed as both free and fair by international organizations such as the African Union and the United Nations. Local elections take place at the provincial and municipal levels across the country at fixed four-year intervals. Zimbabwe has relatively low representation of women in the political sphere, which has led many to criticize the Government for not taking steps to provide redress to this inequality.

Foreign relations

Zimbabwe maintains cordial relations with neighboring countries, and has a particularly close relationship with Mozambique and South Africa as these countries are the primary trade and transportation routes in and out of the country. On the international stage, Zimbabwe maintains strategic neutrality in most conflicts, and is a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement. There have been occasional diplomatic spars with Zambia over water rights regarding the Kariba Dam project and additionally from illegal immigration into Zimbabwe from that country.

Military

The armed forces of Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe Defence Force, which consists of the Zimbabwe Army, the Zimbabwe Air Force, and the Zimbabwe National Guard. The military of Zimbabwe relies heavily on support, training, and equipment from both the United Kingdom and the United States, both have which designated the country "preferred status" with regard to military exchange. The current budget for the Zimbabwe Defence Force is $1.5 billion, or approximately two-percent of the countries Gross Domestic Product. There have been no armed conflicts within the country and the Zimbabwe Defence Force has never been deployed at-large abroad, except for peacekeeping missions under the United Nations, which the country actively participates in.

Law enforcement and crime

Crime is considered a problem in Zimbabwe, and mostly manifests in the form of robbery and petty theft. Instances of rape and murder also occur on a regular basis, especially in township areas located on the outskirts of cities. Zimbabwe has the world's 70th highest murder rate. The Zimbabwe Police Service conducts most police functions within the country, has a positive reputation in the country and is ranked low for perceptions of corruption and misconduct, but lacks enough officers to appropriately respond to every criminal instance. Capital punishment is a legal sanction in Zimbabwe and is imposed regularly for cases of murder, and the country utilizes a judicial system inspired by British common law practices and indigenous customary law.

Economy

Headquarters of the Central Bank of Zimbabwe.

The economy of Zimbabwe is the eighth largest in Africa by total size and the third largest by GDP per capita. The primary exports of the country are minerals and agricultural practices such as tobacco, as well as some manufactured goods. Zimbabwe hosts the largest automotive industry in Africa, with major investment from Toyota and General Motors. Tourism is a major industry within the country as well. Zimbabwe hosts many national parks and game reserves, perhaps most famously Wankie National Park and Victoria Falls National Park, which attract tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Transportation

The primary mode of transportation in Zimbabwe is by automobile and the county has an extensive network of paved roads. There are over 90,000 kilometers of roads in the country. Also, there is an extensive rail network that connects economic centers around the country to international destinations, primarily South Africa and the Port of Beira in Mozambique. There are approximately 200 airports throughout the country, including two international airports, Harare International Airport and Lobangula International Airport in Bulawayo. Due to the high cost of automobiles, the majority of the population utilize mini-bus taxi services for transport, an industry which has grown exponentially in recent years.

Energy

Zimbabwe has a robust, heavily regulated but mostly privatized energy sector, with production levels hovering at roughly 85 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year. Some electricity is generated through hydroelectric power, which is harnessed through projects such as the Kariba Dam and the Wankie Thermal Power Station. However, the vast majority of electricity is sourced from coal and other fossil fuels. Currently, there are eleven such energy generating stations, which have caused considerable concern over the environmental impact of these operations. There is great potential for solar energy production in the country, and a recent agreement with the United Arab Emirates will result in the production of a solar energy generating station being constructed near Bulawayo, with the ability to produce 1,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Demographics

Image of a Shona Ny'anga (traditional healer). (1977)

The Zimbabwe Statistical Agency reported the population of the country to be 8,623,400 as of December 2020. The median age of the country is 28.0 years, among the highest in Africa. Zimbabwe is the 97th-most populated country in the world, after Switzerland. The total fertility rate stands at 2.46 children per women. The country has a diverse population that includes indigenous Black Zimbabweans and the second-largest communities of both White and Asian peoples in Africa. The life expectancy in the country was 67 years for Men and 72 years for Women as of 2009. This number is driven downward by the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe, which has affected the country less than neighboring Botswana and South Africa, but has infected no less than five percent of the total population.

Language

English serves as the primary language of government, education, and commerce within the country and is one of the official languages of Zimbabwe. Almost all Zimbabweans can speak and understand English, and the language is taught in all schools within the country. The minority White, Asian, and mixed-race Zimbabweans consider English to be their native language, along with a small but growing number of Black Zimbabweans, particularly in Harare and Bulawayo, the principal cities of the country. The most spoken indigenous language is Chishona, which is claimed as the native language of approximately half of the total population. The second-most spoken is Ndebele, which is the native language of roughly 30% of Zimbabwe's inhabitants. These two Bantu languages enjoy official language status and affirmative legislation to advance and promote their usage in government, education, and commerce alongside English.

Religion

Religion plays an important role in the society of Zimbabwe. Around 90% of Zimbabweans claim adherence to some religion, with Christianity being the dominant faith throughout the country and among all ethnic groups. The main denominations of Christianity active in Zimbabwe are Methodism and Anglicanism, remnants of British colonialism and mission work, with fast-growing Pentecostal-Charismatic church communities across the country.  There has also long-been a large and established Latter-Day Saint (Mormon) presence in the country, particularly in urban areas. Indigenous beliefs were once dominant in the country, but are now marginal, only practiced officially by less than one percent of the population. However, there is a high degree of indigenization of Christian practices and rituals, particularly in rural and isolated corners of Zimbabwe.

Largest cities

Nullam imperdiet odio ut massa laoreet, aliquam dignissim sem vulputate. Donec at bibendum arcu. Mauris fermentum sodales nisi. Aenean in malesuada velit, ac volutpat ante. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Mauris elit elit, blandit sed ornare at, malesuada quis mi. Cras vitae aliquam turpis. Cras at dignissim turpis, vel viverra tortor. Maecenas molestie eros sed accumsan tincidunt. Nunc tristique ultrices ipsum ac vulputate. Suspendisse neque nulla, interdum mollis quam et, facilisis tincidunt massa. Mauris semper et massa ornare mollis. Fusce et libero sit amet nibh laoreet sollicitudin eget ut justo. Curabitur pretium turpis id diam consequat, et dictum nibh posuere.

Education

The Main Building of Witsrand University, the top-ranked University in Africa.

Nullam imperdiet odio ut massa laoreet, aliquam dignissim sem vulputate. Donec at bibendum arcu. Mauris fermentum sodales nisi. Aenean in malesuada velit, ac volutpat ante. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Mauris elit elit, blandit sed ornare at, malesuada quis mi. Cras vitae aliquam turpis. Cras at dignissim turpis, vel viverra tortor. Maecenas molestie eros sed accumsan tincidunt. Nunc tristique ultrices ipsum ac vulputate. Suspendisse neque nulla, interdum mollis quam et, facilisis tincidunt massa. Mauris semper et massa ornare mollis. Fusce et libero sit amet nibh laoreet sollicitudin eget ut justo. Curabitur pretium turpis id diam consequat, et dictum nibh posuere.

Culture

Nullam imperdiet odio ut massa laoreet, aliquam dignissim sem vulputate. Donec at bibendum arcu. Mauris fermentum sodales nisi. Aenean in malesuada velit, ac volutpat ante. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Mauris elit elit, blandit sed ornare at, malesuada quis mi. Cras vitae aliquam turpis. Cras at dignissim turpis, vel viverra tortor. Maecenas molestie eros sed accumsan tincidunt. Nunc tristique ultrices ipsum ac vulputate. Suspendisse neque nulla, interdum mollis quam et, facilisis tincidunt massa. Mauris semper et massa ornare mollis. Fusce et libero sit amet nibh laoreet sollicitudin eget ut justo. Curabitur pretium turpis id diam consequat, et dictum nibh posuere.

Food

A traditional meal of Sadza, Greens, and Goat Offal

Nullam imperdiet odio ut massa laoreet, aliquam dignissim sem vulputate. Donec at bibendum arcu. Mauris fermentum sodales nisi. Aenean in malesuada velit, ac volutpat ante. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Mauris elit elit, blandit sed ornare at, malesuada quis mi. Cras vitae aliquam turpis. Cras at dignissim turpis, vel viverra tortor. Maecenas molestie eros sed accumsan tincidunt. Nunc tristique ultrices ipsum ac vulputate. Suspendisse neque nulla, interdum mollis quam et, facilisis tincidunt massa. Mauris semper et massa ornare mollis. Fusce et libero sit amet nibh laoreet sollicitudin eget ut justo. Curabitur pretium turpis id diam consequat, et dictum nibh posuere.

Music

Nullam imperdiet odio ut massa laoreet, aliquam dignissim sem vulputate. Donec at bibendum arcu. Mauris fermentum sodales nisi. Aenean in malesuada velit, ac volutpat ante. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Mauris elit elit, blandit sed ornare at, malesuada quis mi. Cras vitae aliquam turpis. Cras at dignissim turpis, vel viverra tortor. Maecenas molestie eros sed accumsan tincidunt. Nunc tristique ultrices ipsum ac vulputate. Suspendisse neque nulla, interdum mollis quam et, facilisis tincidunt massa. Mauris semper et massa ornare mollis. Fusce et libero sit amet nibh laoreet sollicitudin eget ut justo. Curabitur pretium turpis id diam consequat, et dictum nibh posuere.

Sports

Nullam imperdiet odio ut massa laoreet, aliquam dignissim sem vulputate. Donec at bibendum arcu. Mauris fermentum sodales nisi. Aenean in malesuada velit, ac volutpat ante. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Mauris elit elit, blandit sed ornare at, malesuada quis mi. Cras vitae aliquam turpis. Cras at dignissim turpis, vel viverra tortor. Maecenas molestie eros sed accumsan tincidunt. Nunc tristique ultrices ipsum ac vulputate. Suspendisse neque nulla, interdum mollis quam et, facilisis tincidunt massa. Mauris semper et massa ornare mollis. Fusce et libero sit amet nibh laoreet sollicitudin eget ut justo. Curabitur pretium turpis id diam consequat, et dictum nibh posuere.

Mass media

Nullam imperdiet odio ut massa laoreet, aliquam dignissim sem vulputate. Donec at bibendum arcu. Mauris fermentum sodales nisi. Aenean in malesuada velit, ac volutpat ante. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Mauris elit elit, blandit sed ornare at, malesuada quis mi. Cras vitae aliquam turpis. Cras at dignissim turpis, vel viverra tortor. Maecenas molestie eros sed accumsan tincidunt. Nunc tristique ultrices ipsum ac vulputate. Suspendisse neque nulla, interdum mollis quam et, facilisis tincidunt massa. Mauris semper et massa ornare mollis. Fusce et libero sit amet nibh laoreet sollicitudin eget ut justo. Curabitur pretium turpis id diam consequat, et dictum nibh posuere.

National symbols

The national bird of Zimbabwe, the African fish eagle.

Nullam imperdiet odio ut massa laoreet, aliquam dignissim sem vulputate. Donec at bibendum arcu. Mauris fermentum sodales nisi. Aenean in malesuada velit, ac volutpat ante. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Mauris elit elit, blandit sed ornare at, malesuada quis mi. Cras vitae aliquam turpis. Cras at dignissim turpis, vel viverra tortor. Maecenas molestie eros sed accumsan tincidunt. Nunc tristique ultrices ipsum ac vulputate. Suspendisse neque nulla, interdum mollis quam et, facilisis tincidunt massa. Mauris semper et massa ornare mollis. Fusce et libero sit amet nibh laoreet sollicitudin eget ut justo. Curabitur pretium turpis id diam consequat, et dictum nibh posuere.

See also

Notes