The Republic of Zimbabwe is a landlocked South African country that is bounded by Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. It is separated from Namibia by 511 feet of land belonging to Botswana.
Currently, Zimbabwe has a presidential type of government, with upper and lower chambers of Parliament, and an executive president. Robert Mugabe served as prime minister from 1980 to 1987, then as president from 1987 to 2017, when he resigned under threat of impeachment. Under the Mugabe regime, there were many reports of human rights violations, disputed elections, and media oppression.
The majority black population of Zimbabwe are primarily Bantu, separated into two principal language groups, and several ethnic groups. The Mashona makeup about 75% of the Zimbabwean people, and have inhabited the area the longest. The Matabele are centered in southwestern Zimbabwe, and make up about 20% of the population. Arriving in the region about a hundred and fifty years ago, they controlled the majority Mashona until Britain established Rhodesia in 1890.
Making up less than 1% of the population, white Zimbabweans are primarily of English origin, but include Afrikaners from South Africa and Portuguese from Mozambique, as well. Since the 1870s, emigration by whites have reduced the country's white population from about 300,000 to fewer than 50,000.
English is spoken by most of the country's white population, and understood by about half of the black population. English is the chief language used in Zimbabwe's judiciary and educational systems, but Zimbabwe has sixteen official languages. English is used primarily urban areas, but not much in the country's rural areas. The Bantu languages, Shona and Sindebele, are the most commonly used languages in Zimbabwe.
At more than 90%, Zimbabwe has the highest literacy rate in Africa, although the country's literacy rates and educational progress has decreased in recent years, as more than 20,000 teachers have left the country since 2007. Public education was made free in 1980, but the government has steadily increased fees attached to enrollment since 1988. Today, half of the children of Zimbabwe have not continued their education past primary school.
There are several independent and religious-affiliated primary and secondary schools in Zimbabwe, although tuition fees are significantly higher than those charged by public schools. Wealthy Zimbabweans generally enroll their children in independent schools rather than the country's public schools.
There are seven public universities in Zimbabwe, as well as private schools operated by churches, and a network of teacher training schools, nursing schools, and vocational colleges.
Approximately 80% of Zimbabweans are Christians, mostly Protestants belonging to Pentecostal African Churches, although the Roman Catholic Church and other Protestant denominations also have a presence in the country. More than 10% of the population practices indigenous African religions, and others blend indigenous religious practices with Christianity. About 1% of the population are Muslims, mostly residing near the Mozambique border. Approximately 7% of Zimbabweans have no religious practices.
The region of Zimbabwe was inhabited during the Stone Age, as evidenced by Stone Age implements and tools that were found in several areas, and stone structures built between the 9th and 13th centuries are evidence of an ancient city in southeastern Zimbabwe.
Although the Portuguese colonized parts of south-central Africa in the 1500s, it wasn't until the late 1800s that Europeans came into the Zimbabwe region. In 1888, Cecil Rhodes was given a concession for mineral rights in Zimbabwe from local chiefs. Representing the British South Africa Company, he soon persuaded the United Kingdom to bring the region under a British sphere of influence.
In 1895, the British named the region Rhodesia, after Cecil Rhodes, and it was placed under the administration of the British South Africa Company.
In 1923, the white government of Southern Rhodesia was given a choice of becoming part of the Union of South Africa or remaining a separate entity within the British Empire. They chose the latter, and Southern Rhodesia was annexed by the UK. Until 1980, Rhodesia was a self-governing colony with its own legislature, military, and police, largely controlled by its minority white population.
In 1953, Southern Rhodesia was briefly joined in a multiracial Central African Federation with Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, but the federation was dissolved in 1963.
In 1965, Rhodesia declared independence from Britain, act that Britain and the international community deemed unconstitutional. Sanctions were placed on Rhodesia. It wasn't until 1979 that independence was granted. Robert Mugabe's party won a majority in its first election.
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The national carrier of Zimbabwe is headquartered at Harare International Airport. Owned by the Government of Zimbabwe, the carrier offers flights to Harare, Bulawayo, Kariba, Victoria Falls, Lusaka, and Johannesburg. Booking procedures, check-in, its customer service plan, special offers, and baggage policies are spelled out, along with flight information, and an overview of its loyalty programs and cargo services.
http://www.airzimbabwe.aero/
The site promotes a documentary that tells the story of an event that occurred on September 16, 1994 at the Ariel Primary School in rural Zimbabwe, in which more than sixty school children witnessed a disc-shaped craft land behind the school building, with some of the children describing being approached by two strange beings who came from the craft. The promo and trailer for the film are posted here, along with a fundraising appeal, press information, and photographs.
http://www.arielphenomenon.com/
Hockey Association of Zimbabwe
Hockey was introduced to Zimbabwe in 1900, in the City of Bulawayo, when games were played between home-born white settlers and colonial-born white settlers, and the first organized clubs were established in 1903. The HAZ was organized in 1925, and is responsible for the administration of the game, at all levels. Teams, fixtures, and a calendar of events are posted, along with its rules and regulations.
http://www.zimhockey.co.zw/
National Trade Development and Promotion Organization of Zimbabwe
ZimTrade was established in 1991 and a private-public partnership between the Government of Zimbabwe and the private sector. The organization assists exporters in Zimbabwe to develop, promote, and facilitate the export of Zimbabwean goods and services internationally and acts as an advocate for policies friendly to exporters. Its services, policy information, and contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.tradezimbabwe.com/
The business directory lists Zimbabwe businesses, services, schools, and organizations, categorizing them by topic. Viewers may browse topic categories and subcategories, search by keyword, or view popular or featured sites. Addresses, hours of operation, and contacts are listed, along with a map showing the location of the business. Business owners or operators may submit businesses that are not already listed for consideration.
http://thedirectory.co.zw/
Offering views of the gorges of Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls, the hotel was built by the British in 1904 as housing for workers on the Cape-to-Cairo Railway, and has since been renovated into a luxury hotel. Its history, awards, and guest testimonials are published, along with photographs and descriptions of the rooms and common areas, its dining facilities, and other features and amenities. Reservations may be made online.
http://www.victoriafallshotel.com/
Created and maintained by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, the site promotes the Republic of Zimbabwe as a travel or tourist destination, offering a guide to popular destinations and national parks within the country, travel tips, and information about local arts and crafts, activities and events. Descriptions and highlights of popular tour packages are set forth, and the results of visitor exit surveys and a database of registered tour operators are included.
http://www.zimbabwetourism.net/
The history and a profile of the Republic of Zimbabwe are provided by the United States Central Intelligence Agency, along with a map showing its location in Africa and that of its major cities, an overview of its geography, natural resources, people, culture, and languages. An analysis of its economy, energy resources, communications systems, and transportation infrastructure is included.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html
The Zimbabwe travel and tourism agency puts together trips to Zimbabwe, offering a range of guest accommodations that may include exclusive hotels and lodges, as well as more humble bed and breakfasts, which are highlighted here, along with photographs and a description of their features and amenities. Popular destinations, packaged safaris, activities, and an overview of Zimbabwe’s community and conservation programs.
http://zimbabwe.com/
Established in 1948, ZCM operates as a Trust, offering an education in music, and awards the National Certificate in Music, the Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz and Ethnomusicology, and other degree programs, which are highlighted here, along with its teaching philosophy, library services, admission policies and procedures, online registration, and announcements.
http://www.zcm.co.zw/
ZC is the national governing body for competitive cricket play within the Republic of Zimbabwe. Responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of the game, the organization is a full member of the International Cricket Council. Its management, publications, terms and conditions, and a calendar of events are posted to the site, along with a list of officers and contacts.
http://www.zimcricket.org/
The online shopping site offers a variety of now defunct Zimbabwe banknotes, which are sold as collectible or novelty items. The notes offered for sale are of denominations resulting from the country’s economic collapse in the late 2000s, all of which were once used as currency, but are no longer legal tender. Available banknotes are pictured, with prices, terms of sale, and historical information.
https://zimbabwedollars.net/
The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Zimbabwean government are highlighted on its official website, with links to its registration of births, deaths, and marriages services, immigration and visas, trade and investment, finance and resource mobilization, as well as access to various government documents, and a guide to other government services, programs, and regulatory bodies.
http://www.zim.gov.zw/
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
The NGO Forum is a coalition of human rights non-governmental organizations in Zimbabwe, each with their own objectives, but related to a concern about the nature and levels of organized violence and torture by state agents, their ancillaries, and others. Member organizations and membership policies are featured, and several publications are available for download, or upon request, and may be found by search.
http://www.hrforumzim.org/
The ZIA is a governmental body set up to promote and facilitate foreign and local investment. Its main functions, offices, and contacts are posted to the site, along with a list of government organizations and ministries dealing with businesses and investments, an overview of the country, its economic outlook, and demographics, as well as investment sectors, an investor guide, and contacts.
http://www.investzim.com/
Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency
ZIMSTAT is a corporate body established by the Census and Statistics Act of 2007, charged with being the chief source of official statistics in Zimbabwe. Its site includes statistical databases, a quarterly digest of statistics, a compendium of statistics, population figures, tourism and culture statistics, and statistics on poverty, judicial and living conditions, education and gender, and employment.
http://www.zimstat.co.zw/
Trading as Zimpost, and licensed by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Posts is a postal, communication, and financial services provider in Zimbabwe, with a network of more than 230 outlets spread throughout the country. Its services are highlighted, and each of its branches is posted to the site, with physical addresses and contacts.
http://www.zimpost.co.zw/
ZIMRA was established in 2001 as a successor to the Department of Taxes and the Department of Customs and Excise, created by the Revenue Authority Act of 2000. Board members are posted to the site, with information about the country’s value-added tax, customs and excise duties and guidelines, individual and company taxes, capital gains taxes, presumptive taxes, notices, and forms.
http://www.zimra.co.zw/
Zimbabwe’s primary and secondary government schools, Catholic and independent schools can be found in this guide. Teachers and headmasters can post information to targeted audiences, parents can learn about available schools and check on the status of their child’s school, and students can use the guide to compare their school to neighboring schools. Schools that aren’t already listed may be submitted for free, with extra advertising possibilities.
http://www.zimbabweschoolsguide.co.zw/