Zimbabwe
| Geographical Size | 390,580 sq km |
| Population Size | 11,350,111 2008 Estimate |
| Composition of Population | Africans (Shona and Ndebele and other), mixed and Asian and white |
| Official Languages | English |
| Other Languages | Shona, Ndebele and numerous tribal dialects |
| Main Religions | Christian, Indigenous beliefs, Muslim and other |
| Climate | Summer runs from November to April and has hot, sunny days with daytime temperatures around 86°F (30°C) in the main centers and hotter in the low-lying areas. Summer coincides with the rainy season when afternoon thunderstorms are possible, although the Eastern Highlands experience rain throughout most of the year. Winter days are warm and dry (68°F/20°C), with a vast drop in temperature at night, and runs from June to August. |
| Form of Government | Parliamentary democracy |
| Last Democratic Elections | 2008 |
| Global Peace Index | No// 124- 2.182 |
| Main Economic Activities | Agriculture and mining |
| Main Trading Partners | South Africa, Botswana and China |
| Capital | Harare |
| Other Cities | Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare |
| Currency | Zimbabwean Dollar |
| Total GDP | $2.342 billion (2007 est.) |
| Per Capita Income | $200 (2007 est.) |
| Human Development Index | 151. Zimbabwe (0.513) |
| Ibrahim Index | No// 51- (31.29) |
| FIFA Rating | |
| Main Creative Industries | Film, Dance, Music, Theatre, Museums and Art galleries |
Background and History
The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the [British] South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence.
Culturally, it is named after Great Zimbabwe, the twelfth- to fifteenth-century stone-built capital of the Rozwi Shona dynasty. The name is thought to derive from dzimba dza mabwe ("great stone houses") or dzimba waye ("esteemed houses"). Cultural and religious traditions among the Shona, Ndebele and smaller groups of Tonga, Shangaan and Venda have similarities in regard to marriage practices and the belief in supernatural ancestors. Zimbabwe is known for its five UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
One of the major challenges that the country is faced with is lack of public funding for arts and culture. Most of the artists and arts organisations depend entirely on donor private sector funding. With the deteriorating political condition that the country has faced since the late 90s arts funding has further shrunken.
Sources:
1. CIA World Fact Book
2. http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Zimbabwe.html
