Quick Facts: Zimbabwe
- Zimbabwe in Southern Africa was formerly known as the Republic of Rhodesia
- Zimbabwe is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east
- Zimbabwe was once part of the British crown colony of Rhodesia
- President Robert Mugabe is the head of State and Commander in Chief of the armed forces
- Morgan Tsvangirai is the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe (2010)
- Mount Nyangani is the highest point in Zimbabwe with its 2,592 meters
- The Victoria Falls are one of the world's biggest and most spectacular waterfalls; they are situated in Zimbabwe's northwest and form part of the Zambesi river
- Zimbabwe is home to eight main national parks
- The largest national park in Zimbabwe is the Hwange National Park
- Bvumba Mountains and Nyanga National Park
- From 'World's View' magnificent vistas can be enjoyed
- The Matobo Hills in Zimbabwe are an area of granite kopjes and wooded valleys streching 35 kilometers south of Bulawayo
- Zimbabwe is famous for its ancient ruins the most famous being the Great Zimbabwe ruins in Masvingo
Introducing Zimbabwe
The Republic of Zimbabwe was formerly known as the Republic of Rhodesia. Zimbabwe in Southern Africa is a landlocked country situated between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. Zimbabwe is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. In Zimbabwe, three official languages are spoken which are English, Shona and Ndebele.
Zimbabwe was once part of the British crown colony of Rhodesia. President Robert Mugabe is the head of State and Commander in Chief of the armed forces. Morgan Tsvangirai is the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe (2010).
Most regions of Zimbabwe are elevated in the central plateau which is referred to as the high veld. The central plateau streches from the southwest to the northwest at altitudes between 1200 and 1600 meters. In the eastern side of Zimbabwe, mountains can be found with Mount Nyangani being the highest point at 2,592 meters. Approximately 20% of Zimbabwe consists of the low veld which lies below 900 meters. The majestic Victoria Falls are one of the world's biggest and most spectacular waterfalls. The Victoria Falls are located in Zimbabwe's northwest and form part of the Zambesi river. Zimbabwe has a tropical climate with a rainy season ranging from November to March. The climate is moderated by the altitude.
Languages spoken in Zimbabwe
Shona, Ndebele and English are the principal languages spoken in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa. English is the country's official language. Most of the population speal Bantu languages such as Shona (76%), Ndebele (18%) and the other minority languages of Venda, Tonga, Shangaan, Kalanga, Sotho, Ndau and Nambya. English is spoken primarily in the cities, but less so in rural areas. Radio and television news is usually broadcast in Shona, Ndebele and English.
Tourist attractions in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is home to several major tourist attractions. One of them being the magnificent Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River which are shared with Zambia. The Victoria Falls are located in the north west of Zimbabwe. The Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe is also in this area and is one of the eight main national parks in Zimbabwe. The largest national park in Zimbabwe is the Hwange National Park.
The Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe are a series of mountainous areas near the border with Mozambique. The highest peak in Zimbabwe is Mount Nyangani (2,593 meters ). The Bvumba Mountains and the Nyanga National Park are also found in this region of Zimbabwe. World's View is in these mountains and it is from here that places as far away as 60–70 km are visible and, on clear days, the town of Rusape can be seen.
Zimbabwe is unusual in Africa in that there are a number of ancient ruined cities built in a unique dry stone style. The most famous of these ancient ruined cities are the Great Zimbabwe ruins in Masvingo. Other ruins in Zimbabwe include Khami Ruins, Zimbabwe, Dhlo-Dhlo and Naletale, although none of these is as famous as Great Zimbabwe.
The Matobo Hills in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa, are an area of granite kopjes and wooded valleys streching 35 kilometers south of Bulawayo in southern Zimbabwe. The Matobo Hills were formed over 2,000 million years ago with granite being forced to the surface, then being eroded to produce smooth "whaleback dwalas" and broken kopjes, strewn with boulders and interspersed with thickets of vegetation. Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebele nation, gave the area its name, meaning 'Bald Heads'. Due to their ancient shapes and local wildlife these become famous as a popular tourist attraction in Zimbabwe. Cecil John Rhodes and other early white pioneers like Leander Starr Jameson are buried in these hills of Zimbabwe at a site named World's View.