A glimpse of the country

Would you like to see Victoria Falls?

What is garden city of Zimbabwe?

Where do aloes grow?

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It has an area of 390, 245 sq. km., three times the size of England. Most of the country is a high plateau of 1500 m high. Zimbabwelies in the tropics but has a pleasant climate because of die high altitude.

Zimbabwe's beautiful scenery includes the famous Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. The main rivers are the Zambezi, Limpopo and Sabi. Mount Inyangani /2, 595 m/ is Zimbabwe's highest point Zimbabwe is a leading mineral producer. Harare is the capital and major city.

Climate. Zimbabwe's summer lasts from October to April and is hoot and wet. The winter from May to September is cool and dry. Temperatures range between +12C and +29C. Rainfall ranges from 38 to 130 cm.

Harare is the capital and financial center of Zimbabwe. Harare is one of the most beautiful and devel­oped cities in Africa. With one of the most temperate climates in the world, Harare is also a garden city with flower-lined streets, trees and gardens.

The city has a sub tropical climate with +21C in winter and +29C in summer. New buildings are changing die skyline of the city. Harare is surrounded by the richest farmland in the country. It has also an in­dustrial area.

Zimbabwe's main international airport is only a 20-minute ride from the city center. There are numerous educational institutions in Harare including the University of Zimbabwe and Harare Polytechnic. Harare is well served by hospitals and clinics. An excellent road system runs from the capital to the resorts of Lake Kariba and Inyange. There are excellent recreational areas.

In addition to the parks and botanical gardens there is the world famous Ewanrigg National Park where a large collection of aloes and cycads can be seen. There are a game park and a lake ideal for yachting, water skiing and speed boat racing. There are 20 golf courses round the city. There are plush five star hotels in Harare. Harare has cinemas, theatres, the national Gallery and the Museum.

Government. An executive president heads Zimbabwe's government, and appoints a Cabinet. Zim­babwe's laws are made by a parliament that consists of 150-member House of Assembly. 120 are elected, 20 are appointed by the president, and 10 are appointed by the traditional chiefs of Zimbabwe.

People. Population of Zimbabwe is about 8 million. 98% of Zimbabwians are black. 1% are whites. Most of the blacks five in rural areas; most of the whites live in cities. The largest black ethnic groups in Zim­babwe are. the Shona and Ndebele. The Shona speak Chishona and the Ndebele speak Sindebele.

Education. Primary school education is free. Prior to independence only 12% of black children who at­tended primary school proceeded to secondary schools. The country's two main languages Shona and Ndebele have been made compulsory at the Zimbabwe Junior Certificate /ZJC/. Government has built technical colleges in all provinces. Students' enrollment at the University of Zimbabwe has risen from 2, 000 in 1979 to 10, 000 in 1990. The government constructed the second University in Bulawayo.

Economy. Zimbabwe is a producer of gold, asbestos and nickel. The country has deposits of chromite, copper, tin, andgems. Crops include coffee, corn, cotton, peanuts, sugar, sunflower seeds, tea tobacco, and wheat. Cattleraising on large ranches is also important. The private sector still dominates diemain streamof economic activities. The Kariba Gorge hydroelectric complex on the Zambezi is one of the world's largest. It supplies electricity to most of Zimbabwe. Its dam forms Kariba Lake /5, 209 sq. km/.