Zimbabwe

Overview

Zimbabwe is a land locked country located in southern Africa that hosts the Victoria Falls among its many natural attractions. Zimbabwe boasts a literacy rate of above 90 %, one of the highests in Africa, and there are three officially recognised languages: English, Shona and Ndebele.

The Limpopo River basin in Zimbabwe is defined by Mzingwane River basin and stretches across nine districts: Umzingwane, Mangwe, Matobo, Gwanda, Beitbridge, Insiza, Mberengwa, Mwenezi and Chiredzi. Land use in the upper Mzingwane River basin consists mostly of commercial farming while communal land and subsistence agriculture are practiced in the lower basin. 

Key Indicators and Data

Capital city Harare
Population (2002) 11 631 657
Population in the Limpopo River basin (2007) 1 140 833
Date of independence 1980
Human Development Index (2008) insufficient data available at this time
Access to improved drinking water sources (2006) Urban: 98 %
Rural: 72 %
Access to improved sanitation (2006) Urban: 63 %
Rural: 37 %
GDP (2005/2009 est) US$ 3,4 billion (total)
US$ 9 (PPP-per capita)
Economic Growth Rate (est. 2008) 3,7 %
Primary sectors (2009 est) Agriculture: 19,1 %
Industry: 23,9 %
Services: 56,9 %
Main exports platinum, cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing
Neighbouring countries Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia 
Area of land in the Limpopo River basin 62 900 km2
Percentage of the Limpopo River basin 15 %

Sources: Central Statistics Office (2010), Limpopo Basin Permanent Technical Committee(2010), World Health Organization (2008), International Monetary Fund (2009),Globalis GVU UNEP (2009), World Factbook (2009), BBC Monitoring (2009), UNHDR (2008).

 
Coat of Arms for Zimbabwe.
( click to enlarge )