What are the Key Facts of Zimbabwe?

Official Name	Republic of Zimbabwe
Continent	Africa
Capital	Harare
Largest City	Harare
Coordinates	-20.000000, 30.000000
Area	150,872 sq. mi (390,757 sq. km)
Land Boundaries	2,006 mi (3,229 km)
Coastline	0 mi (0 km) Landlocked
Currency	Zimbabwean dollar
Neighboring Countries	Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia
Population	14,645,470 (World Bank, 2019)
Official Languages	Shona, Ndebele, English, Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa
Major Religion	Christianity
National Day	18 April (Independence Day)
National Anthem	“Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe”
Form of Government	Presidential republic
President	Emmerson Mnangagwa
Vice-Presidents	Constantino Chiwenga, Kembo Mohadi
GDP per capita (PPP)	$ 2,953.5 (World Bank, 2019)
GDP per capita (nominal)	$ 1,464.0 (World Bank, 2019)
HDI	0.563 (2019), Rank: 150
Literacy Rate (%)	88.69 (UNESCO, 2014)
Space Agency	NA
Military Expenditure Ranking	84 (SIPRI, 2019)
No. of Olympic Medals	8 (as of 2018)
Driving Side	left
Calling Code	263
Time Zone	UTC+2 (CAT)
Internet TLD	.zw

Where is Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe (officially the Republic of Zimbabwe ), formerly it was known as Southern Rhodesia. It is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The country lies between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers.

What is the Geography of Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe covers an area of 390,757 sq. km (150,872 sq. mi). It has no coastline.

The total land boundary of Zimbabwe is 3,066 km long. It shares its borders with four countries: Botswana (813 km to the southwest and west), Mozambique (1,231 km to the northeast and east), South Africa (225 km to the south), Zambia (797 km to the north), and it almost touches Namibia at its westernmost point.

The mean elevation of the country is 961m (3,153 ft). The highest point is Inyangani at 2,592 m (8503.9 ft), and the lowest point is the junction of the Runde and Save rivers at 162 m (531.4 ft).

Zimbabwe’s landscape can be divided into three geographical areas: the inland plateau, the Highveld, and the Escarpment. Most of the country lies on the 1200 meter high plateau, forming a watershed between the Zambezi and Limpopo river systems.

The Mafungabusa Plateau contains most of the country’s topography. The plateau has scattered in a southwest-to-northeast direction. As per the altitude, it can split into three subcategories like the high Veld, middle Veld, and low Veld.

The extreme eastern part of Zimbabwe is mountainous. The region is famous as the Eastern Highlands, where Mount Nyangani is standing, the country’s highest point at 2,592 m (8504 ft). Other prominent mountains of the country: Monet Binga, Rukotso, Chora, Nyangui, and others.

Zimbabwe has several well-known rivers such as- the Zambezi River, Luenha River, Mazowe River, Gairezi River, etc. The Zambezi River is one of Africa’s longest rivers and (the longest east-flowing river of the continent) flows into the Indian ocean. Victoria Falls is an impressive waterfall that is situated in the northwest region of the country is a part of the Zambezi river.

What is the Climate of Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe lies in the north of the Tropic of Capricorn. It experiences subtropical conditions due to its high altitude. The country enjoys a pleasant temperate climate. The average temperature at the central highveld plateau remains about 28°C/82°F.

Lower areas like Mana Pools, Matusadona, and Gonarezhou experience soaring temperatures up to 35°C/95°.

November to March is the wet season in the country. Rains during such months usually take place in the afternoon. The dry season falls from April to October remains cool. The nights and mornings temperature dips about 5°C/41°F i. But the daytime temperature remains pleasant.

The average temperature on the highveld remains in the range of 12°C to 13°C (54° F–55° F ) in winter, while in summer, it stands around 24°C (75° F). The low veld temperature in winter usually remains about 6° C (11° F ). In comparison, summer temperatures in the Zambezi and Limpopo valleys remain in the range of 32°C and 38° C (90° F–100° F ).

Zimbabwe receives an average annual rainfall of 667 mm (26.3 inches). October is the warmest month, while June is generally the coldest month.

What is the Economy of Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe’s economic position is not sound. Poverty has reached its lowest ebb. Agricultural production in the country has gone down sharply due to an El Nino; induced drought has made the situation worse-possible in rural areas. Currently, one-tenth of the rural households have to remain without food for a whole day. The drought has affected the electricity and water sectors as well.

Gross domestic product (GDP) has shrunk by -8.1% in 2019, and the sluggish financial condition is likely to continue in 2020 amid COVID-19 as well as other natural calamities.

The shortfalls of foreign currency, fuel, electricity have marred the economy of the country. Mining and agriculture are severely hit. Both sectors experienced a double-digit decline. Production of major minerals like gold, diamond, and coal has gone down by more than 27%. Maize is the staple diet of the country’s population. Its production has fallen drastically, resulting in a food crisis in the country. Zimbabwe’s macroeconomic challenges may continue due to a lack of international support.

Zimbabwe’s major exports are Gold, Raw Tobacco, Ferroalloys Chromium, Ore and Diamonds, Packaged Medicaments, and others. The country exports its goods mostly to the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, China, and Mozambique.

The unemployment rate in Zimbabwe in 2019 was at 4.95 percent.

What is the Transportation System of Zimbabwe?

The country has 196 airports, out of which 17 have paved runways, and 179 have unpaved runways. The nation has three noted airports, such as Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (Harare), Victoria Falls International Airport (Victoria Falls), Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (Bulawayo).

The total classified roadways in Zimbabwe are 97,267 km long. Out of which 18,481 km are paved, while 78,786 km are unpaved.

Zimbabwe has 3,427 km long railways. Out of which 3,427 km is narrow gauge, 1.067-m gauge, and (313 km electrified)

Binga, Kariba (Zambezi) are the seaports of Zimbabwe.

What International Organizations is Zimbabwe Part of?

ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO.