Zimbabwe

Overview The country we have been working on is Zimbabwe. We have learned a lot about the country. There are 9 different topics that we have talked about and researched on this report: statistics, geography, history, economy, religion, culture, and other. When I was gathering statistics I couldn't believe that they only live to 40 years old, or in religion that most of the country is Christian. Zimbabwe is in the tropics but it says their rainy season is also their warmest season. I wouldn't want that because it would be nice for it to be warm, but that would stink if it was raining all the time. Zimbabwe's economy has been having problems for a long time. Since they gave away so many white farmers now they have had to import grains driving up the cost for food which has contributed to a lot of social problems, such as food shortages or inflation. In Zimbabwe there have been a lot of different groups who have ruled this country, which has contributed to a diverse and fasinating culture. They still have traditional dancing, which would be really cool to go and see. Zimbabwe's transportation is pretty similar to ours. They have highways and railways just like Washington does and there offical language is english, which really surprised me because you would think most african countries speak a different language. All in all I enjoyed working on this website and it was a fun way to learn about an interesting country. - Ally

The country my classmates and I have been working on is Zimbabwe. I personaly have learned a lot about this country. The most interesting fact I learned was that the inflation rate went up by 10,453% at the end of 2007 because when Robert Mugabe printed out all of the money in the year of 2007. Another interesting fact I learned was the life span of the male and female is only about 35 to 40 years old because of the lack of food and the poverty. I learned that the religon of Zimbabwe was mostly Christian and that the most common language is English. I also learned that the people of Zimbabwe have the same animals like cattle, goats, and sheep like we do in the US. Also when I read about how they have the same trasportation like cars, and trians. It was intersting to me when I read that Zimbabwe was smaller than California and slightly larger than Montana. To summarize, I vthought this was an interesting way to learn about a different countries religion, economy, culture, and history. - Patrick

I have been researching about my country Zimbabwe and I've learned a lot about Zimbabwe. I've learned about its government, geography, economy, history, and many other things that are in Zimbabwe. - David Chang

Statistics
 * Land area:** 149,293 sq mi (386,669 sq km)
 * Total area:** 150,804 sq mi (390,580 sq km)
 * Population (2007 est.):** 12,311,143 (growth rate: 0.6%); birth rate: 27.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 51.1/1000; life expectancy: 39.8; density per sq mi: 82
 * Telephones:** 331,700
 * GDP - real growth rate:** -6.1% (2007 est.)
 * Inflation Rate:** 10,453% (2007 est.)

Geography 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. Zimabawe is in the tropics, although markedly moderated by altitude. There is a dry season and a short cold season. The rainy season is the warmest season of the year and goes from November to March. Zimababwe is mostly high plateau and slightly larger than Montana. It is the 59th largest country in the world (although below average size for Africa) just bigger than Japan but smaller than Paraguay, with a total area of 390,580 km², of which 3,910 km² comprises lakes and reservoirs. The lowest point in Zimbabwe is Junction of Runde and Save Rivers 162 meters. The highest point is Inyangani 2,592 meters. Also some hazzards are floods, droughts, and storms. The trees are teak, mahogany, knobthorn msasa, and baobab. This is a satalite view of Zimbabwe.
 * [[image:http://i.infoplease.com/images/mzimbab.gif caption="Map of Zimbabwe"]] ||
 * Some of Zimbabwe's Plants**
 * Some of Zimbabwe's Plants**
 * [[image:http://www.mccsc.edu/~jcmslib/jaguar/zimbabwe2/mahoganeytree.gif width="83" height="125"]]The mahogany tree wood is the finest wood. ||~  ||

History The remains of early humans, dating back 500,000 years, have been discovered in present-day Zimbabwe. The following provides the history of Zimbabwe: 1000 AD - Shona people began their rule and built a city called Zimbabwe 1400s - Karanga branch of the Shona established the Mwanamutapa Empire 1500's - Rowzi branch rebelled and formed the Changamire Empire 1500s - Christianity was introduced by the Portuguese explorers 1800-1900's - European slave traders establish coastal ports for the increasing traffic in slaves destined for the Americas 1830s - Nguni people from the south defeated Changamire the empire and established a powerful warrior kingdom 1888 - Lobengula, the ruler, signed an agreement that granted mineral rights to the British South African Company 1893 - The British South African Company occupied the region and called the territory Rhodesia 1897 - Great Britain recognized southern and northern Rhodesia as separate territories 1923 - Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing British Colony 1953 - Great Britain set up the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, which included the territories of Southern and Northern Rhodesia 1963 - The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was dissolved 1964 - Northern Rhodesia became Zambia 1964 - Southern Rhodesia became known as Rhodesia 1965 - Prime Minister, Ian Smith, declared Rhodesia independent. Great Britain declared this action illegal and banned trade with Rhodesia 1966 - The United Nations imposed sanctions on Rhodesia 1969 - A new constitution was introduced to prevent black Africans from ever gaining control of the government 1970 - Rhodesia declared itself a republic 1970-1974 - Civil War between government troops and black guerrillas 1977-1979 - Prime Minister Smith began to make plans to establish a new government with a majority of black leaders Apr. 1979 - Election resulted in a majority of black leaders Apr. 1979 - Abel T. Muzorewa became the first black Prime Minister May 1979 - Zimbabwe proclaimed independence Jun. 1979 - The nation of Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, was formed 1980 - Great Britain recognized the country's independence and Rhodesia's name was officially changed to Zimbabwe 2000 - In a referendum held Zimbabwe voters rejected a new constitution which included provisions that called for redistribution of white-owned farmland to blacks ** media type="youtube" key="1jfEqJx1Xz8" height="344" width="425"
 * 7**** 00AD - Arabian and Persians trade with ivory, rhino horn, gold, shells and slaves

Economy Zimbabwe's economy is basically agricultural. The formerly strong commercial farming sector was thrown into disarray with the expropriation of white-owned farms that began in 2000, and the replacement of large efficient farms with smaller ones worked by inexperienced farmers. Formerly an exporter of foodstuffs, Zimbabwe now must import grains. Corn is the chief food source, and cotton and tobacco the principal cash crops. Other products include wheat, coffee, sugarcane, and peanuts. There are also tea plantations in the country; dairying is important in the high veld. Sheep, goats and pigs are raised. Forests in SE Zimbabwe yield valuable hardwoods, including teak and mahogany. The country is endowed with a wide variety of mineral resources, and there is extensive mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, chromium ore, and iron ore). Among Zimbabwe's industrial products are steel, wood products, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, and beverages. Most of Zimbabwe's power is generated by a hydroelectric station at Kariba Dam on the Zambezi River. The country has good road and rail networks and domestic and international air service. The main exports are cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles, and clothing. Imports include machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, and fuels. South Africa is by far the largest trading partner, followed by China, Japan, and Zambia. Some of Zimbabwe's industries are mining, steel, wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing, footwear, and beverages. Some of its agriculture products are corn, cotton, tabacco, wheat, coffee, sugar cane, peanuts, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
 * Economy:**
 * [[image:http://www.mccsc.edu/~jcmslib/jaguar/zimbabwe2/wheat.gif width="125" height="83"]] || Wheat is one of many agriculture products of Zimbabwe. ||
 * [[image:http://www.mccsc.edu/~jcmslib/jaguar/zimbabwe2/sheep2.gif width="125" height="83"]] || Sheep are one of Zimbabwe's agriculture products. ||
 * [[image:http://www.mccsc.edu/~jcmslib/jaguar/zimbabwe2/pig.gif width="125" height="83"]] || Pigs are one of Zimbabwe's agriculture products too. ||

Government Parliamentary democracy.- a political system in which the legislature (parliament) selects the government, according to party strength as expressed in elections; by this system, the government acquires a dual responsibility: to the people as well as to the parliament. President is Robert Mugabe. Prime Minister is Morgan Tsvangirai. Vice President is Joseph Msika and Joice Mujuru. Deputy Prime Minister is Thokozani Khuphe and Arther Mutambara.

This is the president of Zimbabwe.

Religion Part christian, part indigenous beliefs. - Christian 25% - Indigenous beliefs 24% - Muslim and other 1%

Even though most of the country is christian, people still continue to believe different religions. The muslims that believe in Islam make up one percent of the the Zimabawe's religious population, but it still continues to grow. Some political elites tend to be associated with a christian churches, but there is no correlation between religious groups and politacal affiliation.

This is chapel in Zimbabwe.

Culture Languages: English (official), Shona, Ndebele (Predominant Afican Languages), numerous minor tribal dialects 82% of the population belong to the Shona ethnic group, while 14% are Ndebele. There are small minorities of mixed and Asian descent. Since independence in 1980, the European population of Zimbabwe has fallen to under 100,000. About half the population practices a blend of Christian and indigenous religions; the balance of the people are split nearly evenly between the two. Dance in Zimbabwe is an enormously diverse and important aspect of the Zimbabwean culture, tradition, spirituality and history.There are many ritual dances reflecting the lifestyles of the people, although the traditional rationale may have changed throughout the years. The most important element of all African dance is rhythm using repetition as a necessary constituent. Ethnic diversity is also a key factor in influencing the dances of the Zimbabwean culture. These dances are self-reflective, for the entire community because all music and dance are communal events. Dance to Zimbabweans is a very spiritual, powerful tool that carries on traditions, and chronicles the important events of their history and culture. These are traditional dancers in a park in Zimbabwe.

Social Problems Some of the social problems in zimbabwe are:


 * Food:**
 * Food shortages due to drought and the agricultural disruption caused by the seizure of white-owned farms led Mugabe to proclaim a state of disaster in April.


 * The early months of 2006 were marked again by food shortages, which led to hyperinflation throughout the year this forced the government to replace its existing currency with a revalued one.


 * Political:**
 * In August the government ordered 2,900 white farmers to leave their farms, by 2002 nearly 600 white farmers remained.

>
 * Political conditions remained unsettled in 2003, as opposition leaders called strikes in protest against Mugabe's rule and the government and its allies responded with arrests and small-scale violence.
 * In May–July, 2005, the government began demolished illegal shantytowns and markets in Harare and other areas, displacing hundreds of thousands. The move appeared intended to disperse Zimbabwe's urban poor, a group that has strongly supported Mugabe's opponents, The action was widely denounced as a violation of human rights and even provoked defections from the governing party.


 * In Sept., 2005, Mugabe signed constitutional amendments that reinstituted a national senate (abolished in 1987) and that nationalized all land, converting any ownership rights into leases. The amendments also ended the right of landowners to challenge government expropriation of land in the courts.


 * In March a number of opposition leaders, including MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, were severely beaten and arrested by the police. These acts provoked widespread international condemnation, but neighboring African leaders, meeting in Tanzania, did not publicly criticize Mugabe and called for removing international sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Other //Railways:// total: 3,077 km (2002). //Highways:// total: 97,440 km ; paved: 18,514 km ; unpaved: 78,926 km (2002 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).
 * Transportation:**

Elephants, lions, buffalo, hippotamus, rhinoceros, gorillas, giraffes,zebra, fox. Animals of Zimbabwe: Here are some animals that live in the wild in Zimbabwe: elephants, lions, buffalo, hippotamus, rhinoceros, gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, giraffes, waterbuck, zebra, warthogs, fox, otter, hare, bats, shrew, and scaley anteaters. Some domestic animals are cattle, goats, sheep, hogs, donkeys, and chickens.
 * Animals:**
 * [[image:http://www.mccsc.edu/~jcmslib/jaguar/zimbabwe2/elephant.gif width="125" height="83" caption="external image elephant.gif"]] || The Elephant is the largest animal on land. The elephant has the largest ears in the world and the largest teeth too. ||  ||
 * [[image:http://www.mccsc.edu/~jcmslib/jaguar/zimbabwe2/giraffe2.gif width="117" height="83" caption="external image giraffe2.gif"]] || The Giraffe is the tallest of all animals. They can grow up to 18 feet tall. Giraffe's eyes are able to see in all directions without turning their head. ||
 * [[image:http://www.mccsc.edu/~jcmslib/jaguar/zimbabwe2/Buffalo.gif width="125" height="83" caption="external image Buffalo.gif"]] || The Buffalo got their name beacause it soaks in the water for hours at a time. ||
 * [[image:http://www.mccsc.edu/~jcmslib/jaguar/zimbabwe2/lion.gif width="125" height="83" caption="external image lion.gif"]] || The Lion is the most famous of the cat family. It is a relative to the tiger, leopard, puma, and the lynx. ||
 * [[image:http://www.mccsc.edu/~jcmslib/jaguar/zimbabwe2/hippo.gif width="125" height="83" caption="external image hippo.gif"]] || The Hippo can weigh 40 pounds at birth and then after a year or so they can weigh over 600 pounds. A hippo's stomach is 10 feet long. ||
 * [[image:http://www.mccsc.edu/~jcmslib/jaguar/zimbabwe2/Rhino.gif width="125" height="83" caption="external image Rhino.gif"]] || The Rhino is the third largest animal on land. It can run as fast as a horse for a short distance. It weighs 6,000 pounds and it is protected by the law so you can't hunt them anymore. ||
 * [[image:http://www.mccsc.edu/~jcmslib/jaguar/zimbabwe2/Rabbit.gif width="125" height="83" caption="external image Rabbit.gif"]] || The Hare grows up to 25 inches long. They are often mistaken for rabbits. They have a split upper lip. ||

football, cricket and tennis.
 * Sports:**

media type="youtube" key="kaJ8fn5lq2o" height="295" width="480" This is the Zimbabwe national anthem.
 * National Anthem:**

O lift high the banner, the flag of Zimbabwe The symbol of freedom proclaiming victory; We praise our heros' sacrifice, And vow to keep our land from foes; And may the Almighty protect and bless our land. O lovely Zimbabwe, so wondrously adorned With mountains, and rivers cascading, flowing free; May rain abound, and fertile fields; May we be fed, our labour blessed; And may the Almighty protect and bless our land O God, we beseech Thee to bless our native land; The land of our fathers bestowed upon us all; From Zambezi to Limpopo May leaders be exemplary; And may the Almighty protect and bless our land.

[|http://www.lyricsondemand.com] Ally's Website Resources: [|National Geographic Africa Info] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/**Zimbabwe** - 463k www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108169.html - 47k