Zimbabwe's Geography

Zimbabwe

- Landlocked country in southern Africa
- Borders with Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km and meets Namibia at its westernmost point.








- A city of stone-walled buildings and ceremonial structures was built between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries.









- Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi were British territories.
- Zimbabwe, formerly Southern Rhodesia, would provide industrial strength.

- Nearly 98% of Zimbabwe's population are black Africans. The remaining 2%, composed of 30 000 persons are white Zimbabweans of European decent.

- GDP is $5.916 billion
- Labour force 3.856 million (2011 est.)
- Labour force by occupation: Agriculture 60%, Service 9%, Wholesale, Retail, Hotels, Restaurants: 4%, Manufacturing: 4%, Mining: 3% (2003)
- Unemployment: 94% (end of 2008)

     Zimbabwe used to be a British colony, along with Zambia and Malawi. Formally know as Southern Rhodesia, was used to provide industrial strength.  

     In 1965, Ian Smith, the prime minister of the British colony of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) issued his famous Unilaterial Deceleration of Independence, 
Britain responded with economic sanctions, 

     the withdrawal of Her Majesty's ambassador to Rhodesia, and effective travel bans on Rhodesian leaders. 


     For about five years, the government of Rhodesia, which represented only the white colonial residents, and not the black majority, remained loyal to Queen Elizabeth. In 1970, the leadership changed Rhodesia to a republic.


     The Republic survived eight years of civil war with African nationalist rebels, and was then persuaded to relinquish control. For about a year, Rhodesia reverted to British control as a sort of protectorate while the new leaders (Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe, president and prime minister.) set up their government and demobilized their rebel armies.


In 1979, by negotiated settlement, Zimbabwe declared its independence from Britain. (Within a year, Mugabe deposed Nkomo. Mugabe is still president.)

     Mugabe claimed that he was helping the poor, and making the rich pay their fair share. 
What ended up happening, was that he confiscated stuff from his political opponents, and gave it to his political supporters. 

     Land was redistributed to people who were not skilled farmers. Agricultural production dropped. Capital was allocated by political connections, rather than sound business plans. There was no point in investing, since all your work could evaporate on Mugabe's whim.