Country Information on Zimbabwe

Terrain The major part of the country is a high plateau, 21% of the surface being more than 1,200 m above sea level. The central plateau (Highveld), which slants north-eastward across the country, has characteristic granite outcrops. Along the eastern border a mountain range stretches over more than 350 km. It includes Mount Inyangani (2,592 m), the highest point of the country. The Middleveld, which lies on each side of the Highveld, varies from 600 m to 1,200 m above sea level. There are many rivers, some draining northward into Lake Kariba, some north-east into the Zambezi, some westward into the Botswana swamps. The Victoria Falls are fed by the Zambezi River, which widens to 1,700 m (the world's largest sheet of falling water) before plunging 108 m. Climate The climate in Zimbabwe is generally cool for a tropical country, because of the high altitude. Rainfall is heaviest in the eastern mountain region. The rainy season lasts from November to March. September and October are hot and dry. Like the entire Southern African plateau, Zimbabwe is vulnerable to drought. The Highveld and the eastern highlands have lower temperatures than the Lowveld and the Zambezi basin both in summer and in winter. In the latter summer temperatures can soar to over 35°C by day but can fall to minus 5°C at night. Fauna/Flora The vegetation in Zimbabwe consists mainly of grassland and some forest, where acacias, lianas, figs, and numerous other plants grow abundantly. Hwange National Park covers 14,000 sq. km and is the habitat of elephants (herds of up to 100), buffaloes, rhinoceroses, 400 bird species, and many other animal species. Matusadona National Park has a large concentration of the endangered black rhinoceros. Lake Kariba was the site of the famous Operation Noah in 1958, in which over 5,000 animals - including elephants and rhinoceroses - were rescued from temporary islands as the huge man-made lake was filling. History/Politics Karanga belonging to the ethnic group of Shona people settled the area of present-day Zimbabwe in the 5th century AD, predominantly occupied with mining activities. With Arab trading posts along the coast, the centuries to follow saw trade in gold and ebony flourish, resulting in considerable expansion of Karanga culture and subjugation of the Arab people. Vast areas were subject to Karanga rule right up to the mid-15th century, when they were eventually forced to give way to Rotsi domination. The arrival of the Portuguese put an end to flourishing trade with the Orient and African cultures lost significance. By the mid-19th century, the land area was divided between Shona and Zulu people. By the end of the 19th century, British settlers had started exploiting mineral resources in the region. Upon the subjugation to British rule the region became the British colony of Southern Rhodesia in 1911. The colonial government was not ready to cede power to the native African population in 1965 and proclaimed independence. Southern Rhodesia became a republic in 1970. The following years were dominated by armed conflict between both groups. Finally, an internal agreement was reached between European settlers and native Africans in 1978. In 1979 the country was renamed Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe prevailed in the 1980 elections and started to focus on the economic recovery of the country having suffered strongly from internal conflict. Problems in domestic and foreign politics in 1982 and severe draught in 1983 led to intensified conflict between European big landowners and African peasants on how to share land plots. In 1987, through a constitutional amendment, the office of prime minister was replaced by a presidency, and the authority and the duties of the head of state and the prime minister were united in one person. In the presidential elections of 1996 Mugabe was confirmed in his office. When elections were again due in 2000 (with Mugabe again victorious) the attempt to dispossess the big landowners resulted in serious political unrest. Economy Zimbabwe's economy rests upon various important pillars: In spite of a well-developed manufacturing sector (25% of gross domestic product) and a relatively strong financial services sector and mining sector, agriculture (13% of gross domestic product) remains to be the mainstay of the country's economy. In agriculture, however, periods of rapid growth are frequently interrupted by slumps caused by drought. 27% of the labour force engages in this sector, whereas mining accounts for only 5% of employment. The main branch of industry is mining (coal, copper, nickel, tin, cobalt, asbestos, gold, silver, and iron ore); essential commodities are wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing, footwear, and beverages. Major agricultural products include maize, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugar cane, peanuts, and products that derive from livestock breeding (cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs). Culture The Great Zimbabwe Ruins are the remnants of the former capital of the Monomutapa Empire. The Great Enclosure is the largest ancient structure in southern Africa. The enclosure is almost 100 metres long and 255 metres in circumference. The walls are 11 metres high in places and up to 5 metres thick. The prevailing theory is that this structure was used as a royal animal compound. Unfortunately, treasure hunters have removed most artefacts that could provide information. One of the most extraordinary features of the Great Enclosure is the Conical Tower reaching a height of 10 m and a width of 5 m at the base, which according to the opinion of archaeologists has no open spaces inside.