NAVIGATION
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NAVIGATION
Republic of Zimbabwe
former: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia
INTRODUCTION
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Background:
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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. |
GEOGRAPHY
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Location:
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Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia |
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Geographic coordinates:
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20 00 S, 30 00 E |
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Map references:
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Africa |
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Area:
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total: 390,580 sq km
water: 3,910 sq km land: 386,670 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly larger than Montana |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 3,066 km
border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km |
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked) |
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Maritime claims:
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none (landlocked) |
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Climate:
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tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March) |
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Terrain:
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mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m
highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m |
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Natural resources:
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coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals |
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Land use:
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arable land: 8.4%
permanent crops: 0.34% other: 91.26% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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1,170 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare |
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Environment - current issues:
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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 heavy metal pollution |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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Geography - note:
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landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water |
PEOPLE
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Population:
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12,576,742
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 distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 39.7% (male 2,517,608; female 2,471,342)
15-64 years: 56.8% (male 3,600,832; female 3,542,497) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 224,631; female 219,832) (2003 est.) |
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Median age:
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total: 18.9 years
female: 18.9 years (2002) male: 18.9 years |
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Population growth rate:
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0.83% (2003 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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30.34 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Death rate:
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22.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2003 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2003 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 66.47 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 63.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 69.17 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 39.01 years
male: 40.09 years female: 37.89 years (2003 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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3.66 children born/woman (2003 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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33.7% (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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2.3 million (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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200,000 (2001 est.) |
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Nationality:
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noun: Zimbabwean(s)
adjective: Zimbabwean |
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Ethnic groups:
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African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1% |
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Religions:
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syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1% |
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Languages:
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English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write English
total population: 90.7% male: 94.2% female: 87.2% (2003 est.) |