Geography of Zimbabwe
(Map Courtesy of CIA World Factbook)
Geography of Zimbabwe
(Map Courtesy of CIA World Factbook)
Capital: Harare
Country Population: 13 million
Bordering countries: Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa
Area: 390, 580 square kilometers
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Ethnic groups:
Shona and
Ndebele
Africans of these two ethnic groups comprise the majority of the population. However, there remains a small population (about 1%) of dominating white settlers who claim the majority of arable land. The control of this land by the whites has spurred divisions between the two races. The population of white Rhodesians grew to over 277,000 in the late 1970s and has since declined due to emigration.
Language:
English is
the official language of Zimbabwe
Shona is spoken
by the majority of the population
Matabele,
the language of the Ndebele and various dialects
Religion:
Most of the
population (about 50%) practice a combination of Christian and indigenous
beliefs. The other portion of society strictly practice one or the
other. Islam is practiced by a very small percentage of Zimbabweans.
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Infant Mortality Rate: 62/1000 births
Life Expectancy: 37 years
Fertility Rate: 3.3 children born/woman
AIDS:
-People living with HIV/AIDS: 1.5 million (1999)
-AIDS deaths: 160,000 (1999)
For
more statistics, visit the CIA
World Factbook
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The green represents Country's vegetation and land resources. The yellow represents the country's mineral wealth. The red represents the blood spilt during the liberation struggle. Black represents the black majority. The Zimbabwe Bird is the National Emblem of Zimbabwe. White triangle for peace and the "way forward". Red Star for internationalism (and reflects the ruling party's socialist credentials). Zeljko Heimer, 19 Nov 1995 and Bruce Berry, 20 Nov 1995 |
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The Mbira, also known as the thumb piano, is a traditional instrument used in Zimbabwe. Mbira music is classified as the Chimurenga style, a word from the Shona people meaning struggle. This music, a traditional expression of struggle, was especially important during the the struggle for independence in the 1970s (Mbira Page).
For more about the history of this music and some of its artists, please visit Mbira.
(Photos on this page courtesy of goafrica.about.com and
www.tiac.net)
