Best Countries

At a glance

Capital: Harare

Official language: English

Currency: dollar

Continent: East Africa

The stone house

Zimbabwe’s history has a bright past and has recently been clouded by dark clouds.

Location

According to Countryaah, Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa. It borders on South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. The Zambezi, which feeds the Vikoria Falls, forms the northern border.

Background

Zimbabwe has been making negative headlines since the 1980s as it has been dictatorially ruled by Robert Mugabe since a coup. Since then, there have been repeated famines, power failures and, most recently, national bankruptcy in the country. The situation in the country is now so bad that tourist guides often ask the cynical question: “What did the Zimbabweans use to light their houses before they used candles? – With electricity… ”

Highlights

Zimbabwe has a long and prosperous past and has not always been as impoverished as it is today. The ancient ruins of the former empire are a testament to this. Zimbabwe means “big house made of stone”. The art of stone building had a long tradition in Zimbabwe and many buildings are now important cultural monuments and sights. Something that has existed in Zimbabwe, regardless of which ruler is in power, is the Victoria Falls The country shares this tremendous natural spectacle with Zambia.

Important facts

Alternative name: Zimbabwe

Capital: Harare

Official language: English

Currency

Currency (sub-unit)

Dollars (100 cents)

ISO 4217 code

ZWR / 935

Geography

Continent: Africa

Region: east

Geo coordinates: S -19 ° 0 ‘-55.6 “E 29 ° 9’ 17.5”

Highest mountain: Inyangani (2,592 m)

Total area: 390,757 km²

Mainland: 386,580 km²

National border: 3,066 km

Politics

Dependency: Great Britain until 1980

UN member since: 1980

Other political affiliation: Commonwealth

Form of government: republic

Economy

Export goods: Chrome ore, asbestos, copper

BSP: $ 9,073,000,000

GDP: $ 8,046,000,000

GDP purchasing power parity: $ 27.710 billion

Economic growth: -5%

GDP share of agriculture: 18.4%

GDP share of industry: 24.7%

GDP share of services: 56.9%

Inflation rate: 184.2%

Unemployment: 82%

State budget revenue: $ 1538 billion

State budget expenditure: $ 2019 billion

National debt: 116.2%

Export: $ 1,876,000,000

Import: $ 2,370,000,000

Foreign debt: $ 5,748,000,000

Electricity consumption: 14,840 million KWh

Oil consumption: 26,200 million m³

Cultivation area: 8.55%

Bovine: 5,917,000 pieces

Pigs: 637,000 pieces

Fishing: 11,900 t

Demographic data

Residents: 12,236,800

Residents in cities: 4,788,100

Average age: 19.9 years

0-14 years: 37.4%

15-64 years: 59.1%

> 65 years: 3.5%

Population growth: 0.62%

Birth rate: 28.01 / 1,000 residents

Death rate: 21.84 / 1,000 residents

Ratio men / women: 1

Fertility: 3.13 children / woman

Infant mortality: 51.71 ‰

Life expectancy men: 40.39 years

Life expectancy women: 38.16 years

Country codes and abbreviations

ISO 3166 Alpha 2: ZW

ISO 3166 Alpha 3: TWO

ISO 3166 numeric: 716

Top Level Domain: between

IOC country code: ZIM

UN / LOCODE: ZW

Source: Abbreviationfinder

Communication

Telephone connections: 390,000

Cell Phones: 470,000

Radios: 4,780,000

TV: 2,680,000

Computer: 1,690,000

Internet users: 2,140,000

Transportation

Railway lines: 3,077 km

Paved roads: 21,727 km

Cars: 710,000

Pipelines: 261

Health

Number of doctors: 1,980

Daily food intake: 2.170 kcal / resident

HIV- infected people: 2,100,000

Education

Illiteracy: 9%

History

Foundation: 1100

Last sovereign since: 1980

Religion

Main religious group: Christians

Crime

Prison inmates: 22,100

Military

Armed forces (troop strength): 26,000

Main battle tank: 40

Warplanes: 50

Defense Spending: $ 131.6 million

GETTING THERE

Arriving by plane

KLM, Delta Air Lines and Air France connect Amsterdam with Harare. Air Zimbabwe (UM) operates the Harare – Johannesburg route.

Departure fee

US $ 20, excluding children under 12 and transit passengers.

Arrival by car

Car: Road connections to Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia. The N1 motorway leads from Cape Town (South Africa) via Bloemfontein and Johannesburg / Pretoria to Harare. The N1 is a toll road. The main roads to Beitbridge and Victoria Falls are well developed. Outside the main roads the road conditions are poor. Border crossings are generally open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., on the busier routes through Beitbridge, Plumtree and Victoria Falls the crossings are often open until 8 p.m. More information from the embassy or the Zimbabwe Tourist Office (see addresses).

Bus: There are good bus connections between Johannesburg and Harare (travel time: approx. 21 hours).

Arriving by train

Trains run from South Africa through Botswana to Bulawayo and Harare (see South Africa). Rail connection to Zambia via the Victoria Falls.

ON THE GO

Traveling by plane

Air Zimbabwe (UM) connects Harare with Victoria Falls and Bulawayo.

Light aircraft offer sightseeing flights from Kariba and Victoria Falls.

On the way by car / bus

The road network is well developed, paved roads connect the larger cities and open up rural areas. Left-hand traffic.

Diesel and petrol are only available sporadically, if at all, at public filling stations.

Bus: In small and large cities, buses run at long intervals. There are bus connections between the cities. However, warnings are issued against overland journeys with public buses. These are often in poor technical condition due to a lack of spare parts and poor maintenance. Blue Arrow Luxury Coaches offers long-distance bus service to major cities, including Harare-Bulawayo (via Chivhu and Kwe Kwe).

Rental carare available at airports, hotels, and most tourist areas.

Documentation: International driver’s license.

Speed limits:
within built-up areas: 60 km / h,
on country roads: 120 km / h.

Traveling in the city

The bus connections in Harare are relatively good. You have to buy the tickets before you start your journey. There is also a bus network in Bulawayo.

Taxis cannot be hailed in the street. However, numerous taxis are available at taxi stands in the main centers and at all hotels and restaurants. You can also call a taxi by phone. The vehicles are generally equipped with taxi meters, but for longer journeys it is advisable to agree the price in advance.

On the go by train

Trains of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (Internet: www.planet.nu/sunshinecity/nrz) run daily from Harare to Bulawayo, Harare to Mutare, Gweru to Masvingo, Bulawayo to Chiredzi, Bulawayo to Victoria Falls and from Bulawayo to Plumtree.

Out and about by ship

In Kariba there are boats for rent from registered companies. Cruises across Lake Kariba and charter trips are also offered comparatively cheaply.