Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the north, and Mozambique to the east. It covers about 390,757 square kilometers. The capital and largest city is Harare. Official languages are English, Shona, and Ndebele, with many people speaking multiple languages. The population is around 16 million.

Geography and heritage are notable features. The Zambezi River forms part of the northern boundary and hosts Victoria Falls on the border with Zambia. Hwange National Park is a major wildlife reserve, and the Great Zimbabwe ruins near Masvingo are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The climate is tropical savanna, with a rainy season from November to April.

Government and politics. Zimbabwe is a unitary republic with a president as head of state and government and a bicameral Parliament (National Assembly and Senate). The current president is Emmerson Mnangagwa, in office since 2017. The country holds multi-party elections, though the ruling party has held power since independence in 1980. The 2013 constitution regulates governance and rights.

Economy and society. The economy relies on mining (gold and platinum group metals) and agriculture (notably tobacco and maize). Tourism contributes significantly through natural and cultural heritage sites. Since the late 2000s, Zimbabwe has faced macroeconomic instability and inflation; it has used a multicurrency system and has pursued currency reforms. The population is predominantly Christian, with Shona and Ndebele cultures forming the core of the social landscape.

History. Modern Zimbabwe emerged from British colonial rule as Southern Rhodesia and gained independence in 1980. The pre-colonial Kingdom of Zimbabwe built Great Zimbabwe. In the 2000s, land reform policies and political tensions contributed to economic disruption and international isolation. A 2017 political transition led to Mnangagwa’s presidency.