Country Profile · No. 54

Zimbabwe

Capital / Admin Capital

HararePopulation: ~16.6MIndependence: 1980 (April 18, following international recognition of majority rule ending white-minority rule as Rhodesia)

First Prime Minister / President

Robert Mugabe (Prime Minister 1980–1987, authoritarian President 1987–2017)Current President: Emmerson Mnangagwa (Serving since November 2017)

Geography & Borders

Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana. Landlocked southern African nation bounded by the Zambezi River in the north and the Limpopo River in the south.

Demographics & Language

Christianity (~85%+). Official: 16 official languages including English language, Shona language, Ndebele language. Major groups: Shona (~70%), Ndebele (~20%).

Economy & GDP

Mineral wealth (platinum, gold, diamonds, lithium), commercial agriculture (tobacco, corn), tourism.

Global Diaspora

1. South Africa (~1.5M–3M), 2. United Kingdom (~200k–300k), 3. United States (~30k–50k). U.S. Hubs (States / Cities): Texas (Dallas/Houston), Georgia (Atlanta), Maryland, United Kingdom

Major Conflicts

Rhodesian Bush War (Second Chimurenga) (1964–1979), Gukurahundi massacres (1983–1987), economic crises and political turmoil in the 2000s.

3 Must-See Sites

1. Great Zimbabwe National Monument (Spectacular medieval stone city ruins that gave the modern nation its name, built by the Kingdom of Zimbabwe), 2. Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) (World-famous mile-wide waterfall plunging into the deep Batoka Gorge), 3. Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe's largest wildlife reserve famous for massive herds of elephants and lions).

Quick Facts

Home to the magnificent Great Zimbabwe ruins, the largest ancient stone structure in sub-Saharan Africa outside of Egypt; historically renowned for its rich mineral deposits and dramatic waterfalls. Continent Map Top of Section Table of Contents Navigation Matrix