Geography

Zimbabwe Victoria Falls
Photo: Claire Spottiswoode

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Southern Africa bordering Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana and Zambia. It has an area of 390,580 km2 and a population approaching 13 million. The Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia and when in full flood in the February to April period, the massive Victoria Falls on the river form the world's largest curtain of falling water. The climate is tropical and moderated by altitude with the hot, wet season between November and March, followed by a cool, dry season from April to July and a hot, dry season from August to October.

The terrain is mostly high plateau with a T-shaped upland plateau called the "Highveld" running north-east to south-west across the country. Much of this plateau is ancient granite with sandy soils and many exfoliated domes, locally called Dwalas and balancing rocks, locally called Kopjes. The major river valleys lie at much lower elevations and are called the "Lowveld". The Zambezi Valley is bounded by large fault scarps of the African Rift System and the Chizarira Massif is also part of this system.

The official language is English with African languages Shona and Sindebele as well as numerous but minor tribal dialects. More details can be found at CIA Factbook.