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Classrooms: ZIMBABWE

GENERAL STATISTICS

Environment
The country consists mainly of a high rolling plateau. Most of the urban population live in the High Veld, an area of fertile land, with moderate rainfall and mineral wealth. The climate is tropical, tempered by altitude. Soil depletion is very severe, above all on communal farms, where subsistence agriculture is practiced.

Society
Peoples: The majority of Zimbabweans, 94 per cent, are of Bantu origin from the Shona (founders of the first nation in the region) and the Ndebele group (a Zulu people that arrived in the 19th century).

Religions: African traditional beliefs 55 per cent; Christian 45 per cent, predominantly Anglican.

Languages: English, official. Most of the people speak their own Bantu languages.

Political parties: Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), authoritarian, emerged in December 1987 from the fusion of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), led by Robert Mugabe, and the Zimbabwe People’s Union (ZAPU), led by Joshua Nkomo; Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union, ZCTU; Zimbabwe Unity Movement (ZUM), of Edgar Tekere; Movement for Democratic Change (MDC); Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga, conservative; Regional ZANU-Ndonga party, of right-wing nationalist Ndabaningi Sithole; Emmanuel Magoche’s Democratic Party split from the ZUM in 1991.

Social organizations: Organization of Rural Associations for Progress; Council of Trade Unions of Zimbabwe, National Students Union of Zimbabwe.

The State
Official name: Republic of Zimbabwe.

Administrative divisions: 8 Provinces.

Capital: Harare 1,686,000 people (1999).

Other cities: Bulawayo 794,600 people; Chitungwiza 390,600; Mutare 168,100 (2000).

Government: Robert Mugabe, president since December 1987, re-elected in 1990, 1996 and 2002.
Unicameral Legislature: the House of Assembly, with 150 members.

National holiday: April 18, Independence Day (1980).