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| Country Guide > Africa > Zimbabwe |
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General Information
Area 390,757 sq km (150,872 sq miles). Population 12,835,000 (UN estimate 2002). Population Density 32.8 per sq km. Capital Harare. Population: 1,868,000 (UN projection 2001; including suburbs). Geography Zimbabwe is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Mozambique to the northeast, South Africa to the south and Botswana to the southwest. The central zone of hills gives rise to many rivers, which drain into the manmade Lake Kariba to the northwest, the marshes of Botswana to the west or into the Zambezi River to the northeast. The highveld landscape is dotted with kopjes (massive granite outcrops). Along the eastern border for some 350km (220 miles) is a high mountainous region of great scenic beauty, rising to 2592m (8504ft) at Mount Inyangani, the country’s highest point. Zimbabwe offers some of the best wildlife parks in southern Africa, notably Hwange (southwest), Matopos (south) and Nyanga (northeast) national parks. These, together with the Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe, are the principal attractions for visitors. Government Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1980. Head of State and Government: President Robert Mugabe (Head of Government since 1980 and Head of State since 1987). Language The official language is English, with Shona and Ndebele dialects. Religion Christianity, with traditional beliefs in rural areas, and some Hindu, Muslim and Jewish minorities. Time GMT + 2. Electricity 220/230 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications Telephone Full IDD is available. Country code: 263. Outgoing international code: 110. Mobile telephone GSM 900 network. Operators are Econet (website: www.econet.co.zw), Net*One Cellular (website: www.netone.co.zw) and Telecel Zimbabwe. Coverage is limited to a few urban areas. Fax Widely available. Internet ISPs include Africa Online (website: www.africaonline.com), Data Control, InterData and M-web Zimbabwe (website: www.mweb.co.zw). E-mail can be accessed from Internet cafes in Harare and in Mashonaland. Telegram Available at post offices and major hotels. Post Airmail to Europe takes up to one week. Press The main English-language newspapers are The Chronicle, The Financial Gazette, The Herald, The Sunday Mail and The Sunday News. Visitors should note that the carrying of the main independent newspapers (The Financial Gazette, The Independent and The Standard) can provoke a hostile reaction from ZANU (PF) supporters. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
