Zimbabwe, officially Republic of Zimbabwe, landlocked republic, southern Africa, bordered on the north-west by Zambia, on the north-east and east by Mozambique, on the south by South Africa, on the south-west by Botswana, and on the west by Botswana and the Caprivi Strip of Namibia. It was formerly the British colony of Southern Rhodesia (later Rhodesia).

Population
        11,515,000
        (1996 official estimate)
Population Density
        29 people/sq km
        (76 people/sq mi)
        (1996 official estimate)
Urban/Rural Breakdown
        27%Urban
        73%Rural
Largest Cities
        Harare1,184,169
        Bulawayo   620,936
        Chitungwiza   274,035
        Mutare     31,808
        Gweru   124,735
        KweKwe     94,982
        (1992 census)
Ethnic Groups
        71%Shona
        16%Ndebele
        13%Other
        including Nyanjas, Europeans, and Asians
Languages
Official Language
        English
Other Languages
        Shona, Ndebele, other local languages
Religions
        44%Christianity
        40%orthodox beliefs
        16%Other
        including Hinduism and Islam