www.nzira.co.zw Issue 25 51 FACTS ON ZIMBABWE GENERAL FACTS Capital: Harare Independence: 18 April 1980 Current president: Emerson Mnangagwa Political Parties: the two main political parties in Zimbabwe are Zanu-PF and MDC The total land area is 386,670 Km2 There are 10 provinces Time zone : Central African Time GMT+2 POPULATION The current population of Zimbabwe is 15,490,582 Zimbabwe’s median age is 18.7 years Zimbabwe’s population is equivalent to 0.19% of the total world population. The population density in Zimbabwe is 38 per Km2 2,123,132 people live in the capital Harare 16 official languages - the main spoken languages are Shona, Ndebele and English ENVIRONMENT •Zimbabwe is a landlocked country border by South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana •Victoria Falls is one of the seven wonders of the natural world •Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man made lake by volume •Highest point in Zimbabwe is Mount Nyangani FAUNA •The National Animal of Zimbabwe is the Sable Antelope •Home to: 350 species of mammals more than 600 birds species and 145 fish species 197 reptile species 120 amphibian species 500 species of butterflies. •One of four countries where wild African Rhinos can be found The world second largest elephant population FLORA Zimbabwe is predominantly Savanna The flame lily is the national flower 232 endemic or near endemic plant species Seven wetlands of international importance or Ramsar sites Roughly 35% of the total land area is covered by forests NATURAL RESOURCES INCLUDE: Coal Chromium Ore Copper Iron Lithium platinum ATTRACTIONS •Zimbabwe had 5 UNESCO world heritage sites with Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe being the most famous •Zimbabwe is home to the largest ruins in sub saharan Africa. •Zimbabwe has the largest concentration of rock art in Southern Africa •Zimbabwe is home to Victoria Falls, the world’s largest sheet of falling water ECONOMY •Zimbabwe’s tertiary sector makes up about 60% of the total GDP •Zimbabwe uses both the Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL) and the US dollar •Main exports are tobacco, nickel and gold •Agriculture accounts for 67% of the total employment in the country 51 embassies, and in addition there are a total of nine consulates and another two representations www.nzira.co.zw Issue 25 51
52 www.nzira.co.zw Issue 25 A world on its own, so much more to do.