Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in south-central Africa, is slightly smaller than California. It is bordered by Botswana on the west, Zambia on the north, Mozambique on the east, and South Africa on the south.
Population
12,236,805 (growth rate: 0.6%); birth rate: 28.0/1000; infant mortality rate: 51.7/1000; life expectancy: 39.3; density per sq mi: 82
Land Area
149,293 sq mi (386,669 sq km); total area: 150,804 sq mi (390,580 sq km)
Monetary unit
Zimbabwean dollar Language
English (official), Shona, Ndebele (Sindebele), numerous minor tribal dialects
Ethnicity African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1%
Religion syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%
Transportation Railways: total: 3,077 km (2002). Highways: total: 18,338 km; paved: 8,692 km; unpaved: 9,646 km (1999 est.). Waterways: the Mazoe and Zambezi rivers are used for transporting chrome ore from Harare to Mozambique. Ports and harbors: Binga, Kariba. Airports: 430 (2002) .
