Zimbabwe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers.
It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east.
The capital is Harare.
Zimbabwe achieved de jure sovereignty from the United Kingdom in April 1980, following 14 years as an unrecognised state under the conservative white minority government of Rhodesia, which unilaterally declared independence in 1965.
Zimbabwe has 16 official languages, with English, Shona and Ndebele being most common.
The present territory was first demarcated by Cecil Rhodes' British South Africa Company during the 1890s, becoming a self-governing colony as Southern Rhodesia in 1923.
President Robert Mugabe is head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Renowned as a champion for the anti-colonial cause, Mugabe is also viewed as an authoritarian responsible for Zimbabwe's problematic human rights record and substantial economic decline.
He has held power since internationally recognised independence in 1980: as head of government since 1980 and head of state since 1987.
Republic of Zimbabwe
Motto: "Unity, Freedom, Work"
Anthem: Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe
Capital and largest city: Harare (17°50′S 31°3′E)
Official languages: 16 languages
Ethnic groups (2003):
82% Shona
14% Ndebele
2% other African
1% White
1% Coloured and Indian
Demonym: Zimbabwean
Government Presidential republic:
• President:
• Vice President:
Legislature: Parliament
• Upper house: Senate
• Lower house: House of Assembly
Independence from the United Kingdom:
Declared: 11 November 1965
Recognised: 18 April 1980
Current constitution: 15 May 2013
Area:
• Total: 390,757 km2 (60th) - 150,871 sq mi
• Water (%): 1
Population:
2012 estimate 12,973,808 (72nd) - 2012 census 13,061,239
Density: 26/km2 (170th) - 57/sq mi
GDP (PPP): 2013 estimate
• Total: $7.731 billion -
• Per capita: $589
Currency: variousa
Time zone: Central Africa Time (UTC+2) - Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+2)
Drives on the left
Calling code: +263
ISO 3166 code: ZW
Internet TLD: .zw
The Zimbabwean dollar is no longer in active use after it was officially suspended by the government due to hyperinflation. The United States dollar (US$), South African rand (R), Botswana pula (P), Pound sterling (£), Euro (€), Indian rupees, Australian dollars (A$), Chinese yuan (元/¥), and Japanese yen (¥) are now used instead. The United States dollar has been adopted as the official currency for all government transactions.