Zimbabwe tourist information

Zimbabwe officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, and formerly known as the Republic of Rhodesia, is a landlocked country in the southern part of the continent of Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It borders South Africa to the south, Botswana to the west, Zambia to the north-west, and Mozambique to the east. The name Zimbabwe derives from "dzimba dzemabwe" meaning "houses of stone " in the Shona language. Its use as the country's name is a tribute to Great Zimbabwe, site of the capital of the Munhumutapa Empire.

Places to go in Zimbabwe ...

Bulawayo Harare Kadoma Masvingo Victoria Falls

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country, surrounded by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the west, Zambia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east and northeast. The northwestern border is defined by the Zambezi River. Victoria Falls is a popular tourist destination on the Zambezi. To the south, Zimbabwe is separated from South Africa by the Limpopo River. Zimbabwe also shares a narrow border with Namibia to the west via a narrow land corridor.

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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.

Transportation

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

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Terrain Mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east.

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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%

Weather Tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March).

Currency Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWD)

More countries in Africa ...

Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Cameroon Egypt Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Kenya Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Nigeria Reunion Senegal Seychelles South Africa Swaziland Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe

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It uses material from the Source wikipedia.