ZIMBABWE
(Republic of Zimbabwe)

Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, earlier (1911-64) Southern Rhodesia, (1964-79) Rhodesia, or (1979-80) Zimbabwe Rhodesia which doesn't have an outlet to the sea the country of the southern part of Africa. It divides 125-mile (200-kilometer) border in the south with the Republic of South Africa and is limited in the southwest and the West to Botswana, in the north - Zambia, and in the northeast and the East - Mozambique. The capital - Harare (earlier being called Salisbury). Zimbabwe achieved domination of the majority and the independence recognized at the international level in April, 1980 after the long period of colonial board and the 15-year period of domination of minority with prevalence of the white color founded after the so-called unilateral declaration of independence of minority (UDI) in 1965.

Zimbabwe lies almost at the height of 1000 feet (300 meters) above sea level. Its main physical feature is the wide ridge which is in 400 miles from the southwest to the northeast through the whole country, from Plumtri about border of Botswana through Gweru (before Gwelo) and Marondera (before Marandell) to the mountains Inyanga separating Zimbabwe from Mozambique. About 50 miles in width this ridge are at the height from 4000 to 5000 feet until it eventually reaches 8504 feet (2,592 meters) on the Mount Inyangani, the highest point in Zimbabwe, in east part of highlands. This ridge is known as Highveld and makes about 25 percent from the total area of the country.

From each side of this central backbone which is going down to the North to the Zambezi River and to the South to Limpopo River wider Srednegoroda plateau which at the height from 3000 to 4000 feet makes about 40 percent of the area of Zimbabwe, In addition again and generally in the south where the rivers Sabi, Lundi and Nuanetsa flow down with the plateau in Limpopo lies, Loveld who makes about 23 percent from the total area of the country lies. The lowest point in Zimbabwe lies at the height of 660 feet about Dumela where Limpopo falls into Mozambique. In Zimbabwe there are no parts which it is possible to call the desert though the sector to the northwest of Plumtri and a long belt through Loveld in the south strongly droughty.

Zimbabwe, lying to the north from the Tropic of Capricorn, completely is in tropics, but uses subtropical conditions because of its high average height. By the end of hot, dry months which proceed from August to October the monsoon winds crossing the Indian Ocean and Mozambique lead to strong orographical rainfall when they meet the shaft formed by east uplands. East areas, therefore, receive the heaviest rainfall in the country and more long rainy season (proceeding from October to April), than other part of Zimbabwe have. High height of the wide plateau of the western part of Zimbabwe helps to provide a good weather there in cool dry winter months from May to August.