Zimbabwe

Overview

Sadly political trouble and tension seems to be the most commonly associated thing with Zimbabwe today. However, this magnificent country still has a huge amount to offer the more adventurous tourist as well as the opportunity for those on organised tours to enjoy the splendour of Victoria Falls, the screams of bungee jumps and white-water rafting and bustle of Harare and Bulawayo. Clichéd though it sounds, Zimbabwe really does have the ability to cater for all tastes. There are the historic ruins of Great Zimbabwe to explore, the mountains of Chimanimani to climb, the arts festival in Harare or simply the ability to sip a gin and tonic while watching the magnificent animals of the wildlife preserves go by. As a tourist Zimabawe is usually safe, and really does have fantastic opportunities from visits of a few days to a few weeks. It is however advisable to contact the foreign office for their latest status report. Zimbabwe is a country in Southern Africa. It is landlocked and is surrounded by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest, and Mozambique to the east and north. Although the country is landlocked, its great rivers are used for transport. The Zambezi forms the natural riverine boundary with Zambia and when in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water. The falls have...more

History

Stone cities were built in many locations in present-day Zimbabwe. The most impressive structures and the best known of these, Great Zimbabwe, were built in the 15th century, but people had been living on the site from about 400 AD. British invaders under the British South Africa Company took control of and settled parts of Zimbabwe from around 1900, calling it Southern Rhodesia. The United Kingdom 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 independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority. UN sanctions and a guerrilla struggle finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert Mugabe was the first leader of Zimbabwe, and initially pursued a policy of reconciliation towards the white population, but severity towards regions which had supported a competing guerilla group (ZAPU). From 2000, Mugabe has instituted a policy of massive land redistribution and of "national service" camps, which are suspected of political indoctrination. In recent years, the economy has shrunk 30%, inflation has shot up to over 1000%, informal homes and businesses have been destroyed, and there are shortages of food and fuel. Zimbabweans of all colours have been leaving the country in large numbers. The prospects of change seem remote at present.