20: Zimbabwe

Geographical Aspects
Zimbabwe’s topography is different across the country, but is generally flat. The highest point lies at 8,514 feet, which is Mount Inyangani. The lowest point stands where Rundi and Save Rivers meet. “This is at an altitude of 531 feet above sea level.” (Sheehan 2004: 16) Also, within Zimbabwe there is a great plateau which is a major part of southern Africa. It is made up of 3 parts, the High Veld, Middle Veld, and the Low Veld. The High Veld consists of an enormous hump which runs 400 miles up and down (North and South), and extends 50 miles across (East and West). “The Middle Veld stands at an elevation of 2,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level.” (O’Toole 1988:9) The Low Veld is a narrow strip that lies less than 2,000 feet above sea level. Then, on the eastern border o Zimbabwe, there is a set of mountain ranges. These mountains are called the Eastern Highlands. They are very important for the region’s streams and rivers because it supplies a watershed. Now, on the western region, there are the Matopo Hills and these hills are almost covered with granite rock called Kopjes. This is mainly what Zimbabwe’s land features are.
Zimbabwe is not too fond of water features, but the couple aspects play a major role in Africa. For example, first there is the Zambezi River. This river is one of the longest rivers in Africa. “It flows for 1,650 miles.” (Sheehan 2004: 9) It leads to Victoria Falls which is another example of a major water feature. Victoria Falls is a 1.25 mile wide waterfall. It has a “350-foot chasm and from so much pressure, sends smoke like spray 1,500 feet into the air.” (O’Toole 1988: 12) Finally, the last major water feature in Zimbabwe is Lake Kariba. The large man made lake is located in the Zambezi River and lies between Zambia and Zimbabwe. These are the only basic water features that take place in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has an average, moderate climate, but it also varies because of the altitude where you are located. With October being the warmest month, summertime takes place from September through April. Then, wintertime is from May to August, where the coldest temperatures take place within the High Veld. On a daily basis, Zimbabwe’s nights are cold and the days are warmer. These temperatures, however, never get to the extreme of hot or cold. Also, “since Zimbabwe lies just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, it might be thought of as a land of tropical heat.” (O’Toole 1988: 16-17) This is what the Zimbabwe climate is like.

Social Aspects
Zimbabwe’s culture consists of many different things. Out of the average amount of 10 million people that make of Zimbabwe, most are blacks from the groups of Shona and Ndebele. About 80 percent of the population is the Shona people and about 19 percent are part of the Ndebele. Zimbabwe has three official languages, Shona, Ndebele, and English. The most popular sport in Zimbabwe is football even though rugby and cricket are also often played. Pottery, textiles, basketry, carving, and jewelry are some traditional arts made by Zimbabweans. Also, “music is a constant presence in Zimbabwe.” (O’Toole 1988:41) These are the different cultures and traditions throughout Zimbabwe.
Agriculture in Zimbabwe’s economy is a big thing. Wild plant foods are still being eaten even though there is environmental degradation, the threats of urbanization, loss of indigenous knowledge regarding their identification, preparation and preservation and other things. Though most people eat other things, most farming products are made for the people themselves. Crops that are grown are corn, wheat, sorghum, rice, barley, coffee, peanuts, tea, potatoes, beans, and many more crops. This is the importance of agriculture in Zimbabwe.
Manufacturing is very important in Zimbabwe. It is important because “a variety of industries supply goods for everyday domestic needs, and surplus manufactured goods flow through Zimbabwe’s growing export market,” (O’Toole 1988:54) and is the greatest thing that gives people money in the country. Factories are even setting up to produce imported goods a profitable idea. This is why manufacturing is important to Zimbabweans.
Mining is the oldest industry in Zimbabwe. Since colonial times, no bottomiess gold has been found, but Zimbabwe is known for its precious metal. “In 1991, almost 600,000 ounces of fine gold had been produced in Zimbabwe.” (O’Toole 1988:56) This is how mining plays a role in Zimbabwe.
Other interesting facts about Zimbabwe’s economy are that in the Northern Hemisphere, when winter comes, many flowers grow and Zimbabwe is proudly exporting 300 tons of flowers every week. Also, with the war between Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, they have taken hundreds of millions of dollars away from Zimbabwe’s economy.

Political Aspects
The government is split into many different ways. First, since Zimbabwe is divided into eight provinces, a governor is head of each province and gets help from local ministries. Also in 1987, there was a great change in Zimbabwe’s government which declared that prime minister and president of Zimbabwe were going to be combined into one office. With the politics in Zimbabwe, the Presidential Republic is lead by the President. The government controls the executive power, and also controls the legislative power with the parliament. This is how Zimbabwe’s government works.