Zimbabwe Facts
Background:
Formerly known as Southern Rhodesia, Zimbabwe gained independence and freedom from segregationist white rule in 1980. Since then Robert Mugabe has been the country's only ruler, dominating Zimbabwe’s political system since independence. The 2002 presidential elections were considered seriously flawed by the opposition and foreign observers. There is continued protest and suppression of dissent throughout the country. The farming sector, the traditional source of exports and foreign exchange, has been affected by the internal unrest seriously weakening the country’s exchange rate.
- Natural Resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals
- Area: 390,580 sq km (242,695 sq miles)
- Population: 12,747,000
- Capital: Harare
- Major languages: English, Shona, Sindebele
- Major religions: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs), Christianity, indigenous beliefs, Islam
- Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)
- Currency: ZWD – Zimbabwean Dollar
- Industries: mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel, wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages
- Exports: South Africa 11.9%, Zambia 6.3%, China 3.4% (2004)
- Imports: South Africa 47.2%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 6.2%, China 4.4% (2004)
- Airports: 404 (2004 est.) 17 with paved runways.
