Some facts about Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe flag

Zimbabwe is indeed the jewel of Africa. It is located south of the equator on latitude 20 degrees and on 30 degrees longitude. The country is rich in natural resources and it has one of the best climates in the world. One of the great wonders of the world the Victoria Falls is found in Zimbabwe.

• Capital City: Harare
• Languages: English, Shona and Ndebele
• Currency: Zimbabwean Dollar
• Population: 12 Million
• Annual population growth: 0.62 %
• Life expectancy: 39 years
• GDP per capita: US$2000
• Adult Literacy: 90%

The combination of a good warm climate and fertile soils makes it ideal for farming. Because of the relatively short rainfall season farmers use irrigation to supplement crops and animal water needs. For many years massive commercial farms made the country the envy of its neighbours. It supplied much of the Southern African region with food and generated most of its foreign currency from agriculture. Tobacco was the main export crop. The rich coal, nickel, and platinum minerals also gave mining and manufacturing and edge on the international scene. Diamonds have recently been discovered on the country’s western highland region.

Zimbabwe gained its independence from Britain in 1980 after an armed struggle. The historic imbalances in land ownership created a political crisis which continues to this day. This had led to the decline in the country’s once prosperous economy as political leaders struggle to reach a resolution. The future looks bright though. One can only imagine what a solution could bring in this country that has massive untapped wealth.

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