Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Background

The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land redistribution campaign begun in 2000 caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. Opposition and labor groups launched general strikes in 2003 to pressure MUGABE to retire early; security forces continued their brutal repression of regime opponents.

Zimbabwe Information

• Population: 12,671,860 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the
• Nationality: noun: Zimbabwean(s) adjective: Zimbabwean
• Location:: Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia
• Religions:: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%
• Ethnic Groups:: African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1%
• Land Boundaries:: total: 3,066 km border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km
• Area: total: 390,580 sq km water: 3,910 sq km land: 386,670 sq km
• Coast Line: 0 km (landlocked)
• Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)
• Terrain: mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east
• Maritime Claims: none (landlocked)
• Land Use: arable land: 8.32% permanent crops: 0.34% other: 91.34% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and
• Natural Resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals
• Highways: total: 18,338 km paved: 8,692 km unpaved: 9,646 km (1999 est.)
• Railways: total: 3,077 km narrow gauge: 3,077 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified) (2003)
• Ports & Harbours: Binga, Kariba
• Airports: 404 (2003 est.)